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Simmons' Social Security Stance Taken To Task
New London Day ^
| 1/13/2005
| Tedd Mann
Posted on 01/16/2005 8:00:22 PM PST by UCAL
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I accept that fact that it's a democrat majority district. I accept the fact that he's a RINO on many issues and that he has to be to survive. But does he have to be leading the charge against reform???
1
posted on
01/16/2005 8:00:24 PM PST
by
UCAL
To: UCAL
It's not like he's a Senator. We own the House. Tom DeLay is God. It's the RINO Senators that need to be staked on an anthill first. To crib from this RINO sob, "there are more important elected officials that need pressing."
2
posted on
01/16/2005 8:05:36 PM PST
by
LibertarianInExile
(NO BLOOD FOR CHOCOLATE! Get the UN-ignoring, unilateralist Frogs out of Ivory Coast!)
To: UCAL
Simmons' staff bristled at the Democratic criticism, saying their boss had only been pointing out that he, at 62, is not far from the age of many Social Security recipients, and has more immediate concerns than the program running out of money.
Ah, but Simmons has a special retirement plan. If the politicians had to rely on Social Security, you can bet your ass there would be big time changes made!
3
posted on
01/16/2005 8:07:47 PM PST
by
Just Lori
To: LibertarianInExile
It's relevant to me because I live in the district and I've campaigned for the guy. I don't mind the vote against reform because I want the guy to survive. I just don't understand what he gains by speaking out. Why piss off your base?
4
posted on
01/16/2005 8:08:03 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: Spanaway Lori
Great logic -I'll be dead before it's bankrupt. Just the far sightedness we expect from our elected officials.
5
posted on
01/16/2005 8:09:41 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: UCAL
It would have been nice if the article had stated which state he is from. I found it. Connecticut. Go figure.
6
posted on
01/16/2005 8:10:09 PM PST
by
Just Lori
To: Spanaway Lori
I should have added that. It's not the paper's fault. If you're in New London, Connecticut and reading the New London Day's Connecticut Politics section.......
7
posted on
01/16/2005 8:12:37 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: UCAL
I don't mind the vote against reform because I want the guy to survive.
Please explain. You'd rather the guy survive than social security? I'm confused here. If we don't reform it, it's not gonna be there for a whole lot of folks. But you don't mind the vote against fixing it, as long as "the guy" survives???
8
posted on
01/16/2005 8:13:33 PM PST
by
Just Lori
To: UCAL
Yeah, it's ok. It's a big country, with hundreds of thousands of towns local town papers. Most folks just assume that everyone in the country will know where THEIR town is! =)
9
posted on
01/16/2005 8:15:34 PM PST
by
Just Lori
To: Spanaway Lori
I think another poster summed it up best when he wrote that it would not have a problem passing the house. Its the Senate where the road blocks will go up.
This is the highest democrat registration district in the Country with a Republican representative. We're lucky to have Congressman Simmons instead of another liberal democrat.
My point is, be quite; vote against it and stay out of the limelight.
10
posted on
01/16/2005 8:16:41 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: UCAL
This is the highest democrat registration district in the Country with a Republican representative. We're lucky to have Congressman Simmons instead of another liberal democrat.
My point is, be quite; vote against it and stay out of the limelight.
I don't know the man's record, so I can't speak on that, BUT...... the congressman's PARTY is not as important as his VOTING RECORD sometimes. If his votes are not conservative, he is a RINO. If he seeks to block or stand against the conservative base, he is a RINO. We do not need any more of those.
You say: "Be quite (you mean quiet, right?), vote against it (vote AGAINST refoming the social security mess?), and stay out of the limelight."
Staying out of the limelight and being quiet is precisely what Republicans have done WRONG for so many years! The dems have been wiping the floor with us because we didn't stand up and FIGHT. Those days are over!
THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!
To: UCAL
UCAL,
A few points RE: Congressman Simmons and Social Security. First, there is no place for government provided Social Security, as per the US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 and Article 2, Section 2, which articulate the powers of the legislative and executive branches respectively. Medicare is also not mentioned, so he cannot use that as an excuse. Citizens in Galveston, Texas found a loop hole to opt out of Social Security in the mid 80s as I recall and they made much more money through private investment in return than they would under the government system. The more the government controls our money, the more it restricts our liberty. Social Security should be privatized. As Americans, we should be governed by the Constitution of our forefathers, not the New Deal from FDR. For too long, Social Security, funded by taxpayer money, has been a big government slush fund. It needs to be removed from government hands, and it is understandable that many of those doing the slushing are reluctant to give up their pot of gold. Regarding distancing himself from the President on social issues, Simmons is now doing the same with Social Security, which is a fiscal issue. I understand the demographics of Connecticut's 2nd District, but Simmons has never won by a landslide either. I believe that Harry Truman was right when he said that a Democrat will always vote for a Democrat over a Republican who just sounds like a Democrat. As far as Republicans are concerned, the very liberal Republican Congressman should bear in mind that come Election Day, the base giveth...and the base can taketh away!
