The "meat" of Baucus' assholery.

[Robb]

I'm trying to compare apples to apples here.

We can't stand this guy, broadly speaking, because of his assholery vis-a-vis the health care debate. And he's shown some solid assholery on other issues as well -- not that kind of stand-out assholery, but some grade-A hattery regardless.

But we can also cherry-pick some good stuff from his voting record. Good civil rights stuff. Good end-the-war-on-drugs stuff. Good pro-labor stuff. I won't bother, anyone can do that.

And anyone can also point to who's paid for his campaigns -- the same people who pay for everyone's campaigns. It's not you and me, for sure.

So the question really becomes, what do we know about Baucus in regard to the topic at hand today, social security?

It looks like he's voted several times against measures, overt and backdoor, that would lead to privatizing SS. And he voted in favor of an income tax deduction for SS taxes paid by employees and self-employed.

Help me out DU, where's Max on SS today? Where are the "votes and quotes" that relate to Social Security that should get me worried?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. I can tell you where Kerry stands on SS...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1704282">Sen. Kerry: "The real problem for our country... is Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid"

Some interesting info on Baucus at TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/reid-picks-murray-kerry-baucus-for-super-committee----heres-the-upshot.php?ref=fpb

[fasttense]

2. Here is how one military retiree organization rates him.

Rated 30% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Economic/Max_Baucus_Social_Security.htm

[MilesColtrane]

3. Voting records for those willing to peruse them:

Baucus

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53315&category=53

Kerry

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53306&type=category&category=53&go.x=13&go.y=7

Murray

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53358&type=category&category=53&go.x=7&go.y=9

[PoliticAverse]

4. Bacus on SS from May 2011...

From: http://strengthensocialsecurity.org/media/news/sen-max-baucus-keep-social-security-out-of-deficit-reduction-plan

“Social Security benefits are financed only through payroll taxes and the Trust Fund,” Baucus (left) said during a hearing held by his committee entitled “Perspectives on Deficit Reduction: Social Security.” Social Security, he continued, “is not responsible for the deficits we face in the general fund today. Therefore, I believe Social Security should not be part of our efforts to reduce those deficits.”

[Robb]

5. That's illuminating, thank you.

[SidDithers]

7. Facts are good....nt

Sid

[Scurrilous]

6. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Robb]

8. Ah, DU keeps it all around, doesn't it?

...It's better than a shoebox. :D From 2006:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2620370">CNN: Social Security privatization 'off the table': Senator Baucus: "Don't waste our time."

[thatsrightimirish]

9. I posted a video

It has his statement regarding Social Security there, you should check it out.