Bush Not Revealing Social Security Details ('nowhere near ready')

[truthpusher]

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/02/01/ap/headlines/d8803rpo0.txt

Bush Not Revealing Social Security Details
By TERENCE HUNT

WASHINGTON -

(snip)

Bush's strategy to offer a partial outline rather than detailed remedy reflects a split between the two houses of Congress about the president's role in the politically sensitive debate.

In the House, where every seat is up for election every two years, Republican leaders want the president to present a specific plan and work to sell it to the country before pressing Congress to vote. But key Senate leaders prefer that Bush work behind the scenes with Congress to develop a bipartisan consensus.

(snip)

Bush is nowhere near ready to propose actual legislation, and a senior administration official cast some doubt on whether the administration would even be ready to spell out details in late February or early March, as had earlier been suggested.

Many Republicans fear that Bush's Social Security plan could cause a backlash, as did the Clinton heath-care proposal in 1994. The unpopularity of that plan contributed to heavy losses for Clinton's Democratic party in both the House and the Senate.

more:

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/02/01/ap/headlines/d8803rpo0.txt

[merwin]

1. At this point, I don't even think the GOP would let it go through.

Maybe after it's been spun for a year or so, but not before then.

[RobertSeattle]

2. It's "hard work" putting a Camel though the eye of a needle..

[Pam-Moby]

5. HAHAHA yes such hard work that B*sh does everyday for us...n/t

[adigal]

3. Don't those pesky Democrats know??

That Bushie has a Man-Date? How dare they get in his way???

Seriously, I think the concerted effort of Dems and others opposed to his dismantling of the system has made his plan very difficult to pass.

[Career Prole]

4. They've tried several dress rehearsals but so far

he's unable to get through the whole thing and keep a straight face.

[bemildred]

6. Nowhere near figured out how to sell the scam. nt

[lovuian]

7. He wants to see the Democrats Plan so he can say see they

want it too!!! No Bushie this is all your Babie!!!

[AuntiBush]

8. No. You're kidding, right.

Bush not revealing anything. Oh, please ;)

I think it's a facade, to keep our minds off of something bigger coming down the pike, sadly. Besides, the people won't stand for it - mandate or not!

:kick:

[librechik]

9. don't be silly.The bill will arrive 20 min. before the vote

all 3000 pages of it. And they'd better approve it or else.

[Strelnikov_]

12. Yep. Worked Well For The Patriot Act n/t

[cyberpj]

10. I thought it was leaked and Raw Story had it here:

http://rawstory.rawprint.com/105/social_security_1.php

[aikido15]

19. That story pissed me off so bad...

It sounded like something Hermann Goering would write.

"Most people don't know how many millions make a billion."

I sent a copy to MMFA, the part about "Democrats and Liberals" looked as if they took a lot of statements out of context to use the progressives to push their agenda, didn't it?

[cyberpj]

24. Sorry, I can't think of what MMFA is - but YES, I agree with you. eom.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Ladies and Gentlemen....

You are witnessing the BushBackPeddleBushBackPeddleBushBackPeddle.

[aikido15]

20. lol...cute!

[driver8]

22. That is hilarious!! Very appropriate...

My God -- I cannot stop laughing at that little dancing man!!

[Petrushka]

13. Re: the link you posted --- "404 - File Not Found!" --- (eom)

[truthpusher]

23. Here's another link

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/state_of_union_8

[Dr Fate]

14. Not ready? He has had 4 years to get ready...

...somthing is fishy here.

[Straight Shooter]

15. But I thought he knew SS was in crisis since, what, 1985? 1988?

The gods are rolling in the cosmic aisles, convulsed with laughter.

[KingoftheJungle]

16. Again, be thankful we're being overrun by such morons

It could have been a whole lot worse...

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. The little peckerhead is gonna lose this one.

I have to believe that, and there are a lot of signs pointing toward a complete rejection of his "concept".

[teakee]

18. Someone needs to 'quack, quack' loudly during his 'State of the Union'

Let Bush realize early, he's a lame duck.

[pacalo]

21. That's just like the nitwit-in-charge to campaign for a half-baked idea,

aggressively putting the fear into those who easily believe his propaganda.

I saw a Democratic Policy Committee hearing on social security the other night on C-Span. Two high-ranking SSA employees -- Debbie Frederickson (Minneapolis) & Steve Kofahl (Seattle) -- testified about how upset SSA employees are that this administration is using them to deliver its privatization message. Using government employees as political pawns to promote political agendas is abuse of power, particularly in this case where SSA employees serve the public, mostly during times of personal distress. This issue hasn't even been debated/voted on in Congress!

SSA employees have been subjected to tutorial sessions that tout the "merits" of privatization. Both Ms. Frederickson & Mr. Kafahl presented charts of talking points that they were expected to relay to SSA recipients. Some of the points include, "SSA is in crisis; privatization is the answer" and "Modernization must include individually controlled, voluntary personal retirement accounts to augment social security benefits."

Ms. Frederickson testified that the SSA employees believe in their jobs & that integrity is essential in maintaining public trust. Clients are generally served during the most critical times of their lives & they expect to be given truthful, straightforward information; they aren't there to hear a political message.

Mr. Kofahl testified that it was the first time in his 31-year career at the SSA that federal employees have been used to promote a political message. He had received many complaints from employees who felt it was wrong to promote a message they didn't agree with.

I'm disappointed that there is absolutely no mention of this hearing on the C-Span site. I had planned to recommend this video, because these witnesses were impressive. Sen. Sarbanes told these witnesses that if they experience any retributions from testifying, they should contact him or any other senator on the committee.

[Itsthetruth]

25. Will Bush Mention Clinton's Earlier Call For Privitization?

In his State of the Union address, Bush may mention President Clinton's advocacy of "private investment" accounts and perhaps Bush hopes to find enough Senate Democrats who want to find "common ground" on this matter to open up the door to privatization.

[Bridget Burke]

27. Were Clinton's "private investment" accounts coming out of SS?

Or were they a separate deal? That's a totally different thing....

[Itsthetruth]

28. Clinton Proposed Investing Social Security Funds In The Stock Market

Washington Post
January 20, 1999


"Speaking in personal terms about the obligations of his baby-boom generation, Clinton proposed allowing the 64-year-old retirement program to invest a portion of its money for the first time in the stock market. And he pledged a new program that would spend billions to create individual accounts designed to coax Americans to invest more for their retirement."

I'm against investing any social security funds in the stock market via "private accounts" or any other methods.

[TahitiNut]

26. "nowhere near ready" = half-assed

Typical half-assed, half-baked bullshit from the medacious moron.