Conason: "Bush's Reform Program Smells like Con Job"

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.observer.com/pages/conason.asp

Bush’s ‘Reform’ Program Smells Like a Con Job

by Joe Conason

To anyone who has observed professionals working a con, the high-pressure sales pitch for Social Security privatization seems suspiciously familiar. Come to think of it, so does George W. Bush’s back-slapping style, which is well suited to promoting his vague, wildly expensive "reform" proposal to the nation’s teeming rubes.

Like a grifter conjuring visions of wealth if only we trust him, Mr. Bush spouts promises that evaporate upon closer inspection. First he predicts that we will earn far higher future returns on our "personal" accounts, the name he prefers to "private" accounts, which doesn’t poll well. (He never mentions the substantial risks, or the management fees that would drain away income.) Then he promises that we will each control every dollar diverted from Social Security. (He actually knows that your investment choices would be strictly limited.) He says we will be able to leave the privatized accounts to our heirs. (He neglects to explain, of course, why his plan would make that virtually impossible.)

Meanwhile, directing our attention away from all this fine print, he warns repeatedly that should we decline his amazing offer, all the taxes we’ve paid toward Social Security during our working lives will disappear when the system suddenly goes "bankrupt." (That alarming assertion contradicts his confident prediction of burgeoning equity growth, but he’s betting we won’t figure that out, either.)

So if we listen to him, we really have no choice. We must hurry—and not worry about borrowing another few trillion bucks to finance his scheme.

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[Nikepallas]

1. YEP and I have been surprise by some die-heart Repugs who are even saying:

Bush is going a bit too far this time. They think the attack on the AARP is really low down and he has lost their support because of this.

[napi21]

2. And he's losing a lot of support from those who voted for him too.

GOOD! I say Keep it going George! That deep hole you're diggin'...keep o diggin'. We'll wait for a few more monthe before we start fillin it in!

[Generator]

3. Love it. So true

America-the reality show.

Staring the lovable huckster Gee W. With special guest star, Condi "I'm not a liar" Rice. What does she have to do with social security? She's not sure. But she's here to provide "moral" support for the dear Prez in chief while sussing out her chances of an '08 bid.

On tonight's show, George chats with everyday Americans that have pased blood and loyalty oaths. They all agree-Gee W. has the best smile for miles around. Oh yeah, and whatever he says about social security is so true! It's not patriotic to disagree with the President. And we get to be on TeeVee!

Condi gives that face (oh you know the one) to anybody that even thinks of asking her hus..president a real question. That's moral support.

George only manages to insult the Hispanic farmer this time. But all is bueno, Gee W. knows Tex-Mex. And he's been to farms. He understands. He wonders out loud if Hispanics have the same life span as the Blacks...thus increasing the appeal of his message..but it's time for a message from our sponsers...fade to...

The AARP just WHO's side are they on?

[flpoljunkie]

8. Great post!

[msongs]

4. dems need to emphasize this angle in a coordinated way......

at least as coordinated as we can be :-)

watch out suckas Bush is gonna steal your social security.

now there is a nice hook for a radio ad.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/liberaltshirts.htm

[Cha]

5. bush is 20 time Loser who

needs rove and the big lie machine to get him office and keep him there..why would we trust him with our SS money?

I wouldn't trust him with my lunch money!

[stevedeshazer]

6. I SO hope Bush* keeps this up

This is one of the best Democratic campaigns the Republicans have ever run, and it's at their own expense.

[OneBlueSky]

7. and what is the con man's objective . . . TO GET THE MONEY! . . .

and that's exactly what this SS "reform" bullshit is all about . . . they just want the money that's poured into the system every year, for their friends in the investment industry . . . just like they did with that huge trust fund in Texas, which they ultimately bankrupted . . .

make no mistake . . . Social Security "reform" isn't about saving the system, or helping retirees, or any of the other platitudes they're putting out there . . . it's about one thing and one thing only . . . THEY WANT THE MONEY! . . .

[tanyev]

9. So that's what I smelled.

Whew.