Boehner: I ‘made a mistake’ by advocating raising the retirement age

That's the headline, but did he really say that he made a mistake?

Or is he just a bit afraid at the reaction now that the horse has left the gate?

WASHINGTON – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) walked back his prior remarks that Social Security benefits should be cut by raising the retirement age, but added that the idea still "ought to be on the table."

"I made a mistake when I did that because I think having the conversation about how big the problem is is the first step," Boehner told CNN's Parker/Spitzer Wednesday night. "And once the American people understand how big the problem is, then you can begin to outline an array of possible solutions."http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/boehner-mistake-advocating-raising-retirement-age/

Emphasis mine.

I think he might mean he's sorry people are mad that he advocates raising the retirement age?

At least change your headline RawStory! And you too, The Hill. Sheesh Don't mislead us just because he loosely used the word mistake in the discussion.

What is it with politicians and the media these days

And since we're having the debate? Why don't we lower the age and open up more jobs that way and create some new ones so that more people keep paying into the system? That makes as much if not more sense for the "discussion."

He's one of the most out-of-touch and elitist politicians out there.
Don't expect him to have the courage to raise the real budget-buster looming over American politics, the insane defense spending, he'll just pander to the right-wing base and threaten to cut food stamps or raise retirement ages, then backpedal on those comments (like here) while nothing gets done.

reply to post by Blackmarketeer

Anyone who expects any kind of logical actions out of this Congress is more than likely delusional.

In this case, the subject (raising the retirement age) along with his words and the media's "reporting" of them just hit a couble sore spot with me.

Raising the retirement age is damn well "still on the table." And you're right...they will make sacrificial "cuts" and leave the real insane spending alone. After all, they know who lines their pockets and pulls their strings.

I think he made a mistake in the sense that his political polllsters told him what he said could jeopardize his chance of reelection.

The extreme right has been clamoring about the "unsustainability" of SS for years, and they are using the financial crisis as an excuse to further erode the social contract. Meanwhile the top 1% and Wall ST are doing better than ever. Their investments in China are paying handsomely.

Originally posted by ~Lucidity
reply to post by Blackmarketeer

 

Anyone who expects any kind of logical actions out of this Congress is more than likely delusional.

Oh they are are logical. Just ask yourself....If I was in congress and concerned with (a) power and (b) the money that corporations give me...how would I act.

For example the House GOP voted to eliminate the public financing for candidates yesterday.

That sticks it to candidates that don't have corporate backing or have a spare 10 million to get a campaign started.

It is there way of limiting new blood, including the threat of TP candidates. Of course the TP or independant candidates can still mount a campaign as long as they go to the RNC and promise to play nice and ask for money or go directly to corporations and promise payback once they are in office...which is essentially the same thing.

U.S. House Votes to End Campaign Finance System
www.bloomberg.com...

Nothing illiogical about any of it.

reply to post by maybereal11


Great pos. Thank you! (Even though I mean logical to us or logical by any sane, normal, and democratic standards. They don't represent us...just themselves and their masters.

Raising the retirement age isn't going to end the problem.

There is only one thing that will end the problem, and it is inevitable.

The currency will be destroyed.

While part of me is excited to see the entire government wiped out in the coming currency collapse, part of me is filled with dread about what may attempt to replace it.

The State has turned much of the nation into thieves that are entirely dependent upon the money looted from the tax system. We shall see if the looters or the victims are victorious after the default occurs.

Hopefully freedom wins over tyranny.

They need to lower the retirement age so people can retire and then they’ll be more jobs for younger people.

reply to post by ~Lucidity


Reminds me of the old standard conservative apology, "I'm sorry that you got offended." It's a non-retraction, and is wholly meaningless, save for the hope that it'll get soundbitten.

Originally posted by mnemeth1
... part of me is filled with dread about what may attempt to replace it.

Same here, and yes, let's hope...that's all we have left it seems.

(Other than a financial strike-type revolution, which nobody but me seems to think is a good idea )

reply to post by inforeal

I agree and said that in the OP; however this would also have to be coupled with a push toward creating new jobs as well. It would be a start.

Certainly a better idea than raising age not once but twice and dashing all workers' hopes of ever seeing a penny of what they worked hard and contributed a lot to.

reply to post by TheWalkingFox

He can bite me. Yes, politicians seem to masters of the sound bite. I'm very disappointed with the media for not reporting it properly in this case. He never said any such thing. They all need to go back to Headline 101 class.