For once he's right. President Obama came out blasting against the upcoming sequestration as a major threat to the U.S. economy. He's right. These draconian cuts, $85 billion for FY 2013, will be enacted starting in March 2013 if Congress doesn't stop it. The CBO estimates this year's budget costs will cost the United States a full 1.5 percentage points of GDP.
Michael Collins
President Obama announced the new National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform on February 18 to address astronomical federal budget deficits. There has been considerable speculation that this commission will target current and future benefits for Social Security recipients to achieve its goals.
Why would this be the case? We need look no further than the treatment of major retirement funds over the past 20 years to get the answer. When the mob needed cash, it looted the Teamsters retirement fund. When large corporations or government entities get in trouble, they effectively borrow from their employee retirement funds by delaying required payments or otherwise gaming the programs. This provides a source of ready cash, a quick vehicle to cover management errors, or jack up their bonuses.
Think of the Social Security Trust Fund (trust fund) as the most lucrative retirement fund in the country, the ultimate pot of gold, and you'll immediately understand why it is that for decades, big business has plundered the trust fund. How does this happen?
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