Posted on 02/10/2005 7:39:47 AM PST by hinterlander
Rep. Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.) was asked at a CATO conference in Washington yesterday whether he had persuaded any Democrats to back his plan to rescue Social Security from its financial troubles. Under his legislation (HR 4851), no new taxes would be needed to pay for "transition costs," participation in the new system would be voluntary and individuals would be allowed to divert a portion of their payroll tax into a mutual fund.
A questioner from the audience, stressing his own Democratic credentials, said he believed Ryan's plan should attract members of his own party and wondered whether the Wisconsin lawmaker had secured any Democratic sponsors. Ryan said he had been working with friends on the "other side of the aisle" who were favorable toward his solution, but he faced an enormous problem: intense pressure on his colleagues from the minority leadership.
"We were in planning stages [with friendly Democrats]," said Ryan. But each essentially told him: "I like what you're doing. I like this bill. I think it's the right way to go. But my party leadership will break my back. The retribution that they are promising us is as great as I have ever seen. We can't do it."
Ryan said he believed the only thing that can assure passage is an outpouring from America's grassroots.
Mr. Ryskind, HUMAN EVENTS Editor at large, is writing a book on Communism in Hollywood.
"We were in planning stages [with friendly Democrats]," said Ryan. But each essentially told him: "I like what you're doing. I like this bill. I think it's the right way to go. But my party leadership will break my back. The retribution that they are promising us is as great as I have ever seen. We can't do it."
So never mind what is good for the people and the country...just do what is right for your selfish party. What a total bag of losers.
I'm hoping for a 'rat scorched earth strategy that will result in a 60 seat Senate in '06.
No ideas, but they will bust kneecaps to keep the status quo.
Make that 60 real votes - it should not include the likes of Lincoln Chaffe and the North East RHINO's.
Imagine that. Nothing has changed in Washington.
The democrats have learned from the union thugs. Control the pension and you control the union. So the democrat leadership will punish anyone who threatens THEIR jobs.
Too bad the rank and file don't realize that SS reform means more political clout to the individual members.
I would love to know how he is going to accomplish that.
Hate and violence is all the rats have left.
Self first, then party, then country. And it has always been so with the 'Rats.
I'm beginning to think the whole reason Bush is pushing Social Security reform so hard right now is to expose the 'Rats once and for all to the American public. He has them on the run, and he thinks forcing them to fight the reform will destroy the Democrat party. Whether reform is actually achieved by 2006 doesn't matter so much.
You are correct sir!! Bush knows the issues that force the Dems into the open and this is one of them. The bill that ultimately comes up for a vote will not be a reasonable one that the Dems will fight. It will show that they are obstructionist, angry and just out of touch. Bush seems to do this to them on all the issues.
Nothing has changed. Harry Reid has been promoted and will fill the void left by Tom Daschle. Nothing has changed.
Dubya isn't falling to the 'benefit cut' trap that Dems love to use to their PR benefit. On this and the 'faith-based welfare' keeping the status quo on benefits, but simply cutting the Dem politicians out of the loop. He disrupts their votes-for-cash plan and makes them useless and irrelevant. His SS program can gradually become a personal investment vehicle, instead of simply a transfer payment, and the justification for any government involvement will diminish over time. Instead of wielding the class-warfare stick, the Dems are forced to argue that they are the indispensable elites who must personally oversee your retirement payments. Not nearly as effective.
In the case of SS reform, he's also cultivating a more business-friendly electorate who will be less receptive to Dem anti-capitalist paranoia.
It's called borrowing.
Well that really gives me some warm fuzzies. Especially considering how badly the administration estimated what it would have to borrow for the Prescription Drug program.
I'd rather borrow now than wait 15 years when it really hits the fan.
Same circus, different clowns.
Yep, they are the original I Me and My generation. They want what is right for THOSE IN POWER and to hell with the rest of the people. Why others can't see this is beyond me. Guess they too are blinded. Pity them.
Sounds to be an easy job. It appearers he doesn't have much in the way of spine.
I can't even imagine bowing to threats like that from some party hack on an important issue like SS reform. If this guy's seat or his congressional salary is so damn important to him that he lets himself get pushed around so easily, he deserves neither.
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