Republicans Seek Strategy to Abandon Social Security Overhaul

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=a_6iatpmNuLc&refer=us

Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Prospects that the U.S. Congress will pass an overhaul of Social Security this year have vanished, leaving Republicans to debate how best to walk away from the centerpiece of President George W. Bush's second-term domestic agenda.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate said a comprehensive proposal had no chance of being acted on this year, even though Republican leaders such as House Speaker Dennis Hastert, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Representative Roy Blunt haven't publicly abandoned the effort.

``It certainly doesn't appear to me it's going to happen,'' said Representative Jim Kolbe, an Arizona Republican and a supporter of Bush's proposal to create private investment accounts using Social Security funds.

Bush's proposal has been hobbled by flagging support from the public and near-universal opposition from Democrats. Hurricane Katrina, which struck Aug. 29 and may cost as much as $200 billion, has made it even more difficult to proceed with a comprehensive Social Security measure this year, said Representative Clay Shaw, a Florida Republican who sits on the Ways and Means Committee.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. How about with their tails between their legs, like they usually do

Nobody but them want it fooled with.

[Gloria]

2. "near universal opposition from Democrats"--now, if we had

that on most of Bush's agenda and appointees, maybe the world would be different.
Because, by opposing strongly, you awaken people ....

So many missed opportunities to awaken people...

[Telly Savalas]

6. People were already awake on this one for the most part.

The AARP was solidly behind the Democrats on the Social Security issue. Given the degree to which their membership votes, the AARP is one of the more powerful organizations in the country.

[tabasco]

3. All they have to do is tell Bush to STFU.

We would all forget about it in a week.

[stepnw1f]

4. Social Security Is The Peoples' Piggy Bank, You F*ckers!

We will not forget your attempts to destroy it. Psssst... your nuts are in a vice right now, waiting to be squeeze. Just wait till we are back in power! You thought FDR sucked.

[DemInDistress]

5. The GOP is looking for a way to blame Democrats

for failing the Social Security situation.Not that I believe Soc. Sec.
was in trouble.One way to beef up S.S. is abandon those tax cuts and
create a Windfall Profit Tax.Hell,the Oil Industry combined 90 profits
were 62 billion dollars and thats from Jan thru March 2005...