Bush Touts Social Security Plan in Wis.

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Bobby Kraft, 27, who is president of a local printing and mailing company, told Bush he urges his employees to take advantage of their 401(k) plans because ``the way the Social Security system is set up, we cannot count on that to be there.''

``A lot of people feeling that way here in America,'' interjected Bush, sitting next to Kraft on a stage in the soaring Milwaukee Art Museum atrium, Lake Michigan visible through the windows behind him.
...
But a group of young people outside offered a counterpoint to the harmony inside. A couple dozen people flashed obscene gestures at Bush's motorcade as it passed, some with both hands. They held no signs that explained their displeasure.
...
``It sounds simple, but it basically means that poor people won't have to retire into poverty and the wealthier people in America will get benefits that increase with the rate of inflation,'' he said. ``There's a reasonable approach that I'm confident, if Congress takes a look at, will see it is reasonable.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5017306,00.html

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. This dimbulb is still out hawking his snake oil?

Nobody's buying, you dumb shit.

[PA Democrat]

2. Do you get the impression that Bush is a guy who has NEVER

NOT gotten his way. Not only is no one buying it, no one is even LISTENING anymore.

[struggle4progress]

3. U.S. Rep. Kind: Solvency Still Lacking From Bush Social Security Proposal

5/19/2005

Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) released the following statement on President Bush's visit to Wisconsin today to promote his proposal to privatize Social Security:

"President Bush is in Wisconsin today to talk about Social Security, but his focus continues to be on privatizing Social Security rather than shoring up the system for future generations. Social Security faces long-term challenges that we must address, but I continue to have serious concerns about the President's plan to privatize the system, not least of which is borrowing $5 trillion over the next 20 years to pay for the cost of transitioning to private accounts.

"This is a multi-trillion dollar proposal that does nothing to extend the solvency of Social Security. What it does do is explode our debt even further and increases our dependency on foreign investors of U.S. debt, hurting our economy and passing the cost on to future generations.

"I am ready to work in a bipartisan manner with the President to strengthen Social Security, but he has yet to offer a real commitment to work together with Democrats and Republicans to shore up the system. As soon as the President makes that commitment, and turns his attention from privatization to ensuring Social Security's solvency, we will be able to move forward for the American people."

Contact: Stephanie Lundberg Phone: [phone]

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=37193

[struggle4progress]

4. Expert Wary As Bush Touts Overhaul

(CBS/AP) As President Bush rekindled his Social Security tour by speaking with young adults in Milwaukee, Wis., the investment executive Mr. Bush lauds while selling his Social Security overhaul suggested Thursday the White House drop its insistence on private investment accounts funded with payroll taxes if that prevents Democrats from supporting the effort.

Bob Pozen, whose concept of "progressive indexing" for future benefits has become an administration favorite, said lawmakers should instead focus on so-called add-on accounts, which are funded with other revenues. The Boston investment chief has suggested increasing investment in Roth IRAs by lifting the existing caps on them.

"Given the lack of bipartisan support for carve-out personal accounts, the president should not insist on carve-out accounts if the