Well they just figured that since they take bribes the voters would too

Prices fall so the left proposes to pay a bribe to senior citizens.  One more of the 1001 ways that they are bankrupting the country on the backs of our children.  Is there a principled leftist out there?  Anywhere?  If so, why have none denounced this reverse robin-hoodery?  H/T Taxlawprof blog

Zero COLA Increase in Social Security Checks in 2011; Democrats Propose $250 Payments to Seniors

For the second year in a row, social security recipients will not receive a cost of living increase in 2011 because of an absence of inflation in the consumer price index (calculation here).  128 House Democrats have sponsored a bill (H.R. 5987) to provide all social security recipients with a one-time $250 payment. The bill would cost $14 billion. A similar bill failed to pass last year.  There also will be no increase in the amount of wages subject to the 6.2% social security tax imposed on both employers and employees ($106,800).

• Christian Science Monitor
• CNN
• Huffington Post