Played for a Sucker - New York Times

This is a very compelling 2007 piece by Krugman lambasting Obama for being suckered on Social Security.

I don't know if Obama has gotten his bearings on this issue (unlikely because he really seems lost in space now), but the basic issue remains: Social Security and Medicare are the institutions the country owes to the Democrats. they are in fact the basis of Democratic staying power. Defense of them is the key to Democratic survival.

Krugman uses the phrase "serious person". Being "serious" leads you to be anti-labor, basically, to see Social Security and Medicare as something that costs you - a serious person - and delivers less benefit than you think your "investment", would yield if in your own hands.

Social justice, safety net, protecting the poor, etc. are all wimp programs. Serious People think people should take cuts in Social Security.

Played for a Sucker - New York Times