OK, should the Dems follow or go before Bush with a SS show of their own?

[hector459]

How else are the people in those places that Bush is traveling to going to learn the truth about SS? Someone needs to educate them and expose Bush's lies and half-truths.

[meegbear]

1. Follow ...

let him speak first, then rebut, lie by lie.

[texanshatingbush]

4. I agree--rebut with clarity !

Very important here for Dems to rebut with simple language--taking a play from the Repug's own playbook:
1) here's what Chimpy says
2) here's what would really happen (illustrating "Bush’s Social Security plan akin to a loan
Participants would forfeit part of accounts' profits
By Jonathan Weisman", http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6903404)
3) here's what we propose instead (simple language, illustration parallel but different from the one used in #2, above)

[MsSlacker]

2. SS

Too bad we don't have a few brainiacs thinking up a good solution. I'm glad we at least, have half the population seeing there's something wrong with the Shrub's stand on this. Savings account? I'm a single mom in my late 40s, self employed. At this time in my life I can't even think about trying to save for my retirement.. let along look back on all those years raising my kids on a tight budget.
Oh, yeah,.. but at least those people who can afford to stash some now or the higher incomes don't have to worry about that issue.
Thankfully, I'm not stupid enough to think that any SS after 65 would support me. I'm planning on working until my last breathe..

[ooglymoogly]

8. a lot of us thought that way

but boy that check every month sure makes life better for a lot of people whether you can work or you can't. for many its a life saver..no one knows what life for any of us will be like in 25 years...but one thing is sure that ss check is a lifesaver....so don't discount its value

[KayLaw]

3. I think so

It would be fairly simple as far as I can tell. Just a couple of simple tweaks...raising the cap, scaling back part of the tax breaks for the top 15... Unfortunately, that would only help the average American, so the big corporations would just tear it down.

[indepat]

5. Just tell the people what rethugs said when SS was recapitalized in RR

early days, how it would provide promised future benefits for a long, long time, then point out every lie, distortion, untruth being spouted today.

[PEmboli]

6. I think they have to

come up with a plan. it's just not enough anymore to say no and then not offer an alternative.

[Pepperbelly]

7. a counterplan for what problem?

What should the "plan" do?

And isn't it very cogent to point out that the factual underpinnings of the rationale for change does not support Bush's words and warnings?

[Walt Starr]

9. Have them just propose remoiving the cap for the wealthy

Let them propose the wealthy picking up their fair share of the program. That solves the problem. No cap.

[hector459]

10. Have them follow Bush and just tell the truth with simple facts and figure

Remind people that Bush predicted SS would be bankrupt by 1988. Remind people that Clinton/Gore left SS in better shape than ever before and that the "lock box" was riduculed and joked about by the Republicans because they are not interested in saving SS. They are interested in dismantling the program. They never wanted it in the first place. Nor do they want any other social programs to help needy citizens. They hate Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare, Food stamps, Head Start, and a host of other social safety nets.

[BlueInRed]

11. We must DEFINE the issue first, and NOT let them define it.

Rebutting is fine, but it is not enough and it's what we always do - respond, instead of run offense and SELL.

We cannot allow them to put an image in people's heads that the system is bankrupt. Once that takes hold, rebutting will not be effective. We must take the initiative and put Bush on the defensive now. We must set the frame that SS is solvent and will be until the youngest Baby Boomers turn 78. And then SS will still be able to pay 80%.

We must also sell the image of them STEALING money from the elderly and the Baby Boomers. This image must get in the minds of people BEFORE Bush's frame is allowed to take hold.

This is a PR campaign. We've been right on the facts FOREVER, but has that alone gotten results? No. We have to be aggressive and if the Dems don't act soon, we need more PAC ads to set the frame our way. Paging George Soros, please run ads now....