Coleman uses Rethug SS talking points in new letter

[katinmn]

Notice there are no numbers to confuse me. :mad:

Dear Ms. :

Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning Social Security reform.

During the 2000 presidential campaign, President George W. Bush proposed allowing workers to set aside a portion of their existing Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts.

In 2001, the President established the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security to make recommendations on ways to modernize the Social Security system. The Commission produced three reform models. Under all three proposals, workers could choose to invest in personal retirement accounts. And, during the 2004 State of the Union address, President Bush restated his interest in allowing younger workers to invest part of their Social Security taxes in personal retirement accounts.

Under a Social Security system with a personal retirement account option, working Americans could accumulate real wealth for their retirement by diverting a portion of current payroll taxes into personal accounts that are individually owned and controlled. Such a proposal would also provide future retirees with an opportunity to garner a better rate of return than the current system can afford.

Like you, I believe that Social Security reform is a very important issue. Social Security is a vital source of income for many American seniors and it must be protected and strengthened. Guaranteeing that the system continues to provide promised benefits to those who have paid into the system is of utmost importance. It is also important to consider Social Security as it will apply to future generations.

Please know that I will carefully study all reform proposals and support measures that ensure the continued integrity and strength of the Social Security system.

Thank you once again for contacting me. I value your advice. If I can be of further assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate

[Krupskaya]

1. How many of those phrases are word-for-word

from the memo? We need to let him know that we know.

[Demrock6]

2. I bet they all just copt and paste.

I wonder how many emails a Senator gets in a day. Heck spam alone!

[dodger501]

3. Let me count the ways I can rebut this:

"During the 2000 presidential campaign, President George W. Bush proposed allowing workers to set aside a portion of their existing Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts. "

Bush has been touting this since his failed Congress run in 1978, saying SS would be broke by the mid-80's if privatization was not done then and now. He was as wrong then as he is now.

"In 2001, the President established the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security to make recommendations on ways to modernize the Social Security system."

Commission my ass -- made up entirely of privatization proponents.
Next, please?

"Under a Social Security system with a personal retirement account option, working Americans could accumulate real wealth for their retirement . . ."

And what if the stock market tanks, NORM! Who will cover the seniors then -- you? How will you maintain current payments when we have to fork over $2 trillion for start-up. Where do you think that money is going to come from?

"Like you, I believe that Social Security reform is a very important issue. Social Security is a vital source of income for many American seniors and it must be protected and strengthened."

Then keep your Bush-loving neo-con meathooks off of SS and leave it to people who know what they are doing, instead.

[katinmn]

4. thanks, I'm writing him back

and can use your ideas.

I wish just once Norm would put true moral values above politics. Just once. I'm afraid he's a lost cause, though.

He STILL hasn't gotten back to me on how he intends to vote on Gonzales. LOL.