Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL): Silent (a message about Social Security)

[csziggy]

I got this email from Ben Nelson today:

Just as lawmakers were preparing to leave Washington last week, a group of seven Republicans quietly filed a bill in the House.� Their proposal would effectively end Social Security as we know it.

More specifically, it would have Americans opt out of traditional Social Security and put money into private accounts at risk in the stock market.�

Well, I'm betting enough people don't want to stake their retirement future on Wall Street -- especially not after the hardships they've experienced during the recession with declining IRA's.

To make sure the Republican plan doesn't succeed, we have to bring them some unwanted attention.

Click here to sign my public petition opposing House Republicans' Social Security privatization plan now.

Unfortunately, Social Security isn't the only promise Republicans are trying to break.� The House recently passed the so-called Ryan budget that puts Medicare under a private HMO system.

While we all should agree on the need to reduce the government's debt, I believe privatizing these two programs isn't the answer.� Instead, we should be working within the current structures of these vital programs to ensure both remain intact for those who pay into them during their working years.

This is why I'm turning to you for help. Please join me in fighting back against those who want to hand over Social Security to profit-above-all-else interests.

Sign my petition against the Republican plan to privatize Social Security today.

Thanks for being engaged,

Bill Nelson

[Jackpine Radical]

1. That's one of the better things I've seen out of Nelson.

[csziggy]

6. Yes, that is why I posted it here

I plan to call his office tomorrow to thank him and express my support for protecting SS AND that I expect him to protect Medicare and Medicaid, also.

[PSPS]

2. "the need to reduce the government's debt"

While we all should agree on the need to reduce the government's debt, I believe privatizing these two programs isn't the answer.

It's terrible that he adopts the false canard framing of republicans on this issue. Social Security doesn't play any role whatsoever in "the government's debt." It isn't part of the federal general fund at all. It's a completely separate insurance program. It has trillions in surplus. It will do just fine for at least another 40 years, perhaps much longer. And simple minor adjustments made now would guarantee its continued success in perpetuity.

It has trillions in surplus, and that's what the banksters and their on-the-payroll shills in congress are salivating over. They'll do and say anything they have to so they can drain that money into their own pockets.

[Better Believe It]

3. Does Senator Nelson oppose other schemes to cut Social Security benefits?

Such as increasing the early and/or full retirement age for collecting benefits, recalculating the "cost-of-living" formula used for benefit increases and means testing for Social Security, maintaining the cut in the employee Social Security tax contribution, cutting the employers contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund.

[csziggy]

7. I have not kept up with all of Nelson's positions

I would expect with the number of retirees he represents in this state, that he would protect all the provisions of SS, but who knows? He is in a very red area with a bunch of tea baggers coming after him. But that seems to be pushing him more to the center than to the right from what I have seen.

[OHdem10]

4. Wall St. has salivating after the SS Fund for years. Good little

cushion to cover the gambling habit.

The GOP has been all to ready to please their Wall Street
buddies. Bush was the last to try it. Do we have any
Conservadems with these leanings??? I hope not.


Hey, guys. Does anyone else find it suspicious or at least
eyebrow raising for the Republicans come out with a full
throated assault on SS.??? Ryan is non apologetic and out
there sellling his plan. I believe Santorum came out with
part of his platform--privatize SS. Now this post about
some members of House.

What is going on??? Do they believe they have 18 months and
they can sway the country to their side on these issues??
PLEASE DO NOT DISMISS the ability of the Republicans?
What is our plan??

[Dragonfli]

5. Judging by all the negotiations I have seen from our party the past 2 year I would say "our plan" is

to meet the Republicans halfway in an endeavor to spread love and bi-partisanship in DC in an attempt to "save us" from our war and tax cut debts by cutting social programs dramatically.

Hell, the plan was even telegraphed well in advance by the choice of staffing (and conclusions reached) by the "cat food commission"


That and about half the tax cuts the Republicans want.




We were making stupid deals like this when we controlled three branches of government so I imagine there will be even more cover for our Neo-liberal party elite now that the Republicans control one branch. It will be stupid, wrong, and very bad for the country but I fully expect this is the plan you were asking about.