Reid: No Senate Dems for Privatization

[Zynx]

<snip>

Bush has yet to spell out details of his plan but hopes to build public support and win over some Democrats while shoring up support from his own Republicans who control Congress.

Without Democratic support, the plan will fail to win the 60 votes needed to overcome procedural hurdles which can block any major piece of legislation in the 100-member Senate.

Reid said none of the 44 Democrats in the Senate would back a plan that diverts Social Security taxes into accounts that workers would invest in stocks and bonds. Opponents argue it would only add to Social Security's financial problems, force big cuts in benefits and add to ballooning budget deficits.

<snip>

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7504441&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

That's good to see.

[genius]

1. Who cares? They don't have the votes.

[Skinner]

3. They do have the votes.

You need 60 votes to break a filibuster. The Republicans only have 56 if the Dems have 44. So if Reid is correct, we can kill this thing.

[K-W]

4. Plus there is no garuntee Bush gets full republican support.

Its a rather controversial idea on the right.

[Skinner]

6. Good point.

I should have said that Republicans have a maximum of 56.

[Walt Starr]

11. I doubt that Jeffords will back it

So hopefully it will be a lock solid 45 against and maybe 6 Republicans will break ranks.

If we can get it shot down in an up or down vote, that will be the end up his shrubberiness.

[charlie]

7. Snowe, Specter, and Chafee look like they'll join the nays

as well. Harry may even be able to enjoy some insurance against Dems going wobbly.

[Walt Starr]

14. Jeffords and three more Republicans puts this thing DOWN

in an up or down vote.

That would be DEVESTATING to the Shrub.

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. And when we do, the repukes will start shouting

"fear! fear!" and blame the dems for obstructing their solution to the most critical threat since Saddam got the nukes.

Facts mean nothing to these people -- it's all in how they spin it.

[truthpusher]

21. Skinner....

...this story was posted in LBN and there are more comments here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1204832&mesg_id=1204832

I am a little concerned about the effect that the SOTU address might have tonight...I sure hope Bush can't wiggle out of this one.

[cthrumatrix]

2. shrub is whisting in the wind

[Emboldened Chimp]

5. Jeffords and some moderate Republicans may also oppose it...

Which would leave Smirky's SS plan up shit's creek where it belongs.

[iwantmycountryback]

23. There's many House Repubs who seemed to be opposed to it

Especially from Florida. Also, according to Josh Marshall, Repub Sen. Gordon Smith from Oregon is opposed to privatization and is a member of his "Conscience Caucus."

[SaveElmer]

8. You are forgetting something...

They are congressional Democrats (re: spineless)...someone will cave.

[ultraist]

9. They will cave? Don't count on it!

Bush is pissing in the wind on this one. Democrats have NO reason to support Bush on this. NOT ONE.

This is good news. I'm glad to see there is some organization, unity, and coalesced opposition to the Repub party at the jump of the new session.

[truthpusher]

10. This is a Duplicate from LBN Forum....

...more comments here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1204832

[rniel]

12. Based on what I've seen so far

from the democratic party I wouldn't be surprised to see them just roll over and play dead like little doggies. It's the one trick they do well.

[ginnyinWI]

22. haven't been watching the news lately?

:nopity:

[cornermouse]

13. I don't know.

I honestly thought they would do something about Gonzales. They had to be pretty much forced to do what they did to Condi. I voted for Kerry and we can see how that turned out. I'm not sure I believe Reid at this point.

I really am feeling pretty discouraged about the democratic senators and representatives. I think they've become too close, too friendly, too involved in that special little world that they share with the republicans who don't appear to return those close, friendly feelings.

[spooked911]

15. Excellent news

[ohtransplant]

16. This is why * hasn't put out a plan.

Their proposals will keep morphing into whatever part of their plan is "do-able".

For sure they won't take real measure like raising the wage base.

Dems shouldn't count their chickens yet. * has shown he'll use threats and even force to get his way. Let's not forget the vote on Medicare.

[Azadre]

18. Thank God!

It's time we see our boys fight for our rights! We are a society that lets the elderly live comfortably. Death to privitization!

[On the Road]

19. THIS is What You Save the Filibuster For

[mdhunter]

24. Agree.

The AG nomination is a sham anyway.

Either it's Gonzalez, who has a bad history with civil liberties, or a guy with no history who will do Bush's bidding anyway.

If the democrats use it then, it may not be around when they really need to stop something that will hurt more people.

