WP: GOP Seeking a Deal on Accounts

[kskiska]

Anxious Lawmakers Negotiate With Democrats on Social Security Changes

Sunday, February 27, 2005; Page A01

President Bush is still in the opening phase of a campaign to sell the public and Congress on his ambitious plans for Social Security, but some Republicans on Capitol Hill have decided it is not too early to begin pondering an exit strategy.

With polls showing widespread skepticism of Bush's proposed individual investment accounts and Democratic lawmakers expressing nearly uniform opposition, some allies of the president are focused on possible split-the-difference deals.

As described in interviews, most of these compromises would involve Bush significantly scaling back his proposals for restructuring the popular retirement program. In exchange, he could still claim an incremental victory on what he has described as his core principles: enhancing the long-term solvency of Social Security and giving younger Americans options to invest more of their retirement money.

(snip)

White House officials said Bush is open to such a compromise and will continue to signal this publicly in the days ahead.

But all this maneuvering assumes that Democrats are looking for compromise -- rather than the opportunity to hand Bush the kind of monumental defeat that President Bill Clinton suffered 11 years ago with his proposal to change the health care system. Clinton's signal error, most of his aides concluded in retrospect, was not dropping his plan in favor of a bipartisan deal on more modest legislation while he still had enough political leverage to bring Republicans to the table.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56464-2005Feb26.html

[still_one]

1. if the democrats compromise on this

damn them!

[imenja]

12. there is not indication and they will

and if you read the article, it says the Democrats are united in opposition against privatization. Moreover, a good portion of Republicans are against it too. This is a battle Bush will lose.

[still_one]

17. I believe you are right, but I am still nervous

[xray s]

No No No!

No deals. They will compromise in the Senate, then get their way when Delay screws us when it goes to Committee, and they will kill Social Security at 3am one cold dark morning.

The problem isn't Social Security. It's Bush looting Social Security.

Period.

[imenja]

14. the deals are being proposed by Republicans, not Democrats

That demonstrates that the Republicans know they have an uphill battle on this one. Think about it. They are offering deals before a majority of their own party have signed on, and before legislation has been proposed. It shows Bush is getting desperate on this one.

[bluestateguy]

2. Did Republicans offer the Clintons a deal of health care in 1994

No they did not, even when it was not popular. They worked to defeat it. Not modify it, not tinker around the edges with it, but defeat it through root and brach opposition. The same should be expected of the Democrats here today.

[BlueManDude]

4. The Kristol Memo - do you remember it?

Right around Clinton Health Care time William Kristol authored an influential memo distributed to GOPers about how absolute resistance to ANY health care reform was essential to the party.

The idea that the GOP offered some compromise is horseshit.

[depakid]

9. And Kristol WAS RIGHT!

That was one of the hallmark failures of the short Democratic majority.... (the other being the half hearted attempt to reinstate the fairness doctrine in Congress- which met with a Republican filibuster).

Dems could learn a lot about how to win from the far right....

[BlueManDude]

10. Purely politically - yes he was

beyond the merits of the issue (which were all on Clinton's side) politically the GOPers paid no price - indeed prospered- from their ideological opposition to improving the nation's health care system.

[BlueManDude]

3. Does anyone doubt that some will Dems roll over?

Any change in SS is a victory for Bush - and a disater for everyone else. There is no problem with SS and no reason to fuck with it right now. I got a call from the DSCC today asking for $$$ and I told them in no uncertain terms - prove yourselves on SS and I'll give more $$$ - but if you're gonna "compromise" to "fix" a system that ain't broken then I'm gone - permanently.

I hope they surprise me but hey let's be real here...they're Dems and they are weak and scared.

[sidpleasant]

22. Some Dems? No, just one: Lieberman

Joe is the big hole in Democratic unity this issue. For some reason that makes sense only to him Lieberman seems to be willing to betray everything the Democratic Party has stood for since the Depression and "work with" the GOP to kill SS.

[BlueManDude]

23. Lieberman won't be enuf

others will have to follow (assuming Bush gets all the GOPers) to avoid filibuster.

Oddly enuf I don't think Lieberman will ultimately take the plunge there are others I'm more worried about. Nelson - NE and Landrieu - LA among them.

[cally]

24. Feinstein may also

If she does, she will face an enraged electorate. She doesn't seem to understand her base anymore.

[tsuki]

5. Clinton back down because he thought the will of the people were

against his proposal. The difference in the REPUBLICAN PARTY stance is that they won't back down. The REPUBLICAN PARTY will smear, debase, lie , manipulate, and destroy anyone or anything that stands in their way.

