Media

CBS’ Schieffer Parrots Al Sharpton on Social Security: Claims Americans May ‘Not Get Their Next Check if Debt Ceiling Crisis Not Resolved’

CBS Schieffer Social Security Checks Debt Ceiling Crisis DebateIn what appears to be lock-step with the Democratic talking points on Social Security as it relates to the debt ceiling crisis, CBS news anchor Bob Scheiffer made the rather brazen, and, rather inaccurate statement that millions of Americans ”may not get their next [Social Security] check if the debt ceiling crisis is not resolved.”

Now where have we heard that before? Earlier today, The Blaze reported that Rev. Al Sharpton went ballistic when he was criticized by a caller on his radio program for misleading the public to believe they might not receive their Social Security payments if the government defaults on its debts.

Now, ever the alarmist, Scheiffer has reportedly made the same assertions on air three separate times between July 22 and July 26.

Contrary to the CBS host’s sky-is-falling rhetoric, however, NewsBusters alleges that there is enough federal revenues and authorized expenditures to pay for the entitlement:

Fear mongering notwithstanding, there is actually enough money to pay the checks to those who depend on Social Security. On July 8, The Weekly Standard cited a study from the Bipartisan Study Center which “projects there will be $172 billion in federal revenues in August and $307 billion in authorized expenditures. That means there’s enough money to pay for, say, interest on the debt ($29 billion), Social Security ($49.2 billion), Medicare and Medicaid ($50 billion), active duty troop pay ($2.9 billion), veterans affairs programs ($2.9 billion).”

But why let data like that get in the way of a good narrative?

Disregarding the numbers, Schieffer still forged ahead, delivering his questionable prediction during CBS’ Early Show in which he said, ”Every month, millions of Americans depend on Social Security to support their families and make ends meet. But now, they may not get their next check, if the debt ceiling crisis is not resolved.”



If that were not enough, Scheiffer then compounded the disingenuous statement with a repeat performance the same day some ten hours later during the Evening News. While introducing correspondent Michelle Miller, Scheiffer opened:

“The late developments in Washington mean that a deal between Congress and the White House is now very much in doubt on the debt limit, and if the government does default, the people who rely on Social Security may end up being the first to get hurt. Here’s Michelle Miller.”

What follows is an arguably over-the-top set of stories laid on thick by Miller about the innocent seniors and children who, she alleges, will be the ones to “suffer” the fallout.

During her narrative, Miller talks about  a senior citizen named “Mattie,” who depends on government funded services to provide her meals at a local senior center. According to Miller, “now, her [Mattie's] most important daily meal could be on the chopping block.“ That most important ”meal,” of course, is Mattie’s Social Security check.

But that’s not all. Miller goes on to assert that “seniors aren’t the only ones at risk. More than four million beneficiaries are children like ten-year-old Anthony Hines….”

Hines, as it turns out, reportedly has autism while his single mother, Claudia Pachon, relies on her $400 a month Social Security payment to help support her child.

Miller concludes the emotional segment by pulling at viewers’ heart-strings one last time when she said:

“On August 3, Pachon, Jones, and 27 million other Americans could find the system they paid into does not have the money to pay them back.”

It might be difficult for many to remember, let alone argue the facts with tears rolling down their faces. Is that maybe the whole point?
You can read the entire, rather dramatic transcript at NewsBusters.

Comments (147)

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  • GMAN455
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:49pm

    this kinda stuff would have worked 30 40 years ago but now with talk radio and internet and fox news not working out so well for them fun to watch

    Report Post » GMAN455  
  • Zer0
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:48pm

    Scheifer is a Leftist s.c.u.m.bag and should be fired for propagating the lie that Social Security checks may not go out if the debt ceiling is not raised!

    Progressives, which is it??? Is the SS money in a lockbox, untouched, or is it a budget busting, Ponzi scheme? Last I heard, SS was running a $55 billion deficit, which could EASILY be met by Obama and Geitner! If SS checks do not go out, it is because Obama and Geitner CHOSE not to send them out.

