Dems' Own Social Security Road Show Kicks off in NYC

[Catchawave]

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_063...

As President Bush visited Westfield, N.J. to tout his Social Security reform plan, the Democrats kicked off their own Social Security tour at New York City’s Pace University.

Sen. Hillary Clinton blasted the President’s plan as risky and said recipients would face benefit reductions of one-third.

“I don’t think it’s right to saddle the students her at Pace and future generations of workers with over five trillion dollars worth of debt that we have borrowed from China and Japan and other countries,” she said.

"Social Security is not in crisis. It’s not bankrupt. It's not about to be bankrupt,” Sen. John Kerry added. He said that only a small gap needs to be filled.

more.....

[Skidmore]

1. I saw it on C-SPAN earlier this morning and it was excellent. I hope they

have similar teams going out all over the country.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. where is the similar campaign agains the bankruptcy atrocity? (EOM)

[Skidmore]

3. Agreed. This should be occurring also. Or be combined the topics

in a broader economics forum.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. why is the democratic leadership

afraid to take on the economic issues being handed to them by the rethuglican feeding frenzy? The Party of Enron is in a feeding frenzy and the Party of Working Families is afraid to speak up.

The entire rethug strategy for this non-election year is to ram through hugely unpopular legislation that directly hurts middle class working families and pay the cost now, and then push the warn-turr and moral values crap during the election year. Gee we've seen this all before.

This is a gift waiting to be opened, and instead of pushing the issue, taking on the class warfare aspect, it seems to me that the democratic leadership is once again nuancing themselves to death.

The question isn't how should we reform SS, it isn't broken. Instead of demanding that the unaffordable tax cuts get rolled back first, before one dime of benefits are cut, before the fica tax is raised one dollar; instead of demanding that the corrupt thieves in washington keep their damn hands off of the SS trust fund; our leaders are getting ready to fall into the trap set for them by proposing a democratic ss reform BEFORE the retehugs have even put their plan on the table.

Instead of screaming at the top of their lungs what an outrage the bankruptcy bill is, how it will hurt working families in crisis, how it retains corporate bankruptcy unchanged, how rich people will continue to be able to avoid all obligations, our party is silent and cannot vote in unity on this core issue. Howard Dean where are you?

I've got an idea, how about the DNC establishes some simple rules: break party ranks on core issues, no funding from the DNC.

[sadiesworld]

8. I AM LIVID!

These dumbasses JUST NEED TO SAY "NO"! Why is Reid saying he will COMPROMISE if * drops the personal accounts? I'm with you, all they have to do is refuse to make the tax cuts for those earning over $200K permanent...hey, JK--it was a good idea when you were running for president--WTF happened?! There is no excuse for this, the dems have the country behind them.

They're going to fold.

I hope I am so wrong on this.

[fedupinBushcountry]

9. Did you even watch it ?

The name of the tour is Fix IT Don't NIX IT. There is a problem but it is in the longterm, we fixed it back in '84, it just needs an adjustment.

If you watched it, you would have known that John Kerry, not only talked about the tax cut, but explained that the tax cuts which are not permanent yet will cost us $10 trillion in the next 10 years. The fix it, would only need $3.5 trillion in the next 75 years, so THEN he went on to say all we have to do is roll back the taxes of those earning $300,000 or more, and the long term problem is fixed. He also continued on how we need to be discussing HEALTHCARE that is the CRISIS.

Name calling gets you nowhere, especially when you just do it for your own satisfaction with no idea of what was said.

[Catchawave]

10. Hi Fedup ! Welcome to DU !!!

I hope Cspan repeats this! The Dems also need to highlight the cost of administering private accounts. Bush leaves this out.

I'm just so worried about our min wage workers trying to support families too. "Do I pay the electric bill, or donate to my retirement account?"

[sadiesworld]

14. I read the linked article and it stated that Reid sent a letter to *

saying the dems were willing to compromise on SS in the event the personal accounts were dropped. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to compromise with that freak on this issue. The $ owed the trust fund needs to come out of the monkey's tax cuts. Do you REALLY think this is the part Reid thought * might compromise on??????!!!!!! Of course not. Other than that, just leave it alone until we have someone sane in the WH. I'm with Paul Krugman on this one: JUST SAY NO!

