Charlie Crist, Florida Democrats hail Social Security boost
Social Secruity made it through COVID-19 fairly well. Image via Reuters.

social security
'Seniors and people with disabilities need this increase to keep up with the "DeSanTAX."'

Social Security payments are increasing by an unprecedented 8.7% year over year, and Democrats are spotlighting the boost while condemning Republicans.

Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist was among those excited about the news Thursday.

“Today’s announcement is important news for the 7 million Floridians who receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned. This is how Social Security is supposed to work — with cost-of-living adjustments so benefits keep up with inflation,” Crist contended, before setting up a contrast with Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“It’s a shame that we have a Governor who voted to cut cost-of-living adjustments three separate times,” Crist said, echoing a previous condemnation of DeSantis for being “quiet on his party’s plans to cut Social Security.”

Regarding the votes to cut cost-of-living adjustments, Crist seems to be referring to votes DeSantis made in Congress between 2013 and 2015, in favor of Republican proposals to slow spending increases in the entitlement program.

DeSantis’ 2018 Primary opponent, Adam Putnam, litigated similar points in an ad buy, which PolitiFact called “half true.” Regardless of that, Crist noted the money was needed to keep up in the current Florida economy.

“Seniors and people with disabilities need this increase to keep up with the ‘DeSanTAX’ — out of control rents, skyrocketing utility bills, and the highest property insurance rates in the country,” Crist added.

The state party also gave props to the Biden White House for the payout bump.

“President Biden and Florida Democrats are working hard to strengthen Social Security and Medicare,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz.

“That’s because Democrats know programs like Social Security are not entitlements, they are earned benefits that people have paid for out of their pockets their whole lives. Meanwhile, Florida Republicans are leading the charge to put these critical programs on the chopping block if they take the majority in Congress.”

Diaz’s reference is to a Florida Republican who is not on the 2022 ballot. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has proposed a periodic review of federal programs including entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. While he said his intent is to save the programs by ensuring their sustainability, President Joe Biden has frequently denounced the Senator’s “ultra-MAGA” plan.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


8 comments

  • Impeach Biden

    October 13, 2022 at 4:32 pm

    Only leaches use Socialist Security. Move to California GRANDMA!
    The Villages isn’t for you!

    • Impeach Biden

      October 13, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      Hello Corsin, Offen, Crist, etc, etc.😀

      • Joe Corsin

        October 13, 2022 at 6:52 pm

        Actually that wasn’t me that time. Gee I wonder what else you might be wrong about…

  • Charlie Crist

    October 13, 2022 at 4:57 pm

    Vote BLUE. At least we do something for people who aren’t rich. Republicans only empower the grifters, skeezers, scammers, flim flammers, and big money hoarders. Doesn’t trickle down! Enjoy no wage growth!

    • Impeach Biden

      October 13, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      Ask yourself this question Charlie. Why did the cola go up so much for social security? Could it be we are dealing with 40 year high inflation? I thought you were smarter than that Charlie.

      • Charlie Crist

        October 13, 2022 at 6:51 pm

        I thought you were smart enough to know that tax breaks and low interest rates is expansionary fiscal policy which eventually brings inflation…and that the orange dumbass sat on his balls and insulted people for four years while the economy overheated. As usual, Dems are horrible because they can’t clean up after the hogs fast enough. Sadly, some are trying to make those tax cuts permanent which will feed inflation forever.

        • John

          October 17, 2022 at 10:48 pm

          Pull your head out of NPR’s butthole and uncross your eyes

  • tom palmer

    October 13, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    Will he be celebrating the sunrise next? This is an automatic increase per federal regs. I’ll be happy to receive it, but this change goes back to the Carter Administration, as I understand it;

Comments are closed.


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