Social Security: On Privatization, Santorum Saying One Thing, Doing Another
Wednesday, August 16
Embattled Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R) – waging the fight of his life right now to hold onto his Senate seat – seems to think he finally has the winning strategy: selling out Republicans who back the Social Security-dismantling privatization scheme he led the cheers for just last year ... while still trying to privatize it under the table. Seriously, that's his plan.
The editors of the Philadelphia Inquirer have watched the ploy unfold, and ... well, color them displeased (emphasis added):
Like the President, Santorum dutifully advocated draining Social Security payroll taxes from the current system to create individual, private retirement accounts tied to the stock market.
But most Americans oppose this radical change, and the plan is stalled in Congress. Santorum, now tied to an unpopular proposal and facing a strong challenge to reelection next year from Democrat Bob Casey Jr., is blaming White House strategists.
"I've been very concerned from the beginning that the administration led with the issue of Social Security immediately after the elections and took a two-to-three month break before" detailing its plan, Santorum told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper last week. "You've just defeated your opponent, and, you know, you take a 3-iron to the beehive. You go out there and whack the beehive, and you wonder why all these bees are buzzing around your head."
This, from the guy who is the GOP's message man in the Senate.
... With all those bees in the senator's bonnet, he introduced his own Social Security bill on Thursday. It would provide a written guarantee to people born prior to 1950 that they will receive all promised Social Security benefits and cost-of-living increases. His bill is a two-fer, at least on paper. It attempts to soothe seniors who fear that Santorum is trying to take away their benefits, and it insinuates the concept that people born after 1950 do not enjoy the same guarantee (hence the need for private accounts).
Technically, this guarantee is no guarantee at all. Congress could rescind it at any time. This proposal is just one more attempt to give private accounts an ideological foot in the door, while the larger problem of Social Security's pending insolvency goes unsolved.
It's a transparent ploy; it's sad to see such stuff coming from someone who, before the President came along, had been a leader in the public debate over Social Security.
Well, from our perspective he keeps leading in the wrong direction — but still, we're glad to see him getting a well-deserved comeuppance.
Posted by Americans United For Change Web Team
3 Comments
Santorum’ TV AD saying people should retire at 70 years and then he’s for S.S. Politicans will say anything to keep a lifelong career of corruption, instead of four years and done at the local, state and federal levels. They receive to many perks to inflate their incomes and kickbacks from drug companies and lobbyists. This is why there is no national health insurance. Plus nothing our fourfathers started has followed, such as the time it takes to vote on anything and pas a budget.
Corruption, Corruption, Corruption.
Abner Smith in Harrisburg, Pa. | Saturday, August 19 at 10:01 AM
First of all learn to spell. Second do not invoke the namesake of these United States Forefathers when talking about national health insurance. Can you please point me to anything in the constitution that would allow the federal government to do this? Talk about politicians receving perks and kickbacks, what do you think national health care would be?
Its Forefathers in Texas | Wednesday, August 23 at 02:52 PM
Hey Texass,
First, read and try to comprehend the post before you answer. Spelling and grammar aside, Abner said, “nothing our forefathers started has followed, such as the time it takes to vote on anything and pas a budget.” I believe he said nothing about healthcare and the founding forefathers and even if he did, who are you to tell him who to relate to what. The Constitution Police or The Forefather Protector? The Constitution is a living document, if it wasn’t Blacks would still be slaves, women couldn’t vote and you would have to pay to vote (Poll Tax). The part in the Constitution that would allow for National Healthcare is the part that allows us to make new laws. It’s also in the Preamble “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Promote the general welfare, that’s not the same as Welfare Programs so please don’t start that baited argument. Corruption is everywhere that is why we as a people need to be vigilant, informed and make our elected officials accountable for their actions. Something we haven’t seen of late. But I, for one, am not going to be afraid to better our society because someone might do something bad while I’m not looking. So stop turning a blind eye to what your politicians are doing in the name of party unity, fear or hatred and do what’s right for greater good. Keep Social Security in place, fix it and develop other options for people to participate in voluntarily. Our politicians already have the best retirement and healthcare plans. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough all. You don’t hear them complain about whether or not their pension plan is fully funded, do you? Or how their healthcare costs have gone up? NO.
GOD Bless America and ALL Americans
Pharmer in Indiana, USA | Thursday, August 24 at 01:38 PM