Bush Says `Drastic' Action Needed to Save Social Security

[RedEarth]

Bush Says `Drastic' Action Needed to Save Social Security
March 4 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush, facing a decline in public support for private Social Security accounts, said ``something drastic has to happen'' to fix the retirement safety net that has served workers for decades.

Without changes to the system, younger taxpayers won't be able to collect Social Security after paying into it for years, Bush told a crowd today in Westfield, New Jersey. ``If we act now, we can do it in a way that saves the system for younger workers,'' he said.

New Jersey is the 10th state Bush has visited since his Feb. 2 State of the Union address to campaign for his plan to let workers younger than 55 invest about one-third of their Social Security taxes in stocks and bonds.

A Feb. 24-27 Westhill Partners/National Journal magazine poll found 61 percent of voters disapprove of Bush's handling of Social Security, up from 52 percent in January. The survey was the third in two days showing support for Bush's plan eroding. Democrats such as New Jersey Senator Jon Corzine, a former Goldman, Sachs & Co. co-chairman, are holding their own town-hall meetings to reinforce opposition to Bush's private accounts.

Appearing with Bush was Representative Mike Ferguson, a third- term New Jersey Republican who's waiting for the specifics of Bush's proposal. Last year, Ferguson voted with Bush 71 percent of the time, splitting with the administration in his support for a minimum-wage increase and more environmental protection

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=nifea&&sid=ayZdMv63K6iY#

[Zuni]

1. Bush always thinks an extreme solution is the only solution

Iraq may have weapons---so lets start a war.
Social Security may have future problems---lets destroy a system that works...

[indepat]

2. The drastic actions needed are for the Federal government to quit raiding

the lockbox and make good all thoses IOUs.

[dave29]

3. That drastic thing is for him to resign

I think that might solve the immediate problem.

[merwin]

13. Took the words right out of my mouth :)

[Mary in KC]

16. That was going to be my response, too

n/t

[XemaSab]

49. Or

Drastic action is for congress to draft some articles of impeachment...

[cthrumatrix]

4. drastic action is to start "impeachment proceedings" for THEFT

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

8. "Theft" of what?

I don't see what you're getting at.

[cthrumatrix]

23. he said before his election Soc Sec money would only be used for

Soc Sec.... he lied and now he wants to come back and reduce benefits becuase of his LIES.

Read Paul O'Neil's book ...The Price of Loyalty. There was a $2 Trillion surplus that Tres Sec Oneil was advsing Bush to put into Soc Sec to keep it "solvent"...bush said he wanted tax cuts for the wealthy.

If the trustee for your 401k did this...they would be in jail.

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

34. My point is . . .

. . . no matter what feckless "promises" Bush may have made, it has never been the case that the revenues raised by the Social Security payroll tax have always been used to pay Social Security benefits. That is, whenever the payroll tax has in a given year generated more revenue than was needed to pay Social Security benefits that year, Congress has ALWAYS spent the "surplus" -- either to fund other government programs or to pay down the national debt. That's how the Social Security system was designed to operate from its inception in 1935. Indeed, that's what the Social Security Act requires.

[Junkdrawer]

35. As the late Sen. Heinz (R) said: "It isn't theft - it's embezzlement"...

:evilgrin:

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

36. Well, one might characterize it as "embezzlement" . . .

. . . but the fact remains that it's the system Congress set up in 1935.

[Warren Stupidity]

41. fine but

the surplus is used to purchase treasury bills (special t-bills but t-bills just the same) and it is the revenue from those t-bills that are used to pay current accounts. Greenspan (the same creep) negotiated this deal with congress more than 20 years ago to 'save' ss from this future we are now approaching. That deal raised FICA taxes drastically, and in exchange the surplus went into t-bills THAT THEN HAD TO BE PAID BACK to fund the boomer retirement. Now the same shithead greenspan, apparently suffering from senility as he can't remember the deal he concocted, wants to renege on the the commitment. "Cut the benefits", he says, "gotta do something ALL THEM BILLS ARE COMING DUE."

Here is what we can do: roll back the unaffordable income tax, estate tax, dividend tax, and capital gains tax cuts. That will help reduce the deficit and make it possible for the federal government to meet its ss obligations starting in 2018 when the boomer gravy train finally runs out. Do it now! Put the federal government back on the fiscally responsible path it was in before 1/1/2001 when it ran into the bush train-wreck.

[Warren Stupidity]

25. the federal government has a constitutional obligation

to honor all of its debts. Asserting that the government cannot pay its bond obligations back (ss is going broke, crisis!) is in essence announcing that the government intends to steal the ss trust fund bonds.

[skeeters]

5. Did His Nose Grow

Sure Pinochio. And Iraq was about to attack us any day with missles fired out of a mules butt. Shut up you lying, Pinhole.

