U.S. Edition
(CNN) – You have to give Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry at least some credit for putting major changes in Social Security on the table. Most politicians don't even want to touch this subject, especially because older Americans love their Social Security benefits, and older Americans vote in much higher percentages than younger Americans.
Perry is proposing very significant changes. For example, he wants to raise the retirement eligibility age.
New York (CNNMoney) – Senior citizens will soon get their first raise in three years, the government announced Wednesday.
Social Security recipients will receive a cost of living adjustment of 3.6% starting in January.
(CNN) - Social Security reform has taken center stage in the 2012 presidential debate and one in five say the system is unconstitutional, but a new CNN/ORC International poll shows a majority of Americans have good feelings about the program.
Eight in 10 Americans think Social Security has been good for the country, with 70 percent of young adults agreeing and almost nine in 10 senior citizens saying the same. FULL POST
(CNN) – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's thumbs have been busy.
On Thursday, he will unveil the new version of 1994's "Contract with America" in Des Moines. The revamped "commitment," named the "21st Century Contract with America," is said to have been composed on the 2012 candidate's Blackberry in the memo section, using his thumbs. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – In his first nationally televised interview since launching his presidential bid, Texas Gov. Rick Perry fought back claims that he threatened the state's secession two years ago at a tea party rally in Austin.
"No, I never used that term at all," Perry told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday. "I have no idea, to be real honest with you, because it was never a factual bit of reporting." FULL POST
(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney drew clear lines between himself, President Barack Obama and rival candidate Rick Perry over Social Security.
While laying out his plan to reform the entitlement program Wednesday, the former Massachusetts governor criticized what he sees as a nonexistent plan from the president and an unfeasible plan proposed by Texas Gov. Perry. FULL POST
(CNN) - I have to give Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman some credit. He has the guts to suggest specific changes to the nation’s Social Security system – changes that are politically treacherous.
For a politician, whether Democratic or Republican, that’s always dangerous, given Social Security’s popularity, especially with older Americans who rely on it. And remember: older Americans vote in much higher percentages than younger Americans.
Boston, Massachusetts (CNN) - The night after fielding blistering attacks for his views on Social Security, a jovial Rick Perry told a Boston audience he was the only GOP candidate willing to fix the entitlement program.
The Texas governor, who has repeatedly called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," was the focus of sustained criticism at the CNN/Tea Party Debate Monday. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said using the term "Ponzi scheme" was "over the top, unnecessary and frightening" to Americans. FULL POST
Tampa, Florida (CNN) – Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has a message for Republican presidential candidates taking aim at Rick Perry’s positions on Social Security: lay off.
Jindal endorsed the Texas governor’s presidential bid on Monday ahead of the CNN/Tea Party Debate in Florida. FULL POST
New York (CNNMoney) - Social Security is still the third rail of American politics.
Yes, the electric rail. Just ask Rick Perry, who got a taste of high-voltage current Monday as he was forced to defend his characterization of Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme" at CNN's latest Republican debate.