Posted on 09/13/2011 12:06:00 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Even after an op-ed in USA Today and a strong exposition of his position in last night’s debate, Rick Perry still draws heat for his characterization of Social Security as a “monstrous lie.” A new CNN/ORC poll, for example, reveals that 72 percent of registered voters say Perry’s description of the program is “inaccurate,” while just 27 percent say it is “truthful.” More of the breakdown from WSJ’s Washington Wire:
The survey also shows that 59 percent of tea party supporters disagree with Mr. Perry’s characterization.
Still, 55 percent of those polled say there’s a serious problem with Social Security that will require major changes.
The R/D/I breakdown and methodology weren’t provided and the poll has a margin of error of three percentage points. A poll conducted by TheStreet.com shows a little more than 76 percent disagree that SS is a Ponzi scheme, while about 24 percent say it is. That poll is skewed by the perspective of the website which draws a certain left-leaning readers, but does on some level corroborate the results of the CNN poll. Still, as the Washington Wire points out, much of the kerfuffle about Social Security has as much to do with the language Perry chooses to use than his actual views on the program.
It’s worth noting that his rivals’ attacks on Mr. Perry are just as much about his word choice as his suggestion in his 2010 book “Fed Up” that Social Security violates the U.S. Constitution.
The Texas governor has said there should be a national conversation about Social Security, and that he wouldn’t alter benefits for those currently receiving the benefit or those who are nearing retirement.
If it’s a national conversation Rick Perry wanted, it’s a national conversation he’s getting. The extensive talk of entitlement reform at last night’s debate was long overdue — but, as positive as that development is, it still doesn’t go far enough. Wolf Blitzer managed to make every candidate say what he or she would do to reform the Medicare prescription drug program — but, by and large, candidates still shy away from discussing Medicare reform. And, unfortunately, that program breaks the bank, as well. Just as cutting waste, fraud and abuse won’t balance the budget, so reforming Social Security alone won’t, either. As Herman Cain said last night, it doesn’t matter what we call these entitlement programs, it just matters that we understand they’re broken — and start talking solutions. This guy tried, remember? It’s time to try again.
It’s like standing next to a car with a hearing roaring powerful engine, then looking under the hood and seeing a tape recorder hooked to some big speakers.
>> The survey also shows that 59 percent of tea party supporters disagree with Mr. Perry’s characterization.
I have trouble believing that.
Perry is right, SocSec is a ponzi scheme.
Problem is, many Americans have an entitlement mentality.
Perry needs to do a better job in explaining the dire need for immediate SocSec reform policy.
SS was working for many years when American workers supported those retired. It was a system that provided job opportunities when people retired and relieved those working for providing home and health care for their parents.
SS started to fall apart when the American jobs were exported and neither the foreign workers nor their employers paid into the SS system.
Bring the jobs back, put American workers paying into the SS system again and it will be on its way to recovery.
Dunno about this particular survey, but Perry talking about Social Security this way could destroy his campaign. The public is not ready to hear things like this, calling SS a ponzi scheme and monsterous lie simply scares old people and they will not vote for someone saying such things. Talking dramatically about SS and Medicare or hinting at even changing them very much will send even Tea Party seasoned citizens into a tizzy.
This poll is a monstrous lie.
I know for fact that the Texas Tea Party does not believe Perry’s wrong about Social Security, especially the young ones. They’re no longer willing to send their money to the government and have it flushed down the toilet never to see it again.
Not surprising. If you’re over 40, it’s too late to start over with a new system. Of course people are going to say that, they’re scared of poverty. I’m one of them.
I fear this too, yet, there is also a lot of contradicting evidence:
-Rubio and Johnson ran their Senate campaigns with a similar attitude towards SS and won
-Perry himself leads in the primary polls and is about even w/Obama
What he can do, IMHO, is explain WHY he used the term Ponzi Scheme. Then appeal to their sensible side, say “Look, we all agree it needs reform. Many of you are uncomfortable with the language I used, but, aren’t we past the point in this country where we need to tone down everything we say?”
What bothers me is that it’s not necessarily the idea of SS being broke that people have a problem with, it’s the words he used to say it. Grow a spine, people!
No, people who have paid into Social Security do not have an ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY, they believe they are OWNERS.
At the same time i don't believe the poll results are legitimate. Most of us know very well how Social Security works ~ and it works just like any Ponzi scheme except on the payout side. If it were a real Ponzi scheme the first folks paid off would have gotten back much more than they'd paid in ON THE VERY FIRST PAYBACK.
Remember the deal with a successful Ponzi scheme is that you get the first dozen or so participants to get back truly incredibly large paybacks very early in the game. They do your advertising for you.
Now I don't know if you'd noticed but with Social Security if you don't pay they send guys after you with guns. Ponzi didn't do that. Makes a huge whopping difference in the way the game is run too.
Come on! Some of the public may not be ready to hear such rhetoric. Some of the public appreciates a straight shooter. Perry needs to drill home the fact that seniors 55 and above will not see ANY changes in their SocSec. Most younger Americans understand SocSec will not be there for them unless changes take place asap. Of course the liberal media will not go along with any substantive discussion on entitlement reform and the left will continue to demagogue the issue as they have been doing for the last 50 years!
Don’t forget, in addition, when SS began, the average white American Woman (ages are lower for other populations) could only expect a lifespan of about 67 years. Today that has jumped to a little over 80 years. No one wants to talk about the fact that this was designed for most people never to reach the age in which they would actually retire and get benefits.
What you are imagining is we can bring broom making back to America and put millions to work. It doesn't work that way.
...and suggested....privatization!!!!!
They better get ready quick because the whole house of cards is close to just falling.It begins to pay out more than it takes in in 2020 IIRC and that is only a few short years away.
Every half well informed individual knows that SS needs some reforms. And every individual with half a quotient of common sense knows it’s a dumb ass move to discuss SS as a “Ponzi scheme” and a “monstrous lie”.
If Perry should be the nominee the Dims will run ads with those terms until election day. It’s dumb to give the Dims such easy fodder to use during the general election campaign, and it would cost some votes and might even cost a state or two. Not smart to keep this up.
It’s really simple. We threw away our future in the abortion mills. Did you all not think that we won’t reap what we’ve sewn? Is God a liar?
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