Asked about the prospects of Democrats starting to develop their plan [for Social Security reform], a Senate leadership aide said: “We’re not there yet. We’re on the cutting edge of a conversation that really hasn’t begun yet.
Sort of like being out in front of a movement that hasn’t formed yet.
In the same article Democratic strategists James Carville and Stan Greenberg are quoted criticizing Democrats for denying that there is a problem with Social Security when, according to a recent NPR poll, 63% of Americans believe there is.
“To say there is no problem simply puts Democrats out of the conversation for the great majority of the country that want political leaders to secure this very important government retirement program,” they wrote. “Voters are looking for reform, change and new ideas but Democrats seem stuck in concrete.”
Carville’s and Greenberg’s point is confirmed, oddly but appropriately, by a photo that accompanies the WaPo article (upper right corner; can be enlarged with a click). A group of Democratic senators is shown gathered around a bronze (not cement, but the point holds) statue of Franklin Roosevelt. Most are sporting somewhat goofy grins, as befits the rather silly PhotoOp-ness of the staging, although Majority Leader Harry Reid has his head bowed in a prayerful manner.
I’m no art critic, but to me the bronze Roosevelt looks more vibrant, alive, and forward looking than the backward-looking lock-step acolytes surrounding him.
“Voters are looking for reform, change and new ideas but Democrats seem stuck in concrete.” ”
Voters are looking for strong social security. Right now the fight is over whether bush will get to carve it out and tear it up or not. If you want social security, like the american people do, there’s really no other position to take other than simple opposition to this defunding of social security — specially if you think social security has fiscal problems.
“Sort of like being out in front of a movement that hasn’t formed yet.”
Sort of. Mostly because the long term problems, if any do materialize, of social security are just that: long term.
I think that as more people become retirees on social security, more people will vote for policies that strengthen social security, so the problem will be fixed via our political system.
“Actus
Yes, how dare I decide where to put my money?
If 80% is good enough for me, it’s good enough for our congresscritters and their staffs.
How about we means-test Congress?
Teddy, Corzine, Boxer, Feinstein, get nothing cos they’re multimillionaires.
“Teddy, Corzine, Boxer, Feinstein, get nothing cos they’re multimillionaires.”
Sounds like a great start.
Actus,
We can only WISH that the GOP’s war on the non-affluent was limited to social security. The reality is, we can see this shameful pattern throughout the ideology of the Republican platform.
They are for making bankruptcy as difficult as possible, at the behest of the credit card companies who support them, even though according to studies:
>>>The number of people who try to game the bankruptcy system is remarkably small….
In fact, the vast majority of people who wind up in bankruptcy got there because they lost their jobs or were walloped by a medical calamity.
Researchers at Harvard studied bankruptcies nationwide and found that half of people at the end of their financial ropes are on the skids because of crushing medical debts…Or a child gets leukemia. Or a car crash spares your life but puts you in the hospital for two weeks and rehab for longer.”
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/11066550.htm
Bush’s budget proposals are mercilessly VICIOUS on the homeless, disabled, and elderly.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2597475
Bush’s budget spits in the face of the “no child left behind” mantra with massive cuts of Pell Grants and Perkins Loans.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002198988_ronthomas07.html
What about Veterans? Apparently all the flag-waving, ribbon-tying and Toby Keith-singing hasn’t had much effect on Dubya’s Budget pencil. But Geez, a REDUCTION in Veteran’s Benefits…AT A TIME OF WAR???!!?
>>>Summary:
Notice to national press: Make this your top story of the day
Cobra, your points are right on target; its the classic “starve the beast” scenario: cut taxes to reduce revenue, therefore providing justification for reducing government services.
But yet, it doesn’t end there. Apparently, Rumsfeld might be quick to quip that you ‘go with the army you have”, but you also screw the support that you get.’ As the AP reports,
“The Defense Department hasn’t developed a plan to reimburse soldiers for equipment they’ve bought to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan despite requirements in a law passed last year, a senator says.
Very simply, this is either negligence on their part, because they were not happy with this when it passed, or it’s incompetence,” [U.S. Senator] Dodd said. “It’s pretty outrageous when you have all their rhetoric about how much we care about our people in uniform.”
Soldiers serving in Iraq and their families have reported buying everything from higher-quality protective gear to armor for their Humvees, medical supplies and even global positioning devices.”
“Teddy, Corzine, Boxer, Feinstein, get nothing cos they’re multimillionaires.”
I wonder if the same would apply if existing millionaires become ineligible for the benefits tax cuts provide; with or with out them, they still remain millionaires.
“The administration is proposing $27.8 billion
“Headline: “Bush budget increases funds for Veterans”.
Unless you are liberal Cobra.”
Most people with some economic literacy know that nominal rates are meaningless and real, inflation adjusted, numbers are the ones that we ought to use.
Cobra,
as someone who often disagrees with your views, and occasionally comments to that effect, I just wanted to say that this is an excellent post.
“Sort of like being out in front of a movement that hasn’t formed yet.”
Or as in this case, one that never existed…….I think this answers your question Cobra.
Headline: “Texas Study Casts Doubt on Need for Tort Reform”
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=10&u=/nm/politics_malpractice_dc“
Thank you, Scott. I understand that we don’t often agree, but you are very civil and make great points yourself. It’s these kinds of discussions that make the blogosphere the wonderful place that it is.
–Cobra