Obama has plan for senior citizens
Lower-income elderly wouldn't pay income tax; wealthy would pay to shore up Social Security
Friday, June 13, 2008 1:45 PM
Updated: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:40 AM
By Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
ALEX BRANDON | Associated Press
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Barack Obama reached out to two groups of voters in Columbus yesterday who could be key to his chances of becoming president this fall: senior citizens and Ohioans.
Joining him for the first time was Gov. Ted Strickland, who had vociferously supported Sen. Hillary Clinton during the Democratic presidential primaries but now is vowing to help Obama carry Ohio and reach the White House.
“As goes Ohio, so goes the nation,” Strickland said during an appearance with Obama at Oakleaf Village, a senior-citizens center on Karl Road.
The theme was “a secure retirement” when Obama spoke at an invitation-only event with about 40 seniors in a sweltering room at the center. It was the Illinois senator's first trip to Ohio as the presumptive Democratic nominee. In the state's primary, he lost badly to Clinton.
Obama highlighted his plans to require those earning at least $250,000 a year to pay more in payroll taxes to help keep Social Security solvent, and to eliminate all income taxes paid by senior citizens earning $50,000 or less annually.
“Americans who work hard their entire lives have earned the right to retire with dignity and security,” Obama said with his wife, Michelle, and Strickland looking on. “A secure retirement is no longer a guarantee for the middle class.”
Right now, payroll taxes for Social Security are not assessed on those making more than $102,000. Obama proposed today raising the cap by having those earning $250,000 or more pay additional tax. It reportedly was the first time he set an income threshold for the new tax.
Those making between $102,000 and $250,000 would not pay additional tax under Obama's plan, which he said would mean 97 percent of Americans would see no change in payroll taxes. Obama has yet to provide other details.
One of the ideas that presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has proposed is allowing private accounts for individuals to supplement Social Security, which Obama derided as “ privatization.”
McCain, who has been to Ohio three times since securing the GOP nomination and is expected back this month, said while campaigning today in New Jersey that Obama is misrepresenting his position.
“I will not privatize Social Security,” he said. “But I would like for younger workers, younger workers only, to have an opportunity to take a few of their tax dollars, a few of theirs, and maybe put it into an account with their name on it.”
McCain's campaign also argued that although Obama vowed to eliminate income taxes for 360,000 Ohio seniors and 27 million nationwide, Obama's plans for other taxes would mean a tax increase for one in three senior households.
Polls show that although Obama enjoys a decided advantage among voters ages 18 to 29 and is about even with McCain among those from 30 to 49, McCain has a clear edge with older voters — especially those older than 65.
Anita Epstein, 83, a retired nurse who has been a resident at Oakleaf Village for nearly three years and is president of the center's residents' committee, said she is worried about rising health-care costs depleting her retirement savings.
“It gradually eats you up,” said Epstein, a Democrat and Obama supporter.
Obama vowed to unveil a plan for universal health-care coverage during his first six months in office if elected and get it passed by the end of his first year.
He also fielded questions about the war in Iraq and said he expects to have combat troops home within 16 months.
Bob Hinebaugh, 75, a Republican from Columbus who said he was invited to the event by the vice president of his civic association, told Obama that he would rather see money that's currently allocated for the war spent in the United States.
Obama told Hinebaugh he wants his vote as “an Obamacan.” Hinebaugh said afterward that although he and his wife want to hear more from McCain, “We're kind of open right now.”
mniquette@dispatch.com
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