‘Grandpa Gorilla’ Tells Bush and Rep. mike Bilirakis: ‘Don’t Monkey With Our Social Security!
In advance of Bush Visit, Florida Consumer Action Network and ‘Grandpa Gorilla' Tell President and Rep. Mike Bilirakis: ‘Don't Monkey With Our Social Security!'
Before President breezes through Tampa for a $1,000 a plate GOP political fundraiser, FCAN Calls on Rep. Mike Bilirakis to Tell Bush to Take His Risky Privatization Scheme Off the Table Once and For All
September 20, 2006 (Tampa, FL) - In advance of the reported $1,000 a plate GOP fundraiser with President Bush in Tampa on Thursday, Florida Consumer Action Network held a prebuttal press conference at their headquarters today to call on Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R-FL-9) to tell the President to put an end to his renewed effort to replace Social Security with a risky privatization scheme - once and for all. FCAN was joined by representatives from the SEIU Local chapter and the Alliance for Retired Americans, as well as by special guest ‘Grandpa Gorilla' -- a consumed crusader representing the overarching component of the Bush privatization proposal: massive cuts in guaranteed benefits for the middle class and massive new debt.
"Social Security has been called the most successful government program in the world and has been credited with pulling millions of seniors out of poverty. Social Security has ensured that every generation of seniors for the past 71 years has been able to retire with dignity," said Lisa Lester, spokeswoman for Florida Consumer Action Network. "When Congressman Bilirakis sits next to President Bush at the $1000 a plate political fundraiser tomorrow, we hope he will use that golden opportunity to help ensure Social Security is there for us for another 71 years and beyond. Congressman Bilirakis must tell the President to abandon his renewed effort to privatize Social Security and any reform proposal that would that would require deep benefit cuts and massive new debt to fund risky private accounts. Simply put, tell Bush: ‘Don't monkey with our Social Security!'"
President Bush first hinted at an effort to resuscitate his hugely unpopular proposal to dismantle Social Security through privatization during a speech in Washington D.C. on June 27th, assuring his audience that "now is the time" and that "If we can't get it done this year, I'm going to try next year. And if we can't get it done next year, I'm going to try the year after that." On July 11th, Bush took action with the release of his administration's Mid-Session Budget Review. The President's budget includes a proposal to divert $721 billion from the Social Security trust fund to private accounts over the next 10 years -- virtually the same proposal that was overwhelmingly rejected by the American public last year. Then, just last week, the President confirmed his intentions to the Wall Street Journal, promising to renew his privatization effort after the Midterm elections when he believes he can "drain the politics out of the issue."
"Make no mistake: President Bush and his allies in Congress are plotting to revive the same reckless privatization proposal that was overwhelmingly rejected by the Americans public in 2005. Privatization was a terrible, irresponsible idea then; it's every bit as bad today. Privatization would slash guaranteed benefits for thousands of middle-class Floridians and would add trillions of dollars to the national debt. And nothing will change the fact that private accounts wouldn't add a day to the life of Social Security - not one single day," said Lester. "As President Bush begins to mount another frontal assault on a program which has provided financial security to millions of seniors, surviving spouses and the disabled, Floridians deserve to know: Congressman Bilirakis - do you stand with the President as he again goes down this tortured path towards destroying America's most cherished retirement program or do you stand with the vast majority of Americans and Floridians who have already rejected privatization? Congressman Bilirakis, tell President Bush it's time to take privatization off the table -- once and for all."
FCAN is a state affiliate of USAction and a national partner of Americans United, the group which led the fight to beat back the Bush-privatization proposal in 2005. FCAN has repeatedly called on Congressman Bilirakis to ‘take a stand' on the Bush proposal to no avail. On May 24, 2001, more than 100 Members of Congress - including Mike Bilirakis -- sent a letter to President Bush's 'Commission to Strengthen Social Security', urging it to propose "personal retirement accounts" to "transform Social Security." [DeMint Letter to President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security, 5/24/01]
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