[Catchawave]

20. I think SS should be a non-partisan effort....

...if Reid is reaching out to fix it, then he's just doing what the MSM has been flogging the Dems for. Ya know the..."stop whining" spinny-spin-spin?

WE need a better plan, that's all. Let's get it OUT there

[sadiesworld]

23. Why are we "fixing" something that isn't broken?

How about this for a slogan: IT'S THE DEBT, STUPID!

Read some Krugman articles (please).

[Catchawave]

26. I agree...like AARP says:

"If the sink is broken, you don't tear down the house to fix it"....but they're off battling the Swifties by not rising above them....erggghhhh.

I love the slogan about the debt, but Bush's Rovian politics is embracing "FEAR" once again. "We're all going to die, wait, no, our children are all going to die penniless", no wait...ad nauseaum.

I'm burning out when yahoo'ing and googl'ing only produce:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,149493,00.html

crap.

I need a solid Dem position. "Bush is sending us down the crapper" just isn't working with, personally, my friends,family and neighbors right now. I want more substance, and choices to frame my debates with these assholes.

[sadiesworld]

29. We were winning this issue with the "no crisis" meme.

The polls have consistently been in our favor. The pukes have been ducking for political cover. * hasn't put forth anything that passes the smell test, instead waiting for the dems to come along and share the political heat. But hey, sorry you didn't get a shiny packaged plan to address a manufactured crisis. Oh, wait a minute...looks like Reid might be coming to your rescue.

[porkrind]

28. I don't think there is any such thing as "non-partisan" these days

The only thing non-partisan seems to be pandering to corporate interests. Unfortunately, all republicans and many dems have this problem. Otherwise, the republican fascism has become so militant and hysterical, there can be no reasoned debate. The days of non-partisan cooperation over issues of obvious public good are gone for awhile.

[Warren Stupidity]

39. that won't keep our 'leaders'

from trying over and over again to play nice and be fair. The Republicans are trying to wreck social security and our leadership is going to try and meet them half way in the spirit of compromise. How many times do they have to get sucker punched before they learn to just stay away?

[vickie]

15. Fedup is absolutely right. It was a great meeting and the Dems

got across a very strong message on social security and the economic impact of the current disgraceful economic policies.

[sadiesworld]

18. Read post #14.

[Ernesto]

17. Welcome fedup!

As for the name calling....... You better get used to it. We've got plenty for everyone.

[kris10ep]

7. Sen. Byron Dorgen of North Dakota called Bush’s plan...

“one big wet kiss to Wall Street from the Bush Administration.”


That's the best I've heard it summed up yet.

[Catchawave]

11. Yes indeedy....this is definitely about the banking lobby and

...those eensy-weensy "administrative" fees. Anyone who's ever diddled in the market should know about those. Especially when they're higher than the interest earned!

[Robert Oak]

22. he's actually someone I'd like to see run for Pres.

He says a lot of very good stuff...

dunno much about him but he hits the hot issues with the DNC well.

[Robert Oak]

21. Because Hilary voted FOR IT! can you say corporate party member?

Hilary is a NO NO NO NO! She also helps TARA and other outsourcing
companies take American jobs.

Citibank and MBNA have more than a few "purchased" congress members
through "campaign" contributions.

Will anyone explain to me how requiring a congressman sell out
due to our media driven election cycle and sell out big to special
interests isn't any different from the 1870's time frame of basic
bribes and mass corruption?

Sure walks like a duck, squaks like a duck, looks like a duck...

gee, must be a duck.

[Catchawave]

4. I would have loved to seen that !

We need a Cspan schedule at the top of the lobby page with the radio programs

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. Saw it on C-SPAN too. The 85 yr old man is great. They asked

if he was on drugs and he said, "Prescription" -- got a giant laugh. Kerry still can't connect with people on the base, human level. Just not in him. They could have come up with some better citizen examples (except for the old guy). The senators came off a little patronizing. But the old guy had a great line, "it feels so good to be with the 'GOOD GUYS' " He also talked about the depression and how horrible it was -- implying that B** plan would lead to that. Hyperbole -- but who gives a shit about what they say. That's what we need.

All in all, it is good start !

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

12. Former Senator Launtenberg??

Last time I checked, Lautenberg is STILL the Senator from New Jersey. Nice job, MSM!

