Is AARP Leading the Way to Cuts in Social Security?
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Washington's most potent advocate for the elderly says cuts in Social Security might be inevitable. Is that a change of position? Should Social Security become part of deficit reduction? We hear an argument directly affecting America's most reliable voting bloc. Also, President Obama will announce his Afghan troop decision on Wednesday, and printed warnings on cigarette packs will be replaced by ugly graphics depicting the awful results of excessive smoking.
Banner image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Making News
Obama to Announce Afghan Troop Decision on Wednesday ()
Tomorrow night from the White House, President Obama will announce how many troops he'll bring home from Afghanistan, and when. The latest reports have a brigade of 5000 returning this summer and another 5000 before the end of the year. Yochi Dreazen is national security correspondent for the National Journal.
Guests:
- Yochi Dreazen: National Journal, @yochiNJ
Main Topic
Social Security, the AARP and the Deficit ()
With 37 million members and a massive budget, AARP claims it's the voice in Washington for senior citizens, America's most reliable voting bloc. But last week, AARP created a firestorm by saying it would consider "modest" cuts in Social Security benefits. The Wall Street Journal quoted AARP Policy Director John Rother saying, "The ship was sailing. I wanted to be at the wheel when that happens." In Washington, and around the country, the reaction was deafening. Deficit hawks said it's about time, but other defenders of Social Security accused the organization of selling out the very people it claims to represent. Has AARP provided an opening for America's most popular social program to be put on the deficit chopping block?
Guests:
- David Certner: AARP
- Arthur Delaney: Huffington Post
- Ryan McConaghy: Third Way
- Roger Hickey: Campaign for America's Future
- Fred Lynch: Claremont McKenna College, @CMCtoday
Links:
- Delaney on AARP's willingness to negotiate on Social Security retirement age
- Third Way on Social Security's path to insolvency
- Hickey on AARP's confusing message that they won't fight Social Security cuts
- Lynch's 'One Nation under AARP: The Fight over Medicare, Social Security, and America's Future'
Reporter's Notebook
Will Creepy Photos Curb Smoking? ()
It's been 25 years since the printed health warnings have been changed on cigarette packs. Now, smokers will have to see graphic depictions designed to shock new smokers and scare existing one into quitting. On the front and back upper half of every cigarette pack, there will now be color images of damaged teeth, infected lungs and a man exhaling smoke through a tracheotomy opening in his neck. An amputee identified as Marie from the Bronx will be part of a TV commercial. Duff Wilson covers the pharmaceutical and tobacco industries for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Duff Wilson: New York Times
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