Page 32 - Means Testing News Today

2037, we have a surplus on. now what i think we should do is i actually think if we are going to do reform on social security, we ought to start means testing. i dont think rich folks need to get the kind of social security benefits -- >> $230,000 in salary, huh? >> i agree with that. >> that was a joke. you would agree with that? you think its rich in new york? >> what i think we ought to do is have means testing -- charlie, if you can stop interrupting we can have an intelligent conversation. ...

In the last 0 years, were going to discriminate for him because hes colored. what is the argument for that? >> you could have means testing, for example, and say, the cutoff really is income. however, i do think the nation has a special obligation to african-americans. i do. i think that moral obligation has not been fulfilled. and so i guess i would differ with pat on that question. >> gene, let me ask you this. >> but i do think, pat, that you could make an argument in this day and age for mea...

Going to discriminate against you, and some guy who just came here, never knew jim crowe, were going to discriminate against him because hes colored. what is the moral argument for that? >> you could have means testing, for example, and say, the cutoff really is income. however, i do think the national -- nation has a special obligation to african-americans. i do. i think that moral obligation has not been fulfilled. i guess i would differ with pat on that question. >> gene, let me ask you this....

>> very funny. the accent worked until tony hayward came along and killed me. john boehner goes on to say not just raise the age to 70, you suggested reducing or eliminating benefits to americans with a substantial nonsocial security income. thats means testing. thats saying if youre relatively wealthy and successful in retirement, you dont get all that social security. thats a very big step that could bring on real opposition, how do you feel about that? >> well, let me say what we did with rea...

Suggestions, on their own, and, its not just potential tax hikes likely to draw fire and the commission could recommend raising the cap on social security taxes, and could recommend means testing, medicare benefits, entitlements are the biggest budget busters. simpson calls the commission a suicide mission, but it wont be immediate suicide, since the commission will -- wont make the recommendation until december and lawmakers wont have to say whether or not they agree with the recommendations, b...

Talk to, republican from wyoming, he said, you know, i said what about social security and he said, everybody knows the answer to social security, things like means testing, increasing the retirement age, reducing benefits, at least slowing down the cost of living adjustments and he said, we could solve it in a think tank sense in an afternoon and the question is, the political sense and that will be the rub. this is an 18 member panel, and, ten democrats, and 8 republicans, and you will need bi...

So i mean, i thought the same thing when i read the interview. you know, everybody keeps talking about spending cuts, and i think there will be spending cuts. the question is where. i think -- >> bill: pick one! pick a department. >> i think in a sense, its not -- i mean, its not exactly the type of spending cut youre talking about, but whats going to happen probably is theyre going to raise the ages for social security and medicare, and i think they will maybe start doing means testing. i think...

Need it. we do means testing for poor people. why wouldnt you do means testing for rich people with something like social security. do you think a real, constructive conversation between those in the tea party who represent these values and those in the libertarian and progressive communities that share those values, that the status quo democrats and republicans are the only ones who benefit from perpetuating this game-rigging? is that dialogue possible? >> i think its necessary. i think the pro...

Cut benefits, introduce means testing. >> this is not what the trump voter voted for. >> this to me is a fascinaing test. you look at the cabinet, i think youre right. but theres a real question what that domestic policy agenda really is. mcconnell wants to go aca. ryan has had his eyes on social security medicare. >> forever. >> his entire career. if im trump and bannon advising trump, thats not the agenda -- i honestly think thats a political mistake. what do you think? >> of course. its an op...

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