Topic: Social Security

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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan

President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill

Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.
If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.

Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
Sequester 101: What happens if $85 billion in cuts hit on March 1

The sequester is a complex concept with a tortuous history. Here are the basics on the automatic spending reductions set to kick in March 1.
Eight steps to getting the right insurance

Comparing insurance policies is tough. However, by following these eight steps, you can simplify the process and find the right insurance policy for you.

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The Coptic Christian in California behind the anti-Islamic film

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a Coptic Christian, says that he helped with logistics for the film "Innocence of Muslims," which mocked Muslims. He denied directing the film. But there's evidence to suggest the filmmaker, Sam Bacile is an alias, which is strikingly similar to Nakoula's middle name.
US incomes fall to 1989 levels. How did that happen?

A Census report signals that for much of America, the economic downturn has produced not one lost decade but two. But the data also show that federal safety-net programs helped keep people out of poverty.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on debt and deficits

President Obama and Mitt Romney offer sharply different views on how to get the nation back on a sustainable fiscal path. Here are five ways they differ on policies to cope with a soaring debt.
Robert Reich The 'heart of our economic dilemma': getting American consumers to spend again

The middle class isn't spending because the values of their homes have plummeted, they've lost much of their savings, and their wages are dropping. Reich argues that Obama has a way to correct this, or at least not make it worse.
Georgia flouts federal order, withholds lunch ladies' unemployment benefits

States nationwide are trying to cut costs by reining in unemployment benefits, but Georgia has taken a bold step by refusing to pay seasonal workers. The Obama administration is concerned.
Paul Ryan's factual shortcuts in convention speech

A look at claims made in political campaigns and how they adhere to the facts.
The Paul Ryan budget: 5 go-to sources for understanding it

Looking for in-depth analysis of the Paul Ryan budget plan? D.C. Decoder has compiled a list of excellent sources to help you sort out truth from fiction.
Tax VOX Fiscal cliff vs. tax-cut extension is gloom or doom. Is there another way?

CBO's 'gloom' scenario means pushing the economy off the 'fiscal cliff' into recession. But deficits would plunge. 'Doom' means no recession but dangerous levels of debt.
Robert Reich Ryan budget is reforming entitlement? No. Destroying it.

Entitlement reform? Forget it. In an era of rampant economic insecurity, Ryan’s destruction of Medicaid, food stamps, social security, and other safety nets would cause American families even greater hardship.
Opinion: Why Paul Ryan is no Ayn Rand on Social Security

Mitt Romney's running mate Paul Ryan deserves credit for trying to tackle the coming entitlement crisis. But whatever you can say about his plan for Social Security, you cannot ascribe it to Ayn Rand. Rand did not want to save Social Security; she wanted to end it.
Democrats attack Paul Ryan over Social Security privatization

In his 2010 'Road Map for America's Future,' the Wisconsin congressman proposed a plan to allow younger workers to divert more than one-third of their Social Security taxes into personal accounts that they would own and could will to their heirs.
Mitt Romney says he pays 13 percent in taxes. How low is that?

Mitt Romney has tried to fend off criticism about how much he has paid in federal taxes. But his 13 percent tax rate during the past 10 years puts him in peculiar company.
'We're NASA and We Know It' video spoofs JPL Mars team. How cool is that?

'We're NASA and We Know It' is a slickly produced rap video that mocks, and celebrates, the landing of the Mars rover Curiosity and the 'outside-the-box' team at JPL that made it happen.
Which side is winning the battle to define Paul Ryan?

So far, polls show little to no bounce for Mitt Romney since he named Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. The wisdom of adding Ryan to the ticket could be decided by how well he and Romney resolve their unsettled message on Medicare.
With relaxed rules for undocumented in the US, real work in Mexico begins

President Obama announced new rules to allow undocumented immigrants under the age of 16 to apply for a stay of deportation and a way to continue their schooling.
For young illegal immigrants, a day of hugs, smiles, joy ... and qualms

Young illegal immigrants began applying Wednesday under Obama's miniature DREAM Act, which offers exemption from deportation for at least two years. There was rejoicing among them, but also apprehension.
Mitt Romney's illegal immigration problem: Would he reverse Obama's order?

Some young illegal immigrants can begin applying for deportation deferrals Wednesday under a politically popular move by President Obama in June. It puts Mitt Romney in a bit of a pickle.
DREAMer policy on illegal immigrants goes live. Can it backfire on Obama?

Obama has a lot riding on effective implementation of his new policy to give some young illegal immigrants a reprieve from deportation. If the government botches it, backlash in the Latino community could hurt him politically.
Tax VOX Resurrecting the Ryan budget

While the Romney camp is sure to argue their candidate's fiscal policy is of his own making, his new running mate Paul Ryan’s more comprehensive and controversial plans will likely be a major campaign issue.
Chapter & Verse Paul Ryan does an about-face on Ayn Rand

Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan once credited Rand as the reason he entered public service, but now says, 'I reject her philosophy.'
Economist Mom Federal budget, are you ready for your close-up?

We’re going to be talking a lot about deficits, debt and the federal budget in this election, which may be partisan politics, but will hopefully also get Americans thinking about what the government can do for them, and for how much.
The Paul Ryan budget: your guide to what's in it

Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate, is best known for drawing up a series of spending-and-tax plans meant to challenge the Obama administration's policies from the right. But it's been some time since his latest budget, which Mr. Ryan terms a "path to prosperity," was released. Here's a primer on what's in it.
Paul Ryan: Which campaign gets the bigger boost?

Both Democrats and conservative Republicans are seeing Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as a potential game-changer for their team. But only one can win.
In joining Romney, will Paul Ryan get his 'clear choice' campaign? (+video)

Back in February, long before he got the vice presidential nod, Rep. Paul Ryan urged Mitt Romney to run an 'affirmative' campaign, laying out how he differs from Obama. Picking Ryan may signal Romney's intent to do just that.
Republicans, Democrats scramble to frame Paul Ryan’s political persona

With Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP now has a full presidential ticket. Bold move or potential disaster for Americans? Republicans and Democrats try to shape Ryan's image to their own advantage.