[Zynx]

29. Indeed. There is nothing more important on the domestic front this year.

We MUST stop this.

[frankly_fedup2]

20. Isn't it time for another one of his vacations?

All he needs to do is concentrate on bringing our military home. Everything he has touched during both terms of his p(r)esidency has been complete failures.

He needs to stick his thumb up his ass (or whatever he does all day) for the next four years and leave everything else alone.

His continued approach at trying to change Social Security is an absolute guarantee to bankrupt this country.

I have worked since I was 16 until the now age of 45. So if he changes SS Retirement, do I get back all I have paid in before taking a portion to invest? Will my husband get all his back. Does the employers get their 1/2 of 7% they pay in for their employees. Can you see why he is wanting to change this? Companies would no longer have to pay into it for each employee. Another thing they don't have to do for a dedicated worker and more profit for the companies. What happens to those of us who are 54 and under . . . do we get a choice in the matter? The more I think about it the madder I get.

Can't the Republicans see that this man is not well psychologically? They could tell Reagan was having problems in his second term and kept him quiet and behind closed doors mostly. Can't the Republicans tell Bush and his company that this is a mistake.

I would like to ask the Republicans are they happy they got this sob in office again? Because when he screws the American people . . . that includes you too. Your kids are dying in an unjust war just like Democrats kids are dying.

Our Government borrows money from SS Trust Fund for other things, AND, that keeps this country from having to sell all of its bonds to Saudi Arabia and China. It's not right, but it keeps this country from becoming completely bankrupt.

If he was wanting to help the people of this country instead of padding the pockets of those on Wall Street even more, he will stay behind the scenes and leave the laws of the land alone. We will make these decisions once there is a more qualified person in office.

For the love of God I cannot take much more of this man. Even the Pope two years ago claimed he was the antichrist himself.

[creeksneakers2]

25. Reid is going to say he's for more choice and control for retirees

Dems keep making their rebuttals fuzzy because they are afraid they'll look this way or that way. Saying choice and control implies workers don't have the choice and control they deserve now. Its not a investment plan! Reid is going to make it sound like it is one.

The Democrats have to oppose this with guns blazing. Its not enough just to kill Bush's scheme. Bush's plan is evil enough to sink lots of goppers in 2006, and the time for war is here.

[Hebegirl]

31. This is Going to Kill Me

I love how chimp co-opts the language of reproductive rights- ie, choice, control, private, personal, etc. But he and the Repukes vehemently are fighting women's reproductive rights. I am on the verge of insanity. The social security thing is sending me over the edge. I agree - Reid and them need to SET the tone and FRAME the debate!! We will lose if they simper and wimper and adopt the lingo of chimp (ie private, control!) This is EXACTLY what is wrong with mainstream Dems right now! It's that they are so afraid of the Repukes "branding" them as being "against " choice, privacy, control (now that is really funny). But the Dems have got to stand, and stand NOW. They have to create their own frame for the debate. Where the hell is Dean in all this? I hope he registers his position loud and clear- against the Shrub scam! The opposition must OPPOSE and say this is what we STAND FOR- the collective- all of us- in it together- pooling the risk- income insurance - preventing poverty- giving workers what they have worked hard for and what we DESERVE (Chimp knows all about 'hard work,' I know)

[Democrat Dragon]

26. OMG! are they finally growing a SPINE?

But let's not get too optimistic, BushCo. has their tricks.

[russian33]

27. Finally! United in opposition...that's what the opposition party..

...supposed to look like.

[EVDebs]

28. And with the smart Republicans jumping ship and joining the Dems

or facing a lifetime of ridicule for signing onto another Bush suicide mission, why, the Beltway will be abuzz ! Repubs will be singing "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" ... but they will lose this one. Bush ain't no Lola !

[HockeyMom]

30. Don't Understand

why the young would support this either. They can "invest" in 401Ks, IRA, etc. Why would they want to mess with SS? That is your SAFETY NET. My 20 something kids are not buying into this. Both of them have said it will be a cold day in hell they will invest in private SS.

[Hebegirl]

32. It's Probably Ignorance

Shrubco is so good at stoking the flames of fear and dividing one generation against the other...and he is such the despot that it starts to seem like 'whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.' That is the strength of his evil. I hope enough younger people have parents or grandparents who will talk some sense into them!!I also hope that on prinicple the WW II generation stands with us against this SS scam. I think they will, even though supposedly the current generation of SS recipients won't suffer any benefit cuts (yeah, right).