Bush says he's not deterred on Social Security

[UpInArms]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-03-bush-social_x.htm

CANTON, Miss. — President Bush said Tuesday that he'll keep campaigning for an overhaul of Social Security despite opposition, and he intensified pressure on reluctant members of Congress to do something to avert big tax increases or cuts in benefits.

"Our leaders must choose: Do nothing and guarantee a massive tax hike, or a 30% benefit cut ... or act now," Bush said. Doing nothing would mean younger workers' Social Security taxes would have to rise to 18% to keep the system solvent, he said. "That's a lot." The current withholding for Social Security is 12.4% on the first $90,000 of yearly earnings.

A 60-day Social Security sales blitz by Bush and other administration officials formally ended Sunday with no evident success in building support among Democrats in Congress. "President Bush has a lot of new Social Security rhetoric, but the facts remain the same. His risky privatization scheme is an assault on middle-class seniors and would mean deep benefit cuts," Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Tuesday. "His solution is worse than the problem."

Even some Republicans object. After Bush's speech here, Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., told reporters he has qualms about Bush's latest plan to change the way benefits are calculated to ensure that they are more generous for low-income workers. "I'm not overjoyed about that, because I think it does begin to move it toward a welfare system," Lott said.

...more...

[Ilsa]

1. So, if 250,000,000 Americans tell him to STFU on his SS plan,

he still won't be deterred? His persistence is a hobgoblin of his small mind.

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. The harder he pushes for something, the more trouble it'll be (WMD anyone?

He REALLY needed to invade Iraq. He now really needs to get his hands on SS.

No thank you!

[xultar]

2. Ok so if Chimpy's stance on SS isn't an exercise in insanity I don't

know what to say. :crazy:

[Inland]

3. Worst case scenario now "guaranteed" to occur. What a dick.

He can't admit that there is a possibility--a probability--that the worst case scenario won't occur. Like Iraq, he exagerates the problem to a degree that even the most harebrained, dangerous and stupid "solution" will look good by comparison.

Social security--"guaranteed 30% cut in benefits"
Iraq--"Saddam has WMD and just imagine a nuke exploding in New York."

[Nite Owl]

5. Why? What's the goal

behind this. They aren't dumb. Mean as all hell, evil bastards but not dumb. Maybe giving up is considered a failure but the writing seems to be on the wall with this now.

[grytpype]

18. Bush is very, very dumb.

He is a conservative version of a pseudo-intellectual...

he's a mediocrity who thinks he's a great man destined to do great things.

so he looks around for great things to do... invade Iraq, destroy Social Security,

and when he thinks of one he just takes a flying leap at it without any thought whatsoever. He always thinks success is a sure thing.

[Jawja]

30. That's because he doesn't

listen to dissenting opinions; he surrounds himself with "yes" people who tell him what he wants to hear.

He believes success is a sure thing because HIS success has always been a sure thing. He's always gotten what he wants, regardless of the consequences. He is just behaving in predictable fashion with the SS issue. He's going to get his way regardless, no matter if the public is solidly against it and no matter who it might hurt.

In other words, he's an arrogant prick.

[whistle]

6. There are only 496 Americans that George W Bush listens to

...and those are the billionaires who make up his base. They want social security dead and they also do not want to pay back the notes on the social security trust funds which they had George Bush take out to pay for their massive tax cuts.

Bush deterred? What the fuck for? He has his wealthy friends and his ranch and his dad's billions. As he said, he's all set.

[jayfish]

7. Yes! By All Means, Push On!

Gotta love that stubborn determination.:eyes:

Moran!

Jay

[Contrary1]

8. Let's keep him busy being "not deterred"...

maybe it will prevent the lunatic from starting another war or two.

[alcuno]

9. In other words, "Who cares what you think?"

He could not care less about public opinion at this point.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. That would be a good rallying point for the Dems

It's obvious that the Repubs don't care what we think at all.

They can't afford to back down at all. That can be used as well.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. Or Bushie

you could just raise the cap. :eyes:

[Akoto]

12. "His solution is worse than the problem."

So true, and on so many more issues than just Social Security.

[Miss Chybil]

13. Nothing like government for and by the people....

Bush: "I'm going to do what I want no matter what the people say." This is his legacy.

[Sub Atomic]

14. hey assmonkey -- how about if you just remove the cap entirely

and tie ss benefits to wages?

or is that too unfair to your 'i have mine, fuck the rest of you' constituents?

[IChing]

15. He is playing three card monty

[insane_cratic_gal]

16. screw the congress Georgie!

listen to the public.. WE are NOT ON board with it, idiot!

