(Another) Dem (no. 2) Says He's Open to Private Soc. Sec.
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Dem Says He's Open to Private Soc. Sec.
Feb 11, 9:51 PM (ET)
By LAURA MECKLER
WASHINGTON (AP) - A second Senate Democrat said Friday he was open to President Bush's idea of letting people divert some of their Social Security taxes to personal retirement accounts as Republican Party leaders tried to allay re-election fears among wavering GOP lawmakers.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said any plan should be bipartisan, in part to give lawmakers from both parties political cover for supporting major changes to such the popular retirement program.
"I don't believe that we should rule out the accounts," Carper said Friday in an interview. "We have a very low savings rate in this country and clearly need to find ways to stimulate savings, and I think we should be open to a wide range of ideas and not dismiss them out of hand."
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., also has said he is open to discussing the private accounts, saying he wants to see details.
No Senate Democrat has signed onto a Social Security bill, and most say they are absolutely opposed to taking money from the traditional Social Security system to create these accounts. Several Democrats do like the idea of creating personal accounts on top of regular Social Security benefits.
In the House, Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida is backing a Social Security bill.
Bush is traveling the country, warning that Social Security's long-term finances face trouble and touting private accounts as part of the solution. Trying to shore up support in Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration officials are holding a series of meetings with Republican lawmakers, some of whom are nervous about backing Bush's proposal.
Pressing the point, the Republican National Committee worked to shore up support among nervous Republicans who see the issue as a threat to their 2006 re-election bids. RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman e-mailed a memo Friday to more than 2 million supporters citing polling that shows personal accounts appeal to core conservative voters who are likely to hold significant sway in the 2006 elections.
"We do well when our base is motivated and turns out in large numbers," Mehlman said in an interview.
... more at linked article
Look out everyone, the sky is falling. No, seriously, it must be. Another democrat is showing support for Pres. Bush's plan. Get the paramedics and emergency workers ready to come to their rescue and administer emergency services after their compatriots in the Senate try to 'cap them. (See: Dem Leaders Threatening 'Retribution' for Bush co-operators)
Seriously, this is a good sign that perhaps some moderate democrats still remain out there. Pragmatic ones. Senators and Congressmen/women that are smart enough to recognize a good plan and the growing political momentum behind it.
This isn't good news for the AARP, as they waste their money lobbying against a reform effort that doesn't impact their current, nor near term future, membership. It's not good news for people like COL Gene who wastes time writing books espousing failed policies and plans of the past.
It is, however, very good news for the public. For younger workers, for generations of future workers and their heirs as they will become a part of the great ownership society. It's great news for minorities (see: President Calls (Social Security) System Unfair to Blacks). It's great news for pretty much anyone that isn't so anti-George W. Bush that they can acknowledge a good plan, with great benefits for all.
Feb 11, 9:51 PM (ET)
By LAURA MECKLER
WASHINGTON (AP) - A second Senate Democrat said Friday he was open to President Bush's idea of letting people divert some of their Social Security taxes to personal retirement accounts as Republican Party leaders tried to allay re-election fears among wavering GOP lawmakers.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said any plan should be bipartisan, in part to give lawmakers from both parties political cover for supporting major changes to such the popular retirement program.
"I don't believe that we should rule out the accounts," Carper said Friday in an interview. "We have a very low savings rate in this country and clearly need to find ways to stimulate savings, and I think we should be open to a wide range of ideas and not dismiss them out of hand."
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., also has said he is open to discussing the private accounts, saying he wants to see details.
No Senate Democrat has signed onto a Social Security bill, and most say they are absolutely opposed to taking money from the traditional Social Security system to create these accounts. Several Democrats do like the idea of creating personal accounts on top of regular Social Security benefits.
In the House, Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida is backing a Social Security bill.
Bush is traveling the country, warning that Social Security's long-term finances face trouble and touting private accounts as part of the solution. Trying to shore up support in Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney and other administration officials are holding a series of meetings with Republican lawmakers, some of whom are nervous about backing Bush's proposal.
Pressing the point, the Republican National Committee worked to shore up support among nervous Republicans who see the issue as a threat to their 2006 re-election bids. RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman e-mailed a memo Friday to more than 2 million supporters citing polling that shows personal accounts appeal to core conservative voters who are likely to hold significant sway in the 2006 elections.
"We do well when our base is motivated and turns out in large numbers," Mehlman said in an interview.
... more at linked article
Look out everyone, the sky is falling. No, seriously, it must be. Another democrat is showing support for Pres. Bush's plan. Get the paramedics and emergency workers ready to come to their rescue and administer emergency services after their compatriots in the Senate try to 'cap them. (See: Dem Leaders Threatening 'Retribution' for Bush co-operators)
Seriously, this is a good sign that perhaps some moderate democrats still remain out there. Pragmatic ones. Senators and Congressmen/women that are smart enough to recognize a good plan and the growing political momentum behind it.
This isn't good news for the AARP, as they waste their money lobbying against a reform effort that doesn't impact their current, nor near term future, membership. It's not good news for people like COL Gene who wastes time writing books espousing failed policies and plans of the past.
It is, however, very good news for the public. For younger workers, for generations of future workers and their heirs as they will become a part of the great ownership society. It's great news for minorities (see: President Calls (Social Security) System Unfair to Blacks). It's great news for pretty much anyone that isn't so anti-George W. Bush that they can acknowledge a good plan, with great benefits for all.