Could Progressives and Tea Partiers work together to save Social Security?

[LongTomH]

OK, I agree the idea sounds loopy; largely because the Tea Partiers ARE loopy! But, as Richard Eskow points out in his newest op-ed at the Huffington Post, most Americans (76%) oppose cuts to Social Security, and that 76% holds true for Tea Partiers as well as the general public.

But, Eskow does make some good points in his article: An Open Letter to Tea Party Activists: Let's Defend Social Security Together:

The next month will be crucial for the future of our nation -- and for own futures, as the older Americans we're all destined to become. In the weeks leading up to the President's State of the Union address on January 27, Democratic and Republican party leaders will conduct a flurry of so-called "bipartisan" negotiations to cut Social Security. They may also agree to raid the its Trust Fund, which currently contains $2.6 trillion they'd love to use for other purposes.

We should work together to prevent that, building on seven points of agreement:

1. The people lead in a democracy, not the politicians.
   
2. The Social Security Trust Fund is our money, not theirs.
   
3. They shouldn't hijack payroll taxes to create "invisible tax hikes" on the middle class.
   
4. We paid for those benefits. We kept our part of the bargain, now you keep yours.
   
5. Don't punish hard work or thrift.
   
6. Don't use "means testing" to create a huge, ineffective government bureaucracy.
   
7. Don't turn Social Security into a welfare program.

When people in Washington use the word "bipartisan," they're usually talking about a backroom deal. Why don't we get together and show them some real bipartisanship?

Don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to fight again afterwards, especially when you guys start talking about "privatization" again. But that's how we Americans have always operated: We set aside our differences when confronted by a common threat, and once we've defeated it we start brawling again.

What do you think? If Congress does approve Social Security cuts, the Tea Partiers will scream as loud as anyone else. Bad news is, they may direct most of their anger at the Democratic Party.

[abelenkpe]

1. No.

There is no reasoning with insane people.

[ej510]

2. Make that a Hell No they want to privatize Social Security. (Allow What Wall Street to gamble it

away). Steal it.

[AlinPA]

3. No. You can't reason with the moron teabaggers. I know a lot of them and what you

suggest can't happen. Whatever the republicans in government do, they will support. This includes eliminating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, EPA, Dept of Education, anything exept the military.

[jwirr]

4. Only if the teaparty finally wakes up and realizes who the real enemy is.

[ardy]

5. No Chance

When blinded can't see

[mdmc]

6. ..