Candidate wants to fix problems (Herman Cain)

Hinesville Coastal Courier ^ | 03/26/2004 | Patrick Donahue , Executive editor

[phil_will1]

"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of the status quo," the Republican candidate said. "The status quo is the tax code is a mess, the Social Security structure is a mess and Medicare is a mess. I'm just tired of us not facing the problems and fix the problems."

Cain served on the Economic Growth and Tax Reform Commission, appointed along with Jack Kemp by then Rep. Newt Gingrich and Sen. Bob Dole, to look at alternatives to the tax code.

"We found you cannot fix the current code," he said.

Cain worked on Kemp's campaign when the former New York senator was Dole's running mate in 1996 and also worked on Steve Forbes' presidential campaign. Cain said then Rep. Dick Armey pushed for a flat tax in the early 1990s and the flat tax was a major plank in Forbes' platform.

Cain advocates replacing the national tax code with a national sales tax.

He also said the principles that went into founding Social Security in 1935 were outdated within 10 years, since it didn't assume there would be a World War II or the baby boomers.

"We've known the Social Security structure has been broken for 50 years," Cain, who said he is in the first wave of baby boomers who will test Social Security's limits in seven years, said. "But we couldn't get a collective will of elected leaders to do something."

Cain said former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts told him there weren't enough leaders in Congress. "Seventy percent of the 535 representatives are just happy to be there," Cain said Watts told him. "They are not leaders. They just get led."

A lot of good ideas get stuck in committees, Cain said, or their proponents don't know how to defeat the negative rhetoric lobbed against them.

"It's not that we don't know how to solve the problems," he said. "What's missing is strength of leadership."

Cain is also the author of three books, including "Leadership is Common Sense." Before entering politics, he served as president and chairman of Godfather's Pizza, Inc., and as president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

A graduate of Morehouse College and Purdue University, Cain also served as a vice president of Pillsbury and eventually managed 400 Burger King stores around Philadelphia, even flipping burgers on the grill to learn the nuances of store operations.

"I have succeeded against the odds in more situations than I care to remember," he said.

Cain likened the current problems of the tax code, Social Security and Medicare to a tire with a hole in it. Instead of fixing the problem permanently, all Congress does is delay the inevitable.

"All we have done is continue to put air into a tire with a hole in it and see how long it will last," he said.

Cain proposes creating a system of personal retirement accounts and phasing out Social Security over time.

"They did this in Chile in 1980 and it worked," he said. "They had a social security structure similar to ours. Their social security tax rate was 27 percent. Ours is 15.3 percent."

Cain said the Social Security Administration trustees came out in favor of upping the social security tax. "That just puts more air in that tire," he said.

The Citizens Against Government Waste said Wednesday the current Medicare system will run out of money in 15 years. Cain is pushing for a complete overhaul of Medicare and said he wasn't surprised at the announcement.

Of the $440 billion pumped into Medicare each year, Cain said one-third of it goes to administrative costs.

"That is ridiculous," he said. "Every year we have to appropriate more money and benefits go down. Medicare is headed for a train wreck. It would have a ripple effect in the structure of our health care system. They said the only thing we have to do is raise taxes, lower benefits and increase the retirement age. That's the reason the system is broken. This is why I'm running."

Cain said what separates him from his opponents is he won't go away on these issues.

"Everything goes through the tax code," he said. "Everything goes through the revenue machine. I'm not afraid in being aggressive in pushing for the solutions. I plan to challenge the status quo."

Cain will face two congressmen, Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins, in June's primary for the Republican bid to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Zell Miller. Atlanta businessman Al Bartell also is running for the Republican nomination.

[phil_will1]

Herman seems to be picking up momentum at the expense of Mac Collins. He may elevate himself to the position of the conservative alternative to RINO Johnny Isakson.

[phil_will1]

Tax reform bump

[Bahbah]

This Cain guy sounds pretty good. We could use about 500 more like him in the house.

[rrrod]

this guy sounds good to me..whats his chances?

[lawnguy]

I admire this guy, but tax reform and entitlement reform have gobbled up the soul of many a "public servant".

Do you folks remember that great speech @ the 92 Dem convention by Barbara Jordan? It was among her last really big speeches, and she was a wonderful orator who pleaded with her party to consider some entiltlement reform. They totally ignored her of course.