How Stupid does he think we are? Oops, we still have plenty of Stupidity that will probably believe him.

[sadiesworld]

10. Welcome to DU, skeeters!

"...missiles fired out of a mule's butt" indeed. :) Maybe it should be elephant's butt though?

:hi:

[Hand]

6. I agree completely!

First, rescind the tax cuts of 2001 and following.

Second, raise the SS income cap to, say, $500k.

Third, exempt, oh, maybe the first $30k of income from SS tax.

That oughta do 'er...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. The best tactic that can be used...

In any demonstration against this moron is laughing and pointing.

[Fridays Child]

9. Hey, George, how's that creating "our own reality" thing working for ya?

[LynnTheDem]

11. "DRASTIC" such as keeping bush's TEMPORARY tax cuts for the 1% richest

AS TEMPORARY.

And gee, that would fully fund SS until the 22nd century.

Wow that is DRASTIC!

[Junkdrawer]

17. I can't believe Dems aren't hammering that one 24x7...

"You used the SS surplus to justify the tax cuts. Now you want to keep the tax cuts, but claim SS is in crisis"...

[Warren Stupidity]

30. has anyone seen an opposition party?

I seem to have lost one. I think it may have been stolen.

[Junkdrawer]

33. Try to retrace your steps. When was the last time you saw it?

I remember seeing something like it during the summer of 1968 if that helps.

[Warren Stupidity]

37. dammit you're right

I was marching down michigan avenue with the poor people's march for peace and justice and somebody stole the party right out from under me. I did see it briefly in '72, but then it was gone again.

[LynnTheDem]

42. What we're paying for invading & occupying Iraq would fully fund SS

I don't know why Dems aren't hammering EITHER points.

A war of CHOICE and bush CHOSE to spend our SS on HIS war of CHOICE.

TEMPORARY tax cuts that BUSH now CHOOSES to make permanent for his 1% richest Americans is MORE IMPORTANT to BUSH than keeping them temporary and fully funding our SS.

As ALWAYS with republicans, it's SCREW THE PEOPLE and further enrich the ultra-rich. That IS the republican platform.

[bif]

12. Drastic action needed to save our country

from these assholes.

[CO Liberal]

14. OK - Let's Start With Bush's Resignation!!!!!

:-)

[n2doc]

15. I agree! Impeach the chimp! n/t

[zann725]

26. I "third" that motion!

This nation is, AT THIS MOMENT, careening off an economic and constitutional cliff, and unless someone grabs the wheel real quick, and turns us back on the 'road,' We the People, Democracy...AND Social Security are goners.

We can NOT count on this Administration, OR even most of our Dem rep's to grab that 'wheel' for us.

[sniffa]

18. we need to invade syria!!

to save sociaL security.

[HockeyMom]

19. You are aiding and abetting

the terrorists if you don't support Bush's Social Security Plan.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

20. Call, write and email your Congress representatives

telling them to stop this crap. We must be vocal and visible on this!

[Coastie for Truth]

21. Drastic Actions -> Raise the Tax Base above $90K

Eliminate at least 1% of the 2% tax break for the wealthiest 2% in America.

That's all that's needed.

Do the friggin math.

[Warren Stupidity]

28. as usual I disagree.

SS continues to run a surplus and will do so until 2018. Raise the FICA cap above and beyond its annual cola adjustment and the theives in washington will just steal that money too. First roll back the unaffordable income tax cuts on income levels above the current cap limits, more specifically on everyone making more than, oh I don't know, how about $1,000,000/year. Then in 2018 we can talk about adjusting the FICA cap.

FICA = regressive flat tax.
IRS = progressive tax.

First the tax cuts, then the cap.

[zann725]

22. And that "drastic action" is IMPEACHMENT now!

n/t

[Kimber Scott]

24. Why do we have to pay for this guy to try to force feed us more of his

bullshit? Can't he stay home and do presidential stuff, like work on world peace, fair trade, and taking care of sick people as opposed to playing snake-oil salesman?

[ClintonTyree]

27. Uh Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..............

Remember when the neo-cons needed "something drastic" to happen to forward the PNAC agenda? Enter, 9/11.
What type of "drastic" event is it going to take for them to ram THIS down the throats of the American people without any debate?

The Kingdom of Fear, everything is drastic to these fools, keep the populace terrified.

What we REALLY need is "something drastic" to happen so bush is out of the White House sooner, not later.

[Warren Stupidity]

29. Then maybe the *holes ought to put a proposal down on paper.

As currently they have not done so and are playing a game of chicken with our idiotic democratic leadership, trying to get them to put something down first.

You want to change SS? Tell us your plan.