Look at the polls.. no amount of campaigning, hard selling, or spruced up advertising is going to convince us.

[grytpype]

17. Bush just cannot think things through.

Bush just cannot think things through.

He was incapable of foreseeing that the public might not accept his plans for SS.

Just like he was incapable of foreseeing the insurgency.

[mbperrin]

19. But he IS "de turd" - no matter what he claims!

Flush him!

[mrdmk]

20. Does anybody here remember those companies Mr. Bush Jr.

Bankrupted? Now you know how he did it!

[grytpype]

21. Recommended, and HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

You go, Duhbya!

I think we are about to see the biggest political meltdown since Nixon resigned.

[Straight Shooter]

22. Massive tax hike? WTF??

How about rolling back tax cuts? Raising the cap just a wee bit? How about getting those offshore companies you're so fond of to contribute their fair share to this country?

bush says "massive tax hike" and he knows people are going to really pay attention. He's threatening us, it's his M.O., but this time it isn't a phantom terrorist. This time the facts will speak louder than his rhetoric.

My word, the man is a raving lunatic to keep after this program. Wall Street must be screaming at him in private for him to continue on this political suicide mission.

[magellan]

23. Bush**turd's gall

Since this jackass came into office promising not to touch the Social Security surplus, $600+ BILLION of it has been stolen to pay for his tax cuts and his illegal war. And he appropriates $400 MILLION more of the surplus every day.

This is money that comes out of every American worker's paycheck through FICA. It is intended to cover the baby boomer retirement crisis he keeps babbling about. This bloody tyrant is ROBBING us of money WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTRIBUTE, and he has the supreme nerve to threaten his victims with a tax hike or benefit cut if we don't accept his feeble-assed plan to rob us again?

Two words for you, Bush**: PERP WALK.

[magellan]

24. P.S.

Can we please start calling FICA the BushCo Stealth Tax?

[LynnTheDem]

25. bush says he DOESN'T GIVE A CRAP what Americans want.

bUSH DOES NOT CARE WHAT AMERICANS WANT.

[radfringe]

26. not deterred, but rather desperate

his initial social security proposal didn't go over well, so he embarked on a 60 day road show... this resulted in declining polling numbers -- next he trotted out a dancing cockroach (DeLay) and that didn't work -- so he took to the air waves -- recent polls show he's still losing ground -- now out of political desperation he's extending the run of the road show

[July]

27. So, he's threatening us?

Does anyone here believe that Bush will raise SS taxes 18% or cut benefits 30% if he doesn't get his way? It would be political suicide for his party. If he doesn't get what he wants, he'll make a sneaky move rather than use these means, which he's mentioning to scare people.

I hope Democrats in Congress are smart enough to call his bluff: "Is this your plan? Privatize or else Social Security taxes will go up 18%? Privatize or benefits will be cut 30%? Do tell. When do you plan to make these changes?"

Bully.

[dusty64]

31. No it won't,

I'm convinced that they have been assured by diebold and es&s that they have NOTHING to be afraid of. With the exception of a few rethug "troublemakers" the repukes will have another "historic landslide" in 2006. Sadly for us, the Democrats do not seem the least concerned about the extreme rightwing owned and manufactured vapor vote machines.

[July]

33. Completely agree about the machines.

But there will be outcry if they try this, and some people will contact their representatives in Congress. Any "landslide" would gain greater scrutiny than our last two (three?) reamings if they piss people off. I think large payroll tax increases or deep benefits cuts will cause a reaction.

But I'm very much on board with your view on election stealing.

[sendero]

28. As a long lost friend of mine used to say....

... "he's too dumb to be scared".

Bring it you deluded moron. America is onto you. They are waking up to the fact that you are a liar and have the temperament of a spoiled 6 year old child.

Even experts who are nominally "for" your plan admit (privatization) will do NOTHING to shore up SS. People who understand the system are well aware of the problem, which is government debt and deficits, for which you are currently the most responsible.

Keep acting like a little dictator. Americans don't mind that too much in the context of fighting terrorism (although they should), but you start messing with their SS and you will find out why they call it the third rail. We know you are history, please go ahead and take the Senate and the House with you.

[Robworld]

29. Bush doesn't care, because he is not accountable

Hes been given another 4 years, so what does he care if the majority of the people dislike this particular policy. His administration gets to write the history books for next 50 years. Also the whole social security farce is a nice cover up for all the other crap they been doing.

http://www.dumdumgoestothecircus.com/

[indepat]

32. Lott's right: any Repuke-design welfare system will benefit the affluent

and large corporations.

[DFWJock]

34. This just in...

Titanic's Captain Edward John Smith "not deterred" by iceberg.