Reply #16: I will let Mother Jones speak on this. "The End of SS as We Know It"

[madfloridian]

First I never said it should be a savings account. My concern is that those on the system now will not survive, as the money won't be there. It is cruel to do this to people who planned their lives, tallied in the SS and Medicare...which they of course had to take...they are not choices but forced on seniors. We are lucky enough to have good pension plans and annuities as well, and I hope I never lose my compassion for those who do not.

Mother Jones spoke to this in 1997, regarding the goals of the Democrats, mentions Bob Kerrey in particular leading the way. It mentions the statement by Rob Shapiro, former DLC president

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1996/11/dreyfuss.html

SNIP..."Many within the Democratic Party are beginning to lean toward privatization. "The party that created Social Security is best equipped to redesign Social Security for a new generation," argues former Democratic Rep. Tim Penny."

"Rob Shapiro, vice president of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), agrees. "Only a Democrat can lead the effort for Social Security reform. The Democrats will just kill any Republican who tries to mess with Social Security. So, next year, we are going to run a big project on Social Security." (According to the Wall Street Journal, State Street is planning to help fund the DLC's think tank, the Progressive Policy Institute.)END SNIP

It is long and involved, and mentions the intents of many groups on the subject.

"Only a Democrat can lead the way..." says it all. Maybe then we won't squawk so much because we won't believe it.