[DoYouEverWonder]

31. I think running out of oil

is a much bigger concern at the moment.

As a matter of fact, this whole thing reminds me of Bush's behavior during the months before 9-11. Again, Bush is gallivanting around the country focused like a laser on a manufactured crisis, while the real imminent threats of running out of oil and climate change are totally ignored.

[Lindacooks]

32. Liar liar, pants on fire.

That's the only thing Democrats need to say to these asscracks.

[Wright Patman]

38. He has 'hijacked' the federal government

And I think to myself every time I look at his primate-like physiognomy, "There's one terrible pilot."

[NJGeek]

39. Son'bitch was in my hometown!

I live in Westfield, about half mile from where he was today. What a dork. His social security plan is going down in flames. May be the next 4 years won't be so bad, if these first couple of months are any indication.

[Megahurtz]

40. Drastic action like

getting your grubby greedy little hands out of the till.

[Emboldened Chimp]

43. We MUST take drastic action TODAY....

...for something that may or may not happen in 2042.

[0007]

44. The first Drastic Action should be in firing junior immediately

Down with the paper hanger

Hitler was a paper hanger too ya know!

[Pachamama]

45. Drastic Action Needed: Remove *'s Ass from Office...is that "drastic"

enough? Oh yeah, did I mention to KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF of Social Security, and how about another DRASTIC Move and stop the tax cuts for the rich? Drastic is absolutely what is needed right now, and I think we should start with my first reccommendation....Thanks for volunteering to leave Office Shrub....

[Toots]

46. Nothing Bush* has said has turned out true

Are people sooo stupid that they can not see what has resulted from Bush* fixing things? He fixed our surplus, he fixed our peace & prosperity, he fixed our voting system, he is in the process of fixing our military, by all means we need to let him "fix" Social Security.

[BRLIB]

47. Drastic actions are needed so he and his cronies in the BFEE

can steal even more from the people. A big pot of money, his dry drunk aphrodisiac. (OK likely not dry)

[Disturbed]

48. The entire Bush Junta needs to be on trial..

for War Crimes.

For those who are not familiar with what War Crimes are:


What is a war crime?
By Tarik Kafala
BBC News Online


Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention defines war crimes as: "Willful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, including... willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement of a protected person, compelling a protected person to serve in the forces of a hostile power, or willfully depriving a protected person of the rights of fair and regular trial, ...taking of hostages and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly."


This, international lawyers say, is the basic definition of war crimes.

The statutes of The Hague tribunal say the court has the right to try suspects alleged to have violated the laws or customs of war in the former Yugoslavia since 1992. Examples of such violations are given in article 3:

* Wanton destruction of cities, towns or villages, or devastation not justified by military necessity
* Attack, or bombardment, by whatever means, of undefended towns, villages, dwellings, or buildings
* Seizure of, destruction or willful damage done to institutions dedicated to religion, charity and education, the arts and sciences, historic monuments and works of art and science
* Plunder of public or private property.

The tribunal defines crime against humanity as crimes committed in armed conflict but directed against a civilian population. Again a list of examples is given in article 5:

* Murder
* Extermination
* Enslavement
* Deportation
* Imprisonment
* Torture
* Rape
* Persecutions on political, racial and religious grounds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1420133.stm


http://www.paranoidlarry.com
http://www.globalresearch.ca
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/index.jsp
http://www.madcowprod.com
http://www.deepblacklies.co.uk
http://www.ndp.ca
http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com

The United States is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which grants all persons freedom from arbitrary detInternational Law (4.00 / 2)

The United States is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which grants all persons freedom from arbitrary detention, accesss to lawyers, courts, fair trial, etc. (They are also fundamental rights under international customary law.)The International Court of Justice and the United Nations Human Rights Committee have held that these human rights obligations apply to all persons coming under the jurisdiction (including custody) of a Government, not only citizens. ention, accesss to lawyers, courts, fair trial, etc. (They are also fundamental rights under international customary law.)The International Court of Justice and the United Nations Human Rights Committee have held that these human rights obligations apply to all persons coming under the jurisdiction (including custody) of a Government, not only citizens.

[indepat]

50. Drastic action is needed to save our Constitution and this Republic

from those who would dismantle/destroy.

[barb162]

51. drastic action to save SS, huh? How about he and his administration

step down NOW and the Democrats take over.

[subterranean]

52. "I'm not going away on this issue, because it's vital''

This is good news. It means Bush is getting ready to drop the issue completely!

[stepnw1f]

53. Impeachment NOW!

Mr. B*sh, you say, "`Drastic' Action is Needed to Save Social Security", so I say we impeach you for threatening our social SECURITY!!!

[NeoConsSuck]

54. Drastic Action? How about re-electing Clinton? (no msg)