[cricket]

"Herman seems to be picking up momentum at the expense of Mac Collins."

See/hear his political ads which seem to run all day/every day. He is amazing and I have wondered, where all his money for this is coming from. . .wondering as well, if the Black community in Atlanta is supporting him. Has his signs out already as well.

This man has a plan. . .

[Principled]

Cain advocates replacing the national tax code with a national sales tax.

This alone will bring him more contributions and votes than any other issue. Indeed it is likely to bring him closer to being elected than anyone could get without suporting the nrst.

I am still after someone to provide data on results of elections pitting a strong nrst advocate against a not-so-supportive opponent...

Herman already has some of my money and will likely have my vote in November.

[Principled]

See/hear his political ads which seem to run all day/every day. He is amazing and I have wondered, where all his money for this is coming from...

A lot is coming from NRST advocates.... :0)

[phil_will1]

"this guy sounds good to me..whats his chances?"

He would have to be considered an underdog to Isakson, who has been in congress for several terms and has much greater name recognition. However, he would have been considered an underdog to Collins 90 days ago and he seems to have at least caught, if not passed, Mac.

Johnny Isakson is considered by many to be a RINO and most consider his personality uninspiring. Herman is dynamic, energetic and very polished. He is a motivational speaker and an associate minister of one of Atlanta's larger churches, I believe.

In short, Herman is an underdog, but I think he has a legitimate shot. Apparently, so does Club For Growth, who just endorsed him in this race. CFG doesn't back losers.

[Mean Daddy]

Georgia Freepers need to learn about Mr. Cain ASAP. He used to live in Omaha and I was crushed when he moved Godfather's to Atlanta. I had hope he would knock off Sen. Nelson (who is more conservative then RINO Hagel).

He actually ran for POTUS against W, but get the feeling he rec'd some good advice as to get some political experience first. Wish he ran for govenor as they have a better time getting elected then a Senator.

[phil_will1]

"He is amazing and I have wondered, where all his money for this is coming from. ."

I don't know, but Club For Growth urged him to enter this race and their recent endorsement means a lot in terms of financial support. I doubt he is getting much financial support from the black community because african-american Georgians don't support Republicans. It would be nice if Herman could change that.

[ancient_geezer]

A Taxreform bump for you all.

If you would like to be added to this ping list let me know.

[phil_will1]

One FReeper has a Herman Cain bump list. Anyone have an idea who that is?

[cricket]

"I doubt he is getting much financial support from the black community because african-american Georgians don't support Republicans. It would be nice if Herman could change that."

For sure; I am really wondering just what is their response to his campaign; his politics and his 'Repub' ID.

Really have not heard any comments ie 'Uncle Tom'isms et al'; or just the casual, one way or the other; but perhaps as he gains momentum, we will.

[WilDave]

Maurice1962 is the one who has a Cain Freep list
D

[rrrod]

HEAR SOME FROM ALL OVER SAY" STAY WITH THE ELECTED CONGRESSMAN/SENATOR" NO PRIMARY.... this is hog washRINOS need to be confronted at every chance..heard somewhere that there are 12 rinos facing a primary..this is a good thing..we may not win them all but we will still hold the house and senate

[ancient_geezer]

not off hand.

[jwalsh07]

Herman Caine is my name and I drove on the Danville train
'til so much cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '04, we were hungry, just barely alive
I took the train to Richmond that fell
It was a time I remember, oh, so well

The night we drove the liberals down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night we drove the liberals down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na, .... "

[SittinYonder]

Cain's going to need your vote before November. He's on the July 20 ballot against Isakson, Collins and Bartel. It's vital that those of us who support Cain vote for him July 20. He can win the senate if he can get to November.

[phil_will1]

"He can win the senate if he can get to November."

Correct - the Dems don't have a credible candidate and its getting pretty late for them to come up with one. This race should be over by midnight on July 20.

I saw "The Georgia Gang" this morning and they quoted a poll that Isakson had done that showed Isakson at 50%, Cain at 13% and Collins at 10%. They also mentioned the rumor that has been circulating that Collins is considering pulling out and running for his old house seat again, pointing out that he is on the Ways & Means committee. Collins has denied any such intention.