[napi21]

13. I watched it as well. They all did great!

I was quqite surprised at the apparent candor of each speaker. And I mean EACH ONE! Kerry was much more relaxed that I've seen him in a very long time. So was HIllary, Chuck Schumer, Byron Dorgan, and Harry Reid. They seemed to really be able to connect to the audience, both in house and in TV land as well.

[Catchawave]

16. Can someone point me to where the Dems have framed

this debate? So far, all my searches are turning up Republican talking points and astroturfed op-eds.

Dems really need a PLAN, otherwise, no MSM will take us seriously!?!

I have seen no serious alternate-plan, that doesn't have a "contribute" button attached nearby....oy.

[sandnsea]

19. Go talk to Warren Stupidity

Up above. He says there's no need for a plan.

Once again, grassroots Democrats aren't even in the same book, but both scream at the leadership.

File that under why the leadership quit listening to grassroots Dems.

[Catchawave]

24. I saw Warren's post....

...bankruptcy? I guess it's related to the topic, but didn't answer my question. Do the Dems have a SS "PLAN". Just trying to frame my debate. If there's a PLAN that's better than what Bush is "warring" on, I'd like to get those talking points out THERE

[sadiesworld]

25. Plan: Don't make the tax cuts permanent for those who earn $200K+

and use the $ to repay the trust fund. The slogan for our plan: IT'S THE DEBT, STUPID. See, there's a plan.

[sandnsea]

27. Warren doesn't want a plan

Because we don't need one. So how is the leadership supposed to "have a spine", when no matter what they do some Democrat will accuse them of being spineless.

[Catchawave]

30. BINGO....we have no PLAN....

and the repugs know that?

I want talking points pointy-point-pointing to a Dem Plan. More or less beyond the current talking points that the Bush Plan won't work.

This is my angst

[sandnsea]

31. Oh never mind

My point is that it doesn't matter what Dems do, some Democrat will still complain. Walter Stupidity DOESN'T WANT A PLAN. He's screaming at the leadership for the mere suggestion that we might agree to a plan. How is the leadership supposed to reconcile the demands of you AND Walter? Why can't Democrats understand that moving this way or that is often in response to the demands from DEMOCRATS, not Republicans?

In fact, I don't necessarily want a plan either. If we offer a plan too soon, it takes the focus off the fact that they've stolen our FICA money and gives credence to the need for a solution which favors Bush. As long as I support the goal, I get on board whatever strategy the leadership decides on. If they decide to roll out a plan, I'll get on board. I don't know why more Democrats can't do the same thing. That's my point.

[Catchawave]

32. I rest my case ....

thanks. We have no Plan

Why is this so hard?

[fedupinBushcountry]

33. And neither

And neither do they. The point is that * is going around the nation toting his lies with no plan on the table. What the Senators are trying to do is to make people aware and educated on the subject. Remember we are up against the Rove money machine.

[Catchawave]

34. I agree about the Rove Money Machine....

...I just want "WE/us" to be louder and armed with facts and slap a giant dick of a SS program on the table for the sheeples to WOW at

We know that Bush is using our tax dollars to promote his snake oil $$ Plan, and the MSM is rolling over and having their bellies scratched!?! Not a pleasant picture, but the only one I have so far

Is it okay for me to be angry and disappointed with my party (not DU)...until then? I mean, I donate to my local, state and national Dems AND Boxer, but saw nothing about the Bankruptcy vote? Why? I do depend on them ALL to educate me? I'm running out of money and patience....thanks for letting me know that Fed, I can't take on the Rove Money Machine alone

[fedupinBushcountry]

36. Bankruptcy Vote

The vote has not even occured yet. Senator Schumer is planning and hoping to get it filibustered. The Dems are fighting, but our problem are the few that don't get it, like Nelson from NE. There will be more debate on the floor on Monday, so far I think they have turned down every Dem admendment. Watching C-Span is an education in itself.

[Warren Stupidity]

37. Argghhhhhhh!

1.) SS is not broken. OUR PLAN IS CALLED SS. It has worked for 70 years, it will work for 70 more. Here is our plan: keep your goddamn hands off of SS. End of plan.