[Erika]

6. Demand that your Dems in DC resist any SS change

I'm from a red state with all DC reps Republicans. I have written all of them voicing my disapproval.

Those of you who have Democrat reps should yell hard and loud.

I have told DNC that they cannot expect any $ from me if they compromise on SS.

[ribrepin]

26. Copy of letter I wrote to my congress folks--they're all Dem

I was born in April 1950 and have heard all sorts of rumors about what President Bush’s plan will do to me. I have paid into Social Security for 34 years and it seems that President Bush’s plan may insure that I receive nothing or very little. I don’t have time to make a killing in the market, even if I had the know-how.

Carly Fiorina was recently ousted from Hewitt Packard. She has received 189 million in compensation since Hewitt Packard hired her. I don’t see why Ms. Fiorina should have her social Security contribution capped at $88,000. After all, Ms Fiorina told congress "There is no job that is America's God-given right anymore." I would like to propose to Congress that we take the caps off Social Security for individuals, but cap the business contribution at $100,000. Business doesn’t need the extra taxes right now, but individuals making millions can certainly afford to pay 6.5% to keep the elderly from eating dog food.

If this plan goes through, it will certainly increase the deficit. The baby boom generation will not be able to retire and make room for the younger generation. It’s not like Bush doesn’t have a track record now. Most of his plans have proven more expensive than he has said--prescription drugs come to mind. Iraq has also been much more expensive than first advertised—where’s that Iraq oil money that was going to pay for the war and reconstruction?

I am asking you to increase the contribution for millionaires like Carly Fiorina and Ken Lay to try to preserve Social Security for the rest of us. The bigger problem right now is the budget deficit. If we cannot get that under control, Social Security won’t matter. The United States will go the way of communist Russia. This Social Security idea could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back as far as the budget goes. Privatizing Social Security will be extremely expensive.

The government has spent the surplus on general budget items. They take the surplus and replace it with treasury bonds. There was a total of $1,530,764,000,000 of bonds at the end of 2003. When the baby boomers begin to retire, they will need to be cashed; but there is no money to pay for the bonds. Had the government never spent the money on general expenditures, this wouldn't be a problem. So when you hear that "close to $2 Trillion" figure thrown around it's to pay for the bonds that the government has spent. So basically a lot of people are paying for the same thing twice. Now, instead paying their own debt, the government will borrow almost $2 Trillion at the expense of the taxpayers.

Social Security is not an investment opportunity, but not an insurance program for the elderly.

[Trajan]

33. GREAT Letter ....

And great ideas ....

The $88,000 cap makes FICA a poorman's tax .... There should have NEVER been a limit ....

[ribrepin]

36. Yes, I'm rather proud of my letter

There is no reason why millionaire CEO's should have their FICA contributions capped. They should pay FICA on their bonuses too.
:D

[Mountainman]

7. Dems really don't have to do anything but stand pat.

We hold the best hand and the publics opinion is on our side. If we do anything we lose.

Repubs said all last week that the problem now is that the Dems haven't come up with a plan. They know that if we cave in even an inch we concede our side and agree that social security is broke.

Again and again over and over. We have nothing to gain by being repub lite !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamesinca]

16. I got a plan, and I am a Dem

"Repubs said all last week that the problem now is that the Dems haven't come up with a plan" I call my plan "Patriots and Heroes United with Christian Keepers" or "PHUCK"

Here is my plan, only tax those that make $89,700 per year or more. A majority of the population will not have this tax on them, since the median income in this country is $40k per year. If I remember my numbers correctly 70% of the population makes less than $50k per year. It will be less of a burden on a majority of businesses because they will not have a share to pay until somebody reaches that amount, and very few percentage wise ever do. Social Security will be good until infinity and beyond. If a compromise is to be made then get rid of my plan and keep Social Security the way it is.

Be sure to phrase it as a tax burden imposed by Republicans on the population and businesses if they don't go for it. They were presented a plan that reduced taxes and ensured a source of income in retirement and voted against it, so that would mean they are in favor of taxing people and businesses. We know that would get their knickers in a knot.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Fuck you GOP!

If the Dems know what's good for them, they'll force the Repubs to put a vote on the floor that will probably be split along party lines. Republican voters I've talked to will knock anybody else's welfare payments, but get defensive when you go after their safety nets.

[Gloria]

11. Hey, GOPers, talk to Lieberman, he'll deal!

And what of Reid's announcement that Dems were unified on SS???? Who in addition to Lieberman is ready to undercut Reid????

