Lieberman says he is not lying when he sells Bush Social Sec need for Chg

[papau]

Seems Joe does not understand that the bullshit "unfunded liability" that Snow/Bush are selling is not how we check on the health of Social Security. We do projections and check for shortfalls over 75 years for goodness sakes. The increase in a bullshit number is still bullshit - even if the actuaries at the Social Security Administration agree that the calculation is correct. You'd think an educated man would not imply we are $600 billion further behind ever year we wait to fix this if he knew that no one is going cut benefits or increase taxes by 600 billion, and that this 600 billion is over "forever" number of years - so the slightest error in assumptions means that it is hugely wrong - indeed we may gain - not lose - 600 or more billion via a decreased liability every year we wait.

But Joe still claims to be a Democrat. I wonder why?


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/opinion/l18lieberman.html

To the Editor:

Paul Krugman ("The $600 Billion Man," column, March 15) claims that when I say that every year we do nothing about Social Security's coming insolvency we add $600 billion in unfunded liabilities, I am "helping to spread a lie."

Nonsense. Experts we've consulted at the Social Security Administration have confirmed this estimate.

Everyone knows that Social Security is on a path to insolvency. Every year that we wait to make the program solvent will cost us more.

I know that Mr. Krugman opposes the president's carved-out private savings accounts. So do I. But if we stop there, the victims will be tens of millions of seniors who need Social Security to escape poverty.

As a columnist, Mr. Krugman has the right to just say no. As a lawmaker, I have a responsibility to work with other members of Congress in both parties and with the administration to protect this great program.

And as a Democrat, I feel a special responsibility to preserve one of my party's most effective initiatives ever.

Joe Lieberman
U.S. Senator from Connecticut
Washington, March 16, 2005

[BrklynLiberal]

1. blah blah blah..... Why would anyone even listen to what he says anymore?

[madfloridian]

2. And looky what group he quoted... a group who modifed documents.

NEW REPORT DETAILS THE POLITICIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH
WASHINGTON - Today Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, and Rep.
Sander M. Levin, along with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip
Steny Hoyer, and Reps. Obey, Miller, and DeLauro, released a new report that
shows how the Social Security Administration has modified its communications
strategy to undermine public confidence in Social Security.

The report, based on a review of over 4,000 pages of Social Security
documents from 1995 to 2005, reveals that the agency has systematically
altered agency publications, press releases, PowerPoint presentations,
website content, and even its annual statements to foster the impression
that Social Security is "unsustainable" and "must change." The agency's new
pessimistic tone and emphasis echo President Bush's warnings about the
future of Social Security.

"The job of the Social Security Administration is to run the Social
Security program, not to provide political cover for President Bush," said
Rep. Waxman. "The agency has sacrificed its independence and abandoned its
tradition of nonpartisan administration of Social Security."

"This blatant change in message and tactics is shameless politicization,"
said Rep. Levin. "The Bush Administration must stop using the SSA as it
tries to scare up support for privatizing Social Security. The agency must
reassert its independence and promote its goal - professional, nonpartisan
administration of the Social Security programs."
The report provides detailed, side-by-side examples of the changes in
Social Security Administration documents during the Bush Administration.
These changes include:
a.. "The Future of Social Security" booklet - which used to begin: "Will
Social Security be there for you? Absolutely" - now begins: "Social Security
must change."

a.. Agency press releases on the solvency of Social Security have grown
more dire even as the projections of the program's long-term solvency have
improved.

a.. Agency presentations have eliminated statements that assure
beneficiaries that "there is no immediate financial crisis."

a.. The annual Social Security statement sent to Americans has dropped the
assurance that Social Security will "be there when you retire" and no longer
encourages Americans to think of Social Security as a "foundation on which
to build your financial future."
The complete report is available at http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov.
http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/002269.html

[papau]

4. WOW - and sad :-(

:-(

[Hand]

3. He should change his name to "Joe Isuzu"... nt

[ProgressiveConn]

5. Let him keep pimping for Bush.

All it does is help our cause to replace his ass.