    Report Post »  
    • Caniac Steve
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:35pm

      I had asked a question of a worker from the local social security office here in my community and asked that question…who or what would physically prevent any checks to be printed for SS medicare repaymayments & military and vets and dependents…and she told me that and seeing trhe social security checks do and are printed by the treasury…the treasury secretary could order the person who heads the printing & despersments depart to NOT print them or send out the codes for direct deposits but seeing that many of those functions are “automated/programed” in the checks should and more than likely will get sent an or printed as today is what ? the 28th and the codes for direct deposits needed to be started to be sent out electronically today to all of the banks involved in the direct deposit set up so the banks can process those and get the accounts credited in time..so it seems to me and while she didn‘t say NOT to worry but she didn’t say relax either..as she had no way of know if the electronic codes went out on time or not…hope this helps everyone

      Report Post » Caniac Steve  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 12:03am

      I just saw the list of groups to be paid even if the vote doesn’t happen and Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, disabled veterans and several others will be paid by Nobama.
      STOP scaring our seniors!!

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • Wayner
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 2:36am

      I despise Sheifer, Pelley and Leslie Stahl for their always biased and many times false “journalism”

      Report Post »  
    • old man1
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 6:50am

      Why is all the pressure being put on republicans and none on democrats. Most of the stories on the net and radio are about how the republicans need to do something, not a word about the democrats and the president to do something. Democrats have been in control of congress and presidency, republicans only control house for 6 months, where is the press playing up this

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 9:06am

      Amazing how little these “journalists” know about the laws of the U.S.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 9:52am

      Just saying this is proof there is no lock box for Social Security. They should all be thrown in jail.

      Report Post »  
    • Mike Z4000
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Scheiffer should resign!!! What a lieing bonehead. The ignorance of some of these people is astounding!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Windwalker
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 1:43pm

      Schieffer and Sharpton are both pathological and habitual liars. Sharpton the pathological and Schieffer the habitual. You are absolutely right….if social security checks don’t go out, it will be because Geither and Obama order it so……and frankly they don’t have the power to pull that off. But like anything else this corrupt administration does that flies in the face of what is constitutional or legal…..you’re guess is as good as mine as to just what this digusting bunch are capable of.

      Report Post »  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:46pm

    These liberals are disgusting…………..nothing but lies….we are sick to death of all these 2 year olds.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
    • DeliverUsFromEvil
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:56pm

      In the case of Bob Schieffer, senility has set in. He’ll be gone soon. Probably replace him with Keith Olbermann.

      Report Post »  
    • 1proudAmerican
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 12:35am

      Fear, fear, fear. That’s all they have but they accuse the Right for using fear tactics. I can only imagine what the Left of today would have called our Founding Fathers in the 1700s. Actually, they already criminalize them by teaching that “white, male, land-owning men” had a say in the start of our country and left out women and Blacks. Credit is taken away from people we should thank every day!

      Report Post »  
  • johnj1952
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:45pm

    Left wing jerk like his bed friend sharpton!

    Report Post » johnj1952  
  • seeker9
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:45pm

    Good lord! These media types act as if they are on the pay roll. I suppose they are. Wealth redistribution – take money from hard working Americans, through the govt, to favorite cronies and supporters.

    Report Post » seeker9  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 9:02am

      @Seeker they are on a extra income pay rool with George Soros funding them

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:42pm

    So the parrots are squaking indeed? I want to hear this song as they run into the next elections:

    “(squak)…there coming to take me away…there coming to take me away….(squak)…to the crossbar hotel…for a long…long…long..long time…there coming to take me away…(squak)”

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Billofrights
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:41pm

    This foolish scare tactic is easy to squash. A year ago SSI was in a lock box and not in trouble in any way according to Dems. Now it’s just got to be the first thing to go? which one is it? safe in a lock box or not?

    Report Post »  
  • inferno
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:38pm

    This guy might just tinkle on my shoes, but he is stupid if he expects me to think it’s raining !
    Yes sir, if you wish to increase your credibility as a journalist / anchor, just give credence to comments by Al Sharpton !

    Report Post »  
    • floradaze
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 9:13am

      The only thing that is in that lockbox is IOU’s in the form of Treasury Bond Notes.
      These bonds have to be paid first.
      That big pile of money in the Social Security Trust fund was just too temping for those in Washington to leave it alone. They spent it.
      It’s sort of like discovering the ex ran up your credit cards just before they walked out on you.

      Report Post »  
  • Bill from NJ
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:38pm

    Old Bob is afraid he will not get his paycheck if he does not repeat the democrat talking points…..

    Report Post » Bill from NJ  
  • Alucard
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:36pm

    Yep, just another sign that the mainstream media in this country is dead. Only propaganda remains. These guys don’t even realize that they are cutting their own throats. Sad really.

