Bush Calls for `Bipartisan Effort' on Social Security (Wkly Radio Speech)

[Khephra]

Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said Americans are ``expecting bipartisan effort and results'' on changing Social Security, the tax code and other issues from his victorious campaign against Senator John Kerry.

``Now the election is behind us, and our country is ready to move forward,'' Bush said in his weekly radio address. ``We have serious responsibilities and historic opportunities.''

He cited a need to address ``junk and frivolous lawsuits driving up the cost of health care and hurting doctors and patients.'' He also said he will seek to rewrite the tax code to ``get rid of needless paperwork and make our economy more competitive in the world'' and let younger workers divert part of their Social Security taxes to private retirement accounts.

Bush focused his campaign on national security, and exit polls of 13,531 voters nationwide showed that the greatest number, 22 percent, cited ``moral values'' as their top issue in handing Bush another term in the White House. That exceeded the 20 percent who cited the economy as the leading issue, 19 percent who chose terrorism and 15 percent who selected the Iraq war.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=alA89Sizy7Ls&refer=top_world_news

[Obviousman]

1. maybe on the tax code

only because i dont know much about that issue. but dems should fight with everything they've got to protect social security

[amazona]

7. tax code already simplified under Ronald Reagan

Every time they simplify the tax codes, it means less deductions for the little people and higher taxes.

Did you know that you used to be able to deduct your sales taxes?

Did you know if you had a low income for two years and a high income (better job or business climate) in the third year, you used to be able to "income average" to pay less taxes? People with irregular incomes (me) saw our pockets picked for thousands of dollars because of Reagan.

Income tax law for individuals is about as simple as it can be and still allow people to get sufficient deductions and credits for their various activities. What deduction is left to be taken off the Schedule A? Medical expenses? Credit for interest paid on your mortgage? Sick people don't need to pay more taxes just to save a bit of paperwork, nor do new homeowners need to pay more taxes.

Tax code has to be somewhat complicated because life itself is complicated. You can't be fair and still have a very simple Form 1040-EZ for everyone.

[Obviousman]

9. thanks for straightening that out

nt

[flordehinojos]

27. the man has bankrupted every business venture he has ever been involved in

I hope the remaining democratic senators will all stand up and give him a resounding NO!!!!!!!!!!on social security reform or any other changes bush wants to make.

[LiberteToujours]

2. This is going to be his new theme

Everything he wants is "bipartisan". If we don't agree, we're being partisan. We've got to nip this one in the bud.

[amazona]

6. no compromise in defense of social security...

...should be the new Democratic meme.

We have nothing to gain by being "bipartisan" and quite a bit to gain by being obstructionist. We don't need a rubber stamp, we need checks and balances.

In Louisiana, our outgoing Senator Breaux was well known for being bipartisan...but...he made the effers PAY for what they wanted. For instance, if they are going to pass the stupid Medicare bill anyway, they had to put around $100 million in various funds there for the state of Louisiana and its public hospital system. He cut deals to get money for the sugar growers, money for coastal erosion...there are lots of examples. He wasn't bipartisan just to put a smile on little George's face.

My thought would be for Democratic Senators to demand and expect huge bribes to their various states if they are expected to be "bipartisan" on any given bill. Any time there is no pork in there for their people, they should be extremely noisy and obstructionist. The Democrats need to insist that the people get their money one way or another.



Cooperation should never be given to the enemy just for the asking.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. He's never been bipartisan and we learn by example.

[DuaneBidoux]

3. ASSHOLE: SS was solvent 'till 2054 if he hadn't raided it for his tax

cut and war. "Reform" is what he calls it.

[ithacan]

4. fuck him!

and the election is NOT OVER!

It ain't over until the electors cast their votes in January...

[lawladyprof]

5. Absolutely nuts

Reducing what is coming into the social security fund at the same time as it is facing the Baby Boomers (largest group of retirees in its history). For younger workers, their social security depends on the generations of workers behind them. Be fruitful and multiply. Sorry couldn't help myself.

