"Don't Frighten Seniors, Bush Warns"

[GreenPartyVoter]

NEW YORK (AP) - President Bush says the key to getting Social Security overhaul through Congress is to convince a majority there is a long-term problem and making sure opponents don't frighten seniors into believing their checks are going to be cut.

Asserting "an obligation to lead" on the issue, Bush said an interview with The Wall Street Journal for Tuesday's editions, that he will try to provide political cover for those who support overhaul and make it politically risky to oppose.

"I think two of the things that are going to be important for the members to understand, once they've come to the realization there is a problem, is that no longer can they frighten seniors by saying, if we do this, seniors aren't going to get their checks," he said. "I think it's become pretty clear in people's minds that the issue ... does not revolve around those who have retired or those who are near retirement.

"The issue, really, is about younger workers and most younger workers believe that they're not going to see a dime unless something is done. And most younger workers, as far as I can tell, like the idea of being able to take some of their own money and managing for their own retirement, in order to more likely have the promise of Social Security fulfilled."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050111/D87HTSLO0.html

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[flpoljunkie]

1. Says the man who is saying SS is "headed for an iceberg!" Wake up,media!

The hard sell has begun!

[Inland]

2. "Most younger workers believe they aren't going to see a dime",

Says Bush, who sees the virtue in repeating lies that scare young people. What a dick.

[yurbud]

6. Hitler said repetition is the key to propaganda

And the right has had that line about younger workers not seeing a dime from Social Security on a continuous loop since at least the early 80s.

[Inland]

12. But Bush's scare is truly despicable

because he knows that what young people believe is false--and instead of correcting them, he USES it as the reason for his harebrained scheme!

For me, the worst case scenario for the status quo--getting 70-75% of current benefits--is better than any idea Bush could have.

Reminds me of how Bush took advantage of the mistaken belief that Saddam had something to do with 9/11. He may not have said it himself, but he sure never tried to clear up that error.

[kentuck]

3. Just like when the media said Saddam had nothing to do with 911

But Bush and Cheney more or less came out and said the media didn't know what the hell they were talking about and the people beleived them over the press...they plan on using the same strategy for SS it seems.

[rkc3]

4. "You can't frighten seniors", says Bush, "That's my job."

On edit:

I should add more than just a sarcastic comment.

Two years ago I revamped the 401k plan at our office. Despite weeks and weeks of meetings and education - both internally and from our broker - only a little more than half of our employees signed up for the program. Despite the education and allure of matching funds from the company - most cited a concern over the volatility of the stock market prevented them from making a decision.

One guy in his early 20's was concerned he'd lose everything if the market crashed.

These are the same folks who are suppoed to "benefit" from bush's new policies.

[readmylips]

5. Scaring citizens into voting for you bush...

that really worked. You are putting the scaring tactics out again, bastard.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Have the seniors had enough time to realize how badly he screwed

up MediCare? If so, maybe they won't fall for this. (I know my Nana won't)

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Save our country one town, county, and state at a time!
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[xray s]

8. Bush is so predictable

He always adopts the tactics he accuses others of using.

"Don't scare the seniors", but bases his whole program on trying to scare seniors into believing social security is doomed.

What...an...ass.

[LizW]

9. Guess it's okay to scare the crap out of boomers, though. n/t

[murielm99]

10. There are still a lot of us, so he better watch his step.

[Contrary1]

11. Actually, what he means...

is don't piss us off. The older you get, the
less willing you are to put up with BS.

[XemaSab]

13. Heinous

I'm in my mid-20's, and I'm truly skeptical I'll ever see any money from social security BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ARE SO DETERMINED TO MESS WITH IT UNTIL IT'S BROKEN.

I have money in my company's 401-K, but I also recognize the fact that I may never see that money again.

Our grandparents and great-grandparents had to deal with the Great Depression, and the circumstances that lead to the market crash are still possible. The only thing that prevents the Great Depression from happening all over again is the same social safety net that the republicans are trying to destroy.

If the market crashes, and social security is privatized, then I'd lose both all the money in my 401-K and all the money for my social security, and I'd have NOTHING.

This is precisely what social security was created to avoid.