The second sentence in the opening paragraph of this piece in the Fiscal Times boggles me.
For the first time since 1975, Social Security beneficiaries received no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) this year because prices fell in 2009. President Obama tried to offset the loss by proposing a special $250 check in lieu of a COLA, which would have cost more than $13 billion . But the Senate rejected that measure by a vote of 50-47.
.."Loss?" What "loss?" The loss of an adjustment that is necessary to correct for a problem that hasn't happened yet?
Now, there may be more disappointing news for 43 million seniors: This year’s low inflation may mean no COLA increase in 2011.
Bad news! Our stuff didn't cost more! So we don't get a bigger check to pay for the more-ness of all the stuff-costing!
Boggles, I tell you.