REP. RANGEL ON REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT CUTS

[paineinthearse]

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wm31_democrats/042905_rep_rangel_on_republican_endorsement_of_social_security_benefit_cuts.html

STATEMENT
FROM REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL
Ranking Democrat, Committee on Ways and Means

For Immediate Release
Friday, April 29, 2005
Contact: Dan Maffei 202/225-3526

REP. RANGEL ON REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT CUTS

Washington, D.C. - Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas confirmed what the President said last night: the main approach of Republicans to addressing Social Security’s long-term financial challenge is big benefit cuts. They seem determined to make Social Security beneficiaries bear the entire burden of shoring up the system.

The President tried to disguise his benefit reductions, suggesting that the cuts he proposes would affect only the well-off. But in fact, everyone earning more than $20,000 a year would be hit with a substantial cut under the plan he endorsed. Chairman Thomas spoke with pride about Republican votes delivering a retirement age increase in 1983, and suggested he wanted to raise the age again. This, too, is a benefit cut.

On top of this, the President keeps insisting on his private accounts, which make Social Security’s deficits worse. The President seems determined to polarize the country on this issue. That will not lead to progress.

Last week, I personally told the President that we would be willing to sit down, Democrats and Republicans, and find a way to solve Social Security’s financial challenges. Last night, he confirmed to the nation that he’s not willing to compromise. The President is saying my way or the highway when it comes to Social Security. That is not leadership.


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[ooglymoogly]

1. he has to do this since he has robbed the s.s trust fund

to give to his donors, and doesn't want to pay it back. saying that borrowing 1-3 trillion should not be considered borrowing but an investment oportunity...gag...peter orzag, who is a dazzling debater called the selling of private accounts which will do nothing to shore up ss akin to selling snake oil and saying as long as you take it with an antibiotic it will cure your infection. he also countered the argument that borrowing will force us to face up to the problem, with thats like gaining a lot of pounds so it will force you to go on a diet....

[paineinthearse]

2. Rangle robbed the trust fund????

:wtf:

[ooglymoogly]

3. was commenting on the hearing and our great leaders'

maniacal push toward privatization....rangle is a hero in my book

[Dave Sund]

4. I almost want to see this come to a vote

There's absolutely no way it would pass, and every person who voted for it would immediately be in danger no matter how "safe" they were. Seniors are a huge voting block in mid-term elections, and you see that almost the entire Republican party votes for cuts in medicare and Social Security? Winning issue. Hammer it. From now till '06.