Posted on 04/09/2005 8:34:40 AM PDT by FairOpinion
Senate Republicans are considering temporarily sidetracking President Bush's plan for personal investment accounts under Social Security, hoping Democrats will then join compromise talks on legislation to restore the program's solvency.
Several GOP officials said Republican leaders discussed the possibility privately this week, recognizing that unified Democratic opposition to the accounts has stalled efforts to advance Bush's top domestic priority.
At the same time, these officials said GOP leaders were wary of leaving the impression that they intend to abandon the president's proposal to allow younger workers to invest a portion of their payroll taxes independently.
Any shift in tactics has the potential to embolden Democratic critics who say Bush's proposal would privatize Social Security and lead to benefit cuts and a large increase in the national debt.
At the same time, it could undercut the current 60-day campaign by the White House to build public support for the president's approach.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
All of you young people should invest as much as you can in private accounts NOW! Even if they privitize SS later, because if they don't privitize SS will fail and you will be left holding the bag.
Ever been snipe hunting? No? Well, here hold this bag for me while I go run the snipe to you. SS is the snipe and the workers of this country are the bag holders. PRIVITIZE NOW. Let the republican congress grow a set of Ba*** for a change. How hard can it be to do the right think?
Bush's plan is sound: it will NOT impact those 55 or older, and I presume there will be a gradual change for those 54 and younger, depending on their age, so that they can accumulate assets in a personal account.
Without personal accounts, the benefits WILL have to be decreased AND taxes increased.
Another bit of info from the IBD article:
"Unfortunately, Republicans don't grasp this. They think they have to run away from reform or do what they've done in the past, including raising taxes and cutting benefits.
Those measures have failed repeatedly. Since Social Security's start in 1937, payroll taxes have been raised 24 times. The last big hike, in 1983, was supposed to take care of the problem for a century. Now, just 17 years later, we're told the crisis will hit in 2017."
http://www.investors.com/editorial/issues01.asp?v=4/9
Man, that question will get you banned from the press pool.
One of the things that makes Bush so great is his ignoring polls for the most part and pushing the agendas he feels are right. Our senators and representatives need to do this for a change, it would be refreshing.
Especially since the polls are more push-polls, where people don't know and aren't told, that benefits will NOT be cut for anyone over 55.
The media found a new way to skew the news: with phony polls.
Once people are told the truth, they are in favor of Bush's plan.
Investor's Business Daily did a poll, where people favored Bush's plan 50/40.
"They fear the political consequences of acting boldly to pass reform that is, actually showing some leadership when polls seem to show many Americans oppose it. And they've expended precious little political capital to sell the idea.
But, as we say, Americans only seem to oppose Social Security reform, as a new IBD/TIPP Poll shows. We asked 853 Americans whether they'd back a Social Security reform plan like Bush's one that includes no cuts in benefits for those over 55 and voluntary personal accounts for younger workers.
When we asked, people supported Bush's plan, 50% to 40%. Real reform sells."
http://www.investors.com/editorial/issues01.asp?v=4/9
Man, that question will get you banned from the press pool.
The answer, though not the one we want, is simple. Solvency. Remember brother Gore's "lock box?"
The Democrats are such a threat to vital reform because their objections are so basic and the average person can understand them.
It's already insolvent. We should let it die, or do everything we can to put a stake through it's blood-sucking heart, and shoot it with a silver bullet. History will no doubt look back at Social Security and determine it was an absolutely horrendous idea.
Considering the source of this story .. I believe this is nothing more than wishful thinking on the Globe's part.
Also .. the ultra-left media people take a statement from a RINO that "they" [the RINO] thinks the GOP may have to drop this or that .. and then the media blows it into a story that this is being given serious consideration - when it's not.
I've watched these people do this over and over - and then all of a sudden a real CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN stands up and says - that's not even being considered.
This trick is done to make it appear there is a problem within the ranks. This is so transparent.
This is the media game they play - TRYING ONE MORE TIME TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION TO THEIR SIDE OF THE STREET - AND MAKE YOU THINK THE REPUBS ARE CAVING TO THE DEMS ONCE AGAIN.
AIN'T SO!! Please don't fall for it.
Gore's lockbox would still be full of meaningless slips of paper. That's what the Democrats and Republicans are both dancing around. The party that reveals the true nature of the Emperor's clothes and can EDUCATE the public, will gain the upper hand.
But first, they need the guts to tell the whole truth.
Ah, but those are not simply meaningless slips of paper, nor are they merely worthless IOUs.
Pity us should our fellow citizens ever come to believe you are right.
Senate Republicans are just as interested as the Dems in ensuring people remain reliant on government. They're not incompetent - they just never believed in conservative principles in the first place.
Senate Rep lose GONADS here comes a tax increase.
Your dad was a smart man. Also a great source for a tag line. : )
I hadn't posted yet to this thread because I was just skimming the headlines at the time---
But, just like you said, I am the worst when it comes to falling for the media and the dems putting out this kind of news which is intended (I suppose) to dishearten republican voters and keep them away from poles, or write off their congresscritters---
Like I said, I a fall for it everytime because I have seen so few times where the GOP reps. and senators have actually stood up to the dems----
I am less inclined to believe the press and dems when it comes to BUSH because he has proven to go against what is said and go against poll results etc., therefore, I hope Bush calls all of the GOP Senators and give them a tongue lashing about their seeming lack of spine!!!!
I don't associated "lock-box" with a promise from me to me to pay me some day. That sound more like a New Year's resolution.
But the original statement stands. Unless there is a major change in the process, there is no reform - there's just a change in tax or spending rates.
"... this kind of news which is intended (I suppose) to dishearten republican voters and keep them away from poles, or write off their congresscritters."
Exactly!!
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