TPM: Dems to Force GOP Vote on Anti-Social Security Privatization Resolution

[flpoljunkie]

Dems To Force GOP Vote On Anti-Social Security Privatization Resolution

Christina Bellantoni
February 5, 2010, 2:02PM

House Democrats are going to force their Republican colleagues to vote on a resolution opposing the privatization of Social Security. The move shows Democrats are putting their full political muscle into painting the Republicans as enemies of Social Security and using the chief GOP budget writer Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to cut benefits as evidence.

Rep. John Larson (D-CT) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) this afternoon introduced the resolution which "expresses the will of House Democrats to preserve Social Security and reaffirms our commitment to working in a bipartisan way to make common sense adjustments to strengthen the program for generations to come."

It's the sort of tough political vote that Democrats have rarely pushed Republicans on since winning back control of Congress in 2006, and similar to resolutions the GOP constantly forced the Democrats to take positions on when they were in power.

The resolution - which has not yet been scheduled for a House floor vote but has more than 20 original co-sponsors - is the latest salvo in the new fight over Social Security.

Democrats say Ryan's "roadmap" that we've been writing about proves the GOP is "dusting off their old playbook" and the majority party fully intends to make this a midterm election battle.

"Republicans are dusting off their old playbook and re-hashing old ideas like the privatization of Social Security that the American people have already rejected," Larson said in a statement. "Their ideas would end the program as we know it and put the retirement security of millions of America's seniors and workers at risk. My colleagues and I introduced this resolution to show the American people that we are standing with them and against these destructive ideas."

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/dems-to-force-gop-vote-on-anti-social-security-privatization-resolution.php?ref=fpa

[Jennicut]

1. Great idea, make them actually show their true colors.

[KingFlorez]

2. When I first heard about the proposal, I was hoping the Dems would do this

Put them on record and see how they explain this to their constituents.

[jefferson_dem]

3. Great. It's past time we act like the majority party.

This is a good move, if for symbolic purposes alone. It should provide some handy campaign fodder.

[Beetwasher]

4. Fucking FINALLY!!! THANK YOU!!!

This is the party the majority wields, glad to see they're finally using it!

[DrToast]

5. They did this with Medicare

Didn't seem to help much.

[flpoljunkie]

6. Bush's effort to privatize Social Security didn't work out so well for Republicans

[pleah]

7. K&R

[laughingliberal]

8. Great idea! Hope it passes

While they're at it, let's have a resolution not to privatize Medicare.

[Clio the Leo]

9. Brilliant. NT

[BlueIdaho]

10. Its about time.

They need to put up a series votes on a range of popular programs - force the republicans to go on record as opposing things ordinary Americans want.