[Nothing Without Hope]

13. It was the neocon plan from the start - the Dems CANNOT compromise on this

This is the neocon gameplan:

Propose something unthinkable, then, when there is objection, brag about your flexibility and propose a "compromise" which is totally horrible and what you wanted in the first place.

This is not something that can be compromised over. Either Social Security is looted and destroyed or not.

[OHdem10]

15. Each of us had better conta ct Baucus, Blanche Lincoln

Wyden,Conrad--all Democratic Senators. On Capital Gang tonight
(CNN) it was reported that these are the Senators to watch. They
have been trying to work out something with Republicans.

These same 4 are among the 11 who voted for that sorry Medicare Bill.

John Sununu. Senator--Republican reported this.

I agree-- what is wrong with making Bush realize he had the wrong idea in the first place. There was no concern for Clinton.

[annabanana]

18. Here they are: contact info (with Lieberman too)

Make sure they know that anything that DIVERTS FUNDS AWAY FROM SS is unacceptable!

Baucus, Max - (D - MT)
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
http://baucus.senate.gov/emailmax.html

Conrad, Kent - (D - ND)
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
http://conrad.senate.gov/webform.html

Lieberman, Joseph - (D - CT)
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?regarding=issue

Lincoln, Blanche - (D - AR)
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
http://lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html

Wyden, Ron - (D - OR)
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
http://wyden.senate.gov/contact.html

[Califooyah Operative]

21. thank you. - It's up to us to apply the pressure...nt

[scarletlib]

19. NO DEALS NO COMPROMISE NO CHANGES

Message to any and all Democratic Congresspersons and/or their staff/aides who read DU.

If the repugs want to "save" social security let them develop and put up front their own plan. do not give them any cover. do not let them claim cooperation and victory.

If the repugs want to really save social security let them repeal the tax cuts to the rich. that will go a long way to help.

[Itsthetruth]

20. Price Indexing

Watch out for price indexing. That could be Bush's backup plan to "fix" social security.

[bvar22]

25. Do more than just stand pat on this issue:

Social Security is NOT the issue....the republican Economy IS the ISSUE!! It is a FAILURE!!!

[Melynn]

27. Will the Dems snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

The Democrats are on the verge of winning the Social Security battle. If the Dems cave on this issue they deserve to be the minority party.

Come on Dems. Trying winning for a change. Victory feels good.

[despairing optimist]

28. Here's the deal: Impeach Bush and Cheney, remove the Cabinet,

retire RW ideologues on SCOTUS, indict DeLay and remove him from office, send Frist to an animal shelter.

Then we'll talk.

[papau]

29. GOP May Seek a Deal on Accounts

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56464-2005Feb26.html?sub=AR


GOP May Seek a Deal on Accounts
Anxious Lawmakers Negotiate With Democrats on Social Security Changes
By John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, February 27, 2005; Page A01


President Bush is still in the opening phase of a campaign to sell the public and Congress on his ambitious plans for Social Security, but some Republicans on Capitol Hill have decided it is not too early to begin pondering an exit strategy.

With polls showing widespread skepticism of Bush's proposed individual investment accounts and Democratic lawmakers expressing nearly uniform opposition, some allies of the president are focused on possible split-the-difference deals.

As described in interviews, most of these compromises would involve Bush significantly scaling back his proposals for restructuring the popular benefits program. In exchange, he could still claim an incremental victory on what he has described as his core principles: enhancing the long-term solvency of Social Security and giving younger Americans options to invest more of their retirement money.

In one example, Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R-Fla.) said, a compromise might involve merging Bush's proposal with plans -- some backed by Democrats -- that create government-subsidized savings plans outside Social Security. Under this scenario, Bush's proposal to divert 4 percent of an individual's Social Security payroll tax would become 2 percent or less.

"The president could claim a real victory just by getting personal accounts," said Shaw, who has shared his ideas with Vice President Cheney and White House senior adviser Karl Rove. "It may be that a hybrid" is the key to compromise.
<snip>

[charlyvi]

30. God please don't let the Dems compromise!

We can ride back into power on this one!

[David Dunham]

31. Any Dem who supports a "compromise" should be thrown out

Compromising on this issue will kill Social Security too.

[lancdem]

32. I agree

This issue is huge; it's all I'm focusing on now.

[Eric J in MN]

34. No compromise. Keep the securtiy in Social Security.

Diverting money to private accounts hurts the solvency of the system.

[rodeodance]

35. NO compromise!! it is not help solvency and the WH admits this!!