Just got on a RW talkshow discussing privatizing SS

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

I started out by saying I was born in the 60's and came of age in the 80's and never planned on SS as my source of retirement. I took "ownership" of my own retirement and invested. However, just because I was blessed with brains, fortunate opportunities and "married well", I know there are people in this country who have no such blessings . I would be willing to support eliminating SS for those above a certain income level who really don't need it in order to save the system for those that do. He tried telling me that I want to punish the successful and I responded that I don't see it as punishment and if he views it as punishment, he is probably too selfish to privately donate either.

That was the first time I ever called one of these goofs...it was fun. :bounce:

[Richardo]

1. Hey gal, you did GOOD!

How bad did he trash you after he hung up on you?

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

2. Left him whining and angry. What fun!! nt

[DinahMoeHum]

3. Did you tell them that what Bush proposes is no less than the

breaching of a social contract?

We have to re-frame this issue. Let's call this so-called privatization of SocSec for what is really is - the breaking of a social contract between government and people.

:smoke:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. Nope, sorry....my point was to point out the selfishness

And reinforce the idea that we, as a society, have a greater responsiblity than ourselves to help those who really need it. If it is "patriotic" to support our troops, I say it is also "patriotic" to support those less fortunate.

[Pirate Smile]

5. Nice work. Here's to you.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

[NYCGirl]

6. Reframe the debate by not talking about "privatizing" — instead call it

"CORPORATIZING" Social Security.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

7. We need some kind of talking points

Is there any cohesive Dem talking points for issues such as SS, tort reform, tax reform, etc? One of THE most successful strategies of the RNC is the single-voice buzzwords that get transferred from media source to media source.

Would really like some PR/marketing types to provide some resources/guidance. I realize that there are issues with media access and I don't want to degenerate into a segment over who owns this media outlet or that media outlet. I just want to have some direction on using a cohesive voice.

[bunkerbuster1]

8. Mega-Kudos! and to answer your question

We could do worse than to repeat what's on the democrats.org homepage right now:

* If you retire in 2022, Bush will cut your benefits by almost 10 percent.
* If you retire in 2042, Bush will cut your benefits by more than 25 percent.
* In 2075, our children and grandchildren will face a staggering cut of 46 percent to their benefits.

And let's make sure everyone knows that Arlen Specter thinks this sucks ass, as well.

[bunkerbuster1]

9. Also, mention that the Bushies are on record as PAYING journalists

Let's get people seriously questioning the integrity of those supposedly independent "journalists" who are soft-soaping the trillion-dollar raid on our Treasury.

After all, if BushCo were willing to spend 240K of our tax dollars to Armstrong Williams shill an already-popular program (No Child Left Behind), God only knows what kind of generosity they're showing people on this highly controversial topic.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

10. He's my Senator....I'll be sure to call and support his opposition.

Thanks, I haven't spent much time at the Democrats.org since I found DU but I will revisit. I want to use the catchy, one voice buzzwords too...people tend to glaze over when reciting facts. Any PR/marketing efforts from the Dems to provide such guidance to speak in a cohesive voice?

[bunkerbuster1]

11. I sure wish there were. This is a winner for us.

Honestly, I'm awaiting marching orders. I'll meet with my local county Dems tomorrow and ask but it shouldn't come to that. This is a huge issue, and one we not only should win, but use to win in 2006.

But to sum up my approach:

* Financially, it's smoke and mirrors. You don't make up a shortfall by BORROWING MORE.

* Arlen Specter, a Republican, doesn't support it.

* The "crisis" is manufactured. Bush himself has been claiming that SS would implode in ten years, in 1978.

* "keeping more of your own paycheck" = paying current recipients LESS, unless you BORROW. Which is what they are proposing to do, 1 trillion+.

I'll add this: I really AM willing to talk seriously about addressing future issues now by restructuring schedules, trimming back increases if necessary and so on. But NOT if a giveaway program for the brokerage firms is part of the deal.