[SOS]

8. The Republican goal

is to get rid of this "FDR socialism" entirely.
The right-wingers have hated Social Security since it was started.
When Granny is lying in the street starving to death the Republicans can take the credit.

[lawladyprof]

13. Well this granny is scared

Just got my estimated pension from the state (I'm a state employee) because of no raises in the past two years my projected monthly pension is down by $50. I know I am lucky to be covered by a defined benefit plan but when you see the pension diminishing (before you even got there) and attacks on social security you begin to feel the chill. He will surely ruin this country and many, many of its people.

[The Zanti Regent]

21. ...but Bush says the CHURCHES will take care of you.

In reality, all you MAY get is a scrap off the table after the preacher finishes his Filet Mignon...

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Fuck you Bush!

Something I learned on my way to the right-wing forum.

[truthseeker1]

12. Hey Bush -

<>

[aquart]

14. Tell him it's all his and have fun.

[Wright Patman]

15. I don't see 'moral values'

in his list of legislative priorities there.

Who cares about reforming Social Security and limiting lawsuits when there is still the danger of gay marriage and abortion on demand is still available?

What these naive evangelicals are going to find is that now that they have voted, their services are not required for another two years at the midterm election and then in 2008. Until then, the GOP elites are going to view them as the "crazy aunt in the basement" Ross Perot used to talk about.

[DianeG5385]

16. It's OUR WAY or the HIGHWAY DUDE!!

We are NOT compromising on social security. This is where we make our stand. We do NOT allow him to destroy the economy to take down the safety net. I will never vote for anyone who plays his game! This is worth the MOTHER of all fillibusters. It's what makes us DEMOCRATS.

[thecrow]

17. "frivolous" lawsuits are not the problem, George

overpriced HMO's and running the country's health care based on a corporate structure instead of doctors and patients ARE.
Oh... but that's in our reality, not yours.

[Eurobabe]

18. in the words of your infamous Veep...

[demgrrrll]

19. Yea, I got your bipartisan..................eom

.

[lakeguy]

20. hahahahahahahaha, can't stop, hahahahaha nt.

[Straight Shooter]

22. Enronization of Social Security is not in best interest of our country

Democrats believe in country over party. That isn't partisanship, it's patriotism.

bush wants to apply the "creative accounting techniques" that made Enron and its shareholders so successful *snark*. We have to make it clear to our Senators and Representatives that we do not want Enronization of our Social Security.

[jwirr]

23. In the area of tax reform

look for him to gut childcare deductions for low-income workers and the Earned Income Credit for the same. These programs are the ones that help us not him and his rich friends. The article is correct the fundies are going to find themselves the butt of the joke. bushie has had them!

[bleedingheart]

24. Democrats should not go near him on this because it is poison

sorry it is pure poison and we don't need them telling the american public that we agreed with them on anything to do with messing with SS.

I have a very sick feeling about this...

[CBHagman]

25. It costs a lot to make changes to Social Security.

We're already in two very expensive wars with no end in sight, we're spending like drunken sailors (sorry to all you Navy veterans) on weapons systems, we're in debt (to the rest of the world) up to our ears and in deficit. I don't think it's possible to pull off this kind of change, especially when they haven't done the homeland security spending they need to do. I expect further domestic attacks, frankly, and have doubts as to whether he can move this.

[Kimber Scott]

31. His whole plan is to bankrupt the government. Just like OBLs, but worse.

nt

[rfkrocks]

26. NO WAY-the Last vestige of the new deal

we should break the democratic party in 2 if many dems agree to do this

[Redleg]

28. FUCK YOU, CHIMPTSTER.

If I hear the phrase "junk lawsuit" again I am going to fucking scream.

[The Zanti Regent]

29. Has he bought off the AARP leadership yet?

I fully expect those crooks that run AARP to cooperate in the destruction of Social Security, hell, thanks to AARP, you can kiss Medicare goodbye!

[Kimber Scott]

30. You're not stealing my Social Security and giving it to Enron! F U! nt