New report details politicization of Soc. Sec. Administration under Bush

[Cocoa]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=43632

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, and Rep. Sander M. Levin, along with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and Reps. Obey, Miller, and DeLauro, released a new report that shows how the Social Security Administration has modified its communications strategy to undermine public confidence in Social Security.

The report, based on a review of over 4,000 pages of Social Security documents from 1995 to 2005, reveals that the agency has systematically altered agency publications, press releases, PowerPoint presentations, website content, and even its annual statements to foster the impression that Social Security is "unsustainable" and "must change." The agency's new pessimistic tone and emphasis echo President Bush's warnings about the future of Social Security.

"The job of the Social Security Administration is to run the Social Security program, not to provide political cover for President Bush," said Rep. Waxman. "The agency has sacrificed its independence and abandoned its tradition of nonpartisan administration of Social Security."

"This blatant change in message and tactics is shameless politicization," said Rep. Levin. "The Bush Administration must stop using the SSA as it tries to scare up support for privatizing Social Security. The agency must reassert its independence and promote its goal - professional, nonpartisan administration of the Social Security programs."

The report provides detailed, side-by-side examples of the changes in Social Security Administration documents during the Bush Administration. These changes include:

-- "The Future of Social Security" booklet -- which used to begin: "Will Social Security be there for you? Absolutely" -- now begins: "Social Security must change."

-- Agency press releases on the solvency of Social Security have grown more dire even as the projections of the program's long-term solvency have improved.

-- Agency presentations have eliminated statements that assure beneficiaries that "there is no immediate financial crisis."

-- The annual Social Security statement sent to Americans has dropped the assurance that Social Security will "be there when you retire" and no longer encourages Americans to think of Social Security as a "foundation on which to build your financial future."

The complete report is available at http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov.

[Toucano]

1. Quick! Raise the terror alert level before anybody reads this. n/t

[Megahurtz]

2. No, they'll just create another

cartoon character pushing "tolerance"

[Toucano]

5. You're likely right.

They have to save their terror alerts for the Plame investigation results. ;)

[NYC Liberal]

16. Gee, and Osama hasn't shown up since October....

;)

[livvy]

23. Or get Fox news and the rest of the corportate media to report this...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1272113&mesg_id=1272113

[Toucano]

24. Great.

That should the trick.

People were starting to get too suspicious about the terror alerts. Since the last one ended hours after W was declared the victor in the election.

I'm glad they're rotating their tricks and keeping us on our toes. /sarcasm/

[wishlist]

3. I'm glad this propaganda has been documented- it is a radical change

Social Security Administration had a long history of reassuring the public that the program was on sound financial footing and that they would get their promised benefits when they became eligible. The official SSA philosophy was to try to maintain public confidence in the program and squelch the unfounded rumors of the program going bust. I have noticed how under Bush, just the opposite has been attempted to undermine public support and confidence in the program. Glad to see that the change has been documented.

[Hamlette]

4. I noticed my Social Security "report" which I received Saturday

had a warning that if Social Security did not change, in 2042 it would only pay out 73% of benefits.

Disgusting.

Hey, hey, ho, ho. . .

[bpilgrim]

6. HeyHey-HoHo, Social Security has got to GO! -------------> MP3

http://news.globalfreepress.com/mp3/aar/mr/hhhh-ss-long.mp3

psst... pass the word ;->

peace

[cthrumatrix]

13. this was all shared at a congressional hearing ---- pushed propaganda!

[BlueFlu]

17. 73% is better than Shrub's estimated 40% cut! n/t

[phylny]

18. I'm FUMING.

Here's what part of my notice says:

"About Social Security's future...
Social Security is a compact between generations. For more than 60 years, America has kept the promise of security for its workers and their families. But now, the Social Security system is facing serious future financial prolems, and action is needed soon to make sure that the system is sound when today's younger workers are ready for retirement....

"Unless action is taken soon to strenghten Social Security, in just 14 years we will begin paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes. Without changes, by 2042 the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted.*

"*These estimates of the future financial status of the Social Security program were produced by the actuaries at the Social Seciruty Administration based on the intermediate assumptions from the Social Security Trustees' Annual Report to Congress."

[Hamlette]

22. yes, thanks for posting this, that is exactly what mine said.

propaganda. Pure and simple. Propaganda.

Orwellian too. The system has no money so we should take money out of the system to fix it.

My state legislature passed a resolution urging Bush to pass his social security reform, even BEFORE Bush had announced what his reform was ("ownership" "private accounts", we knew he wanted to take money OUT of SS and "let" people invest it themselves.)

It is a cult mentality when you say "we support Bush no matter what".

Which is exactly what the legislature did in my state. (They also passed a resolution telling the US Senate to approve all of Bush' appointments to the US Supreme Court. Before any have been named. Bush is a cult. His followers are no different than Jim Jones' followers.)

[Roland99]

7. Waxman should be given the Congressional Medal of Honor

Between Iraq on the Record and the Secrecy in the Bush Administration and now this, wow, what more does our freakin' MSM want?!??!

[spooked911]

9. I agree-- Waxman is a rock star.

[bpilgrim]

11. how come none of the Dem leaders stand behind waxman?

is he not in the 'in' crowd?

the elites talk about us not being united wtf about them? we are not children and we know we are being scammed and they have the nerve to talk about 08 and point to folks who haven't even worked up a sweat FIGHTING for us and are NEWBIES!

good thing we have a permanent record on the net which gives us all long institutional memories. but i don't think the elite have figured that out yet even with the dean 'phenomenon'

peace

[Roland99]

15. Because the bulk of our gov't hides behind the almighty dollar

Party membership is a label only.

[spooked911]

8. It's a bloody outrage. The Democrats have to make the media pick this up.

[cthrumatrix]

14. the repugs refused to participate in the congressional hearings

[ewagner]

10. Why?

Why isn't this FRONT PAGE NEWS?

I'm spreading it to every journalist I know.....

[bpilgrim]

12. Thank GORE he 'INVENTED' the INTERNET's!

because it really is up to us to spread the word and NOW more than any other time in HISTORY we have that power :bounce:

psst... pass the word ;->

peace

[AuntiBush]

26. I couldn't agree with you more! Thank you Mr. Gore!

Had it not been for GORE, we'd not have nationwide communicaton with one another. Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Bush & Members Gotta Go..

Evil I tell you. Get rid of SSI for idealogyof a group that feels left out by FDR who outshines them all, and no one cares about us. We the people... yeah. Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, we the people ain't no mo'! Sadly.

[jmcon007]

19. It will never happen....

Of course we have to be vigilant and fight, but I truly believe that what the neocons are doing now is tightening the noose around their own necks. And I, for one, can't wait to dance on their graves.

[xchrom]

21. they're tightening it around our necks.

even if we were to get back in power -- it's a power totally moderated and molded by the corporate oligarchy.
much of what was won't be fixed or put back.
and that's as the ruling calss wants it.

they care nothing for the average red neck, latino, african american who might be foolish enough to vote away their self interest.

[drduffy]

25. your comment is...

"right" on the "money".
Just wondered how the pun(s) would work. Oh well. In any case. I think you are absolutely correct.
rw

[DemoTex]

20. Big bright green ($) propaganda machine is in full swing ...

If an Army marches on its stomach, the Bu$h regime marches to vile propaganda, 24/7.

[UTUSN]

27. Is It Too Late for Tom RIDGE to Come Back from Home Depot? n/t