To: Righteous Wing
With all due respect, and I agree with you on the issue, Simmons has no base to go home to, in his district.
Simmons is probably the most vulnerable Republican congressman out there for 2006, and this is one issue he cannot win on in his district, unfortunately.
His activism bothers me, though.
To: Righteous Wing
I understand your point and I'd like to opt out of Social Security as well. Just keep what I've paid in and let me out!!
However, there are political realities. Start talking like that as an elected official and you'll be an ex-elected official very quickly.
Regarding my RINO Congressman. I worked for 12 years for his predecessor's defeat. If anyone knew Congressman Gejdenson D-CT 2, they would not harbor too much ill will towards Robb Simmons. I'd expect more of him if he were from Lancaster County PA or Wyoming but this is the best we are going to get.
14
posted on
01/16/2005 8:35:46 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: Spanaway Lori
I understand your point but you have to know the district. Even the Republicans (20%) are liberal to moderate.
I guess the question is, what's worse - a liberal democrat or a moderate Republican (RINO)? If you lived in Massachusetts and had to choose between Ted Kennedy and his liberal Republican opponent, how would you vote?
I guess I hold Republicans in safe districts to a higher standard.
15
posted on
01/16/2005 8:40:51 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: UCAL
UCAL,
As a red citizen in a blue state, I am sick and tired of settling for "better than nothing." I agree with you that Simmons is better than Gejedensen, but liberal is still liberal, all comparisons aside. Bret Shundler was very conservative and won election as Mayor of very liberal and Democrat entrenched Jersey City, NJ for 2 or 3 terms. Just once I would like to see a real conservative (or dare I say, "real Republican"?) have the courage to dip his big toe into the water. I believe with the right candidate it can be done. Few if any candidates thus far have had the guts, and our party and our fellow citizens suffer for it.
To: UCAL
I had dealings with Gejdenson's staff when he was the ranking member of House International Relations.
Gilman of New York was chair, and his staff was sharp, efficient, motivated.
Gejdenson's people reeked smarmy, arrogant inertia--what a pity when he had his ass kicked.
Simmons has a history with CIA and was a Goldwater appointment to staff director of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
I would not be too worried if Rahm Emmanuel says you are a flipflopper.
Rahm Emmanuel--keep it up, Democrats. Between Rahm Emmanuel, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid, 2006 looks better and better.
Looking behind the partisan journalistic slant, if in doubt, call Simmon's office tomorrow for a statement, then ping me back here.
As a matter of fact, had John Kerry been elected, Rob Simmons would be alive in 2042. It's Bush's fault.
17
posted on
01/16/2005 8:57:42 PM PST
by
PhilDragoo
(Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
To: Righteous Wing
Righteous Wing
Shundler won after the corrupt democratic administration ran the city into the ground. Following his righting of the ship, the city voted in new democrats.
Conservatives can win municipal elections because issues such as abortion, social security, national defense, etc. do not play a major roll. The voters look at the city falling down around them and say "what the heck - what's the harm".
If you come into Eastern Connecticut campaigning as a conservative - down the line - Republican, you'll lose. I don't know for sure but I bet Shundler did not carry Jersey City in his run for government. I bet all those dems said "thanks - great job" but we don't want you in Trenton.
18
posted on
01/16/2005 8:59:01 PM PST
by
UCAL
(My kids will register Republican or they pay for their own college tuition.)
To: UCAL
including insufficient supplies for soldiers in Iraq
WTF is this guy talking about? I don't even see a local angle to that assertion, since Electric Boat doesn't do any work in Iraq. Why would he point to some mythical shortage of supplies in Iraq to bolster his case?
19
posted on
01/16/2005 9:04:51 PM PST
by
A Balrog of Morgoth
(With fire, sword, and stinging whip I drive the Rats in terror before me.)
To: alexfromct
I agree with you regarding Simmons and his activism. Such hard headedness cost CT appropriations for a railroad bill when he angered the subcommittee Chairman, Istook. Yet, Simmons can't wait to break ranks from the President on Social Security. He should better choose when to be an activist. Simmons also frequently brags that he is a "independent minded." I hear that exact same phrase from most if not all RINOs. It's hogwash! It is easy to break ranks from the GOP when you are a liberal Republican Congressman in a liberal district in a liberal state. That is not being "independent."
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