2.) the republicans claim SS is in a big crisis (it isn't) and yet they have not put forward an actual proposal to resolve this crisis. You might think that they have made a proposal, but actually they have not done so. They have floated 'trial balloons', like pirvatization, but they do not have an actual proposal. Ask yourself why? Oh never mind, I'll tell you why: it is a trap, orchestrated with the MSM to try to trick the Democratic Leadership to put forth their own 'plan' to fix SS (which isn't broken mind you.) Once our idiot leaders move in any direction away from SS as it is, they've agreed to the bogus assertion that SS is broken and needs to be fixed.

3.) I brought up the bankruptcy bill in this context because SS-deform and bankruptcy-atrocity are both part of the off-year strategy of the Republican leadership to push all of its politically damaging anti-family crap now, and then focus on warn-turr and fambly-vals (aka gay-bashing) next year for the '06 elections. The Democratic leadership is being offered a huge economic wedge issue, a chance to re-assert core Democratic Party values, a chance to remind all of those red-state voters that the Party of Enron is not their friend and that the Party of Roosevelt has been fighting for them all along. Are they doing anything about it? Not in my opinion. Instead they are proposing republican light kinder gentler cuts in SS. F them and the horse they rode in on. Instead they are breaking ranks and voting for the anti-family MBNA-sponsored Credit Card Company Usery Protection and Enhancement Act of 2005, the 'bankruptcy bill'.

Half of the people posting here have bought the assumption that SS is 'broken and and needs to be fixed'. That assumption is the big lie, the frame, the spin. Reject it. It is bullshit.

p.s. my name is 'Warren Stupidity' not 'Walter Stupidity'. Walter Stupidity would be a really stupid name. I'm stupid, but not that stupid. My name is Warren Stupidity and I approve this message.

[ferg]

35. there is no problem, therefore there is no plan

Social security has a surplus for the next 25 years. That's a surplus after the last baby boomer retires. And that's under the gloomy "intermediate" scenario. Social security is in great financial shape.

Why should there be a plan? The current plan, i.e. social security, is doing just fine.

On the other hand, the general fund has a deficit of $400 billion a year, now. Where's the Republican plan for dealing with that problem?

[Warren Stupidity]

38. We have a plan.

It is called Social Security. It is not broken and does not need to be fixed. You have been lied to and you have bought into the bullshit.

[rndmprsn]

40. Social Security fight is on : Dems vow push vs. Bush plans - AZ Republic

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles...

Jon Kamman
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 6, 2005 12:00 AM

In what is ballooning into the most intense take-it-to-the-people campaign in a decade, top U.S. Senate Democrats vowed Saturday in Phoenix to fight President Bush every step of the way on his 60-day, 60-city push to make private savings accounts part of Social Security.

"We're going to match him meeting by meeting, stop by stop, city by city," Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told a partisan crowd of several hundred people at Phoenix Civic Plaza.

The party's highest-ranking senator, Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, called for full mobilization of grass-roots networks to preach the party's assertion that Bush's plan would cut benefits and add as much as $5 trillion to budget deficits.

Phoenix was the third stop on a two-day "Fix it, Don't Nix it" barnstorming trip that also took Reid, Durbin and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., to New York, Philadelphia and Las Vegas. Dorgan heads the party's policymaking committee in the Senate.

[Warren Stupidity]

41. as some of you might already know

I have a major problem with the theme of 'Fix it, Don't Nix it'. The theme ought to be 'It ain't broken. Party of Enron: keep your hands off of our Social Security'.

[rndmprsn]

42. i'm happy that reid and the leadership are giving no ground...

in this battle, i think this issue has reminded alot of dems of their core values and some have grown a backbone...i like that they will follow shrub around the country stop for stop and start acting like a real opposition party.

war in iran by the summer?, war with syria and N korea too?...i think this issue will be the war at home in comparison.

[Hotler]

44. Are they really growing a backbone????

Or is this just another show to make the people think that they really care about us. Remember how they rolled over like puppies during the first 4-years and remember how they and Kerry just gave up and walked away from the last election. I bet a $100.00 donation to this web site that the decision has already been agreed upon by both parities to privatize S.S. and this is just a show to make it look kinda good. There will be a half-ass fight right up to the end, then the Dems will bail and leave us hanging. If they really-really cared, they would have been standing up and screaming out loud right after the first election. There is just to much money to be scammed and pocketed for them to stop it. No body goes to Washington any more to represent the people. They go to get rich, period.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

43. Not a very balanced article

Some of the Republican assertions appear to be reported as fact, and the Republican POV is given the last word.