Posted on 06/24/2005 12:15:31 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Ways and Means Committee Democrats Charles Rangel of New York, Sander Levin of Michigan, and John Tanner of Tennessee this morning at a news conference to discuss the latest Republican plan to privatize Social Security. Below are Pelosi's remarks:
"Good morning. Before we begin on the subject of Social Security, I want to extend the condolences of the entire House Democratic Caucus, and indeed I'm sure every Member of Congress, to the families and friends of the eight Marines that were killed in and around Fallujah in the last 24 hours. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
"Today, we are coming together to talk to you about the latest Republican Social Security plan. The one released this week represents the latest attempt to push risky privatization, and we will continue to inform the American people about the perils of privatization. This Republican plan takes us farther away from coming to a bipartisan solution on strengthening Social Security.
"The Republican privatization plan may sound different, but it reflects the same Republican goal: to turn a guaranteed benefit into a guaranteed gamble. Despite cosmetic changes, the Republican privatization plan would divert Social Security contributions to fund private accounts, explode the national debt, weaken Social Security rather than strengthening it, and continue the raid on the Social Security trust fund.
"House Democrats have traveled across the country -- we've had nearly 900 meetings, including more than 500 town hall meetings other press events to listen to the American people about how we can strengthen Social Security for current and future generations.
"The feedback was clear: our nation's commitment to Social Security has meant retirement and economic security for millions of American families. And, yet, despite resounding feedback from the American people against privatization, Republicans refuse to drop their partisan insistence on private accounts.
"This Congress has been about misplaced priorities and missed opportunities in many respects, and yet again, this is another one.
"Over the coming weeks, Democrats are going to continue the drumbeat of Social Security events around the country with the hope that the President and Republicans in Congress will begin focusing on how we can work together in a bipartisan way to ensure that American workers receive the benefits they have earned.
"By the time we have the 70th Anniversary of Social Security, which is the middle of August, we expect to have 1,000 town meetings, so we will be calling on our Members to go out there again for at least 100 more events. This mobilization has been critical to our success in pointing out the perils of privatization."
Still waiting to hear the plan from the demNOcrat party.
OK, I admit it.
I hate this woman.
I'm no fan of shrill harridans, so there you have it.
Quote: "Good morning. Before we begin on the subject of Social Security, I want to extend the condolences of the entire House Democratic Caucus, and indeed I'm sure every Member of Congress, to the families and friends of the eight Marines that were killed in and around Fallujah in the last 24 hours. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families."
Oh, I missed this. Somehow I doubt this was sincere. It was probably meant more in the spirit of "hey, more deaths in Iraq, Quagmire, we told ya so!!"
Their plan is to push Social Security into crisis mode where the only available fix will be immediate and massive payroll tax increases to bail-out the system, and with that infusion of new revenue, divert some of it to the general fund for their pet government programs.
"Quagmire Alert."
See you've been taking demogogue lessons from Al again Nan.
That's ok. I hate her too!
This bitch could care less about 8 Marine deaths. She only cares about the mileage those deaths get for her party. I pray that the American public stays strong and rejects these tactics that are now an everyday part of the RAT strategy.
You mean you didnt appreciate that little dig on the andministration and the War?
Sincerity has nothing to do with Pelosi.
Any plan they have that involves tax increases is a loser. That is why they have put forth no plan. The only plan the modern democrat party is capable of is one that involves raising taxes.
Correct. Which is why they want to defer this whole issue, shelve it, for the next 15 years or so so that the ONLY option at that point will be to raise taxes. Privatization moves us away from that inevitability, which is why the Dems oppose it. I mean, their hypocracy on this is sickening. Which one of those pompous gas bags in the Democratic caucus DOESN'T have some private investiment portfolio for their retirement? To bellyache and to say that "privatization is a risky proposition" is a flat out lie.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.