    Report Post »  
    • Pydge
      Posted on July 29, 2011 at 6:19am

      Whatssup with the phony Rev Sharpton anyway?
      He is no educated, honest scholar of anything! Ex-con and racebaiter!
      How does HE get a job? He is professional troublemaker.
      He got started in the late 70s defending a lie (black teen accused whites of kidnapping and rape— it was a hoax.
      The filth in this man’s public life: what he has done lying for a living!
      (and O’Reilly LOVES HIS DEBATES WITH HIM. Yuck. )
      Having an affirmative action – PC and liberal approach to all people political news is what CBS HAS TURNED INTO! Ed R Murrow is rollin’ in his grave!

      Report Post » Pydge  
  • Cymry
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:36pm

    these people READ the news. about the only content they contribute are ad lib (marxist) snarky “color” comments. this is their life that they believe they actually can intellectually contribute to the current american social dialogue. wow, talk about self-deception! I feel pity for them (to a point) after that it’s pretty much disgust and loathing. this is a liberal pathology found in affluent 1st world populations where wealth is mistaken for a lot of other things……these people are walking (mildly intellectual) contradictions and most of them are not even aware of their disparity.

    Report Post » Cymry  
  • Quarter
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:35pm

    Let it come down to a Default.
    Then when B.O. tell everyone he has to pick and chose who to pay.
    Then when we Elect Mrs Palin she will come into office and send B.O to jail….

    I sorry I was having a DREAM

    Report Post »  
  • Mess23
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:33pm

    Bob, you lie. Call me and I will help you understand…

    Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:30pm

    This guy is out of his league. Reminds me of a muppet.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:30pm

    Monkey see Monkey do.

    Report Post »  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:27pm

    If we do default it will be very interesting to see who Obama sends checks to and who he does not. You can bet his allies will get paid and his adversaries will not. Don’t want to see a default but it would be interesting.

    Report Post »  
  • tomcat741
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:27pm

    Ever wanted to see Reid tar and feathered just try and not pay me my Social Security.

    Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:24pm

    Al Sharpton repeats this same social security scare, medicare scare. As much nonsense as food insurance.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:29pm

      ^____^____^
      This is the next organized narrative of the left expect more to come as the clock ticks down. These monsters are well organized and way ahead of the common sensed conservative movement in the country. Folks better wake up and stop complaining at the dinner table and start getting involved!
      Stop playing their game and start playing your game http://SavingtheRepublic.com

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:22pm

    damn bob, does that communist kool aid taste that good, and you call your self a news reporter, if that were true,then you might have done some fact checking before you opened your mouth, but hey, when the soros money is that good,i guess keeping your job and drinking the communist kool aid is a lot easier than the truth.now when you go home tonight,remember that soros will have your communist talking points { lies } all laid out for you and when you get to work don’t forget to drink your communist kool aid.

    Report Post »  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:30pm

      Sharpton has not the mental capacity to understand what is going on. He is an ‘aper’ who only mimics what he has heard. This POS has nothing to say that is of ANY significance to anyone with ANY intelligence.

      Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:19pm

    Idiots following Idiots

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • NSDQ
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:17pm

    Put That “gun” to their heads SS will be paid ********, you have too

    Report Post » NSDQ  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:16pm

    Your petty threats are like drizzle against a lighthouse.

    We’re already broke. You’re BORROWING for the checks you already send out.

    Kick rocks.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:13pm

    If the elderly retired don’t get their S.S. checks. Then I don’t think that the President on down through the Congress should get their checks either. If the Military don‘t get their checks then the President on down through the Congress don’t get their checks either. In fact I think that the President and on down through the Congress forfeit all their pay until they can pay all their debts.

    Report Post »  
    • kindling
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:43pm

      Don’t be silly, you know Obama is not included in this! He has already written checks to all of his puppet masters on wall street and banks. I know there is enough money to pay the interest payment on the debt, social security, and the military. But he wants to cause a crisis because that is what he wants to justify what he wants to do. WE must stand strong and call his bluff. WE must help each other through this time if he manages to stop those checks to family, friends and neighbors. Don’t let him win!

      Report Post » kindling  
  • UBETHECHANGE
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Talking point directly from the White House. Liberal propaganda…

    Report Post »  
    • hifi74
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:17pm

      The only reason SS wouldn’t be paid is if BO decides to not pay it, period, end of story, finito. But the complicit media will parrot it like the good little goose steppers that they are.

      Report Post » hifi74  
  • Angeld
    Posted on July 28, 2011 at 10:11pm

    I guess Scheiffer is stupid enough to think we believe this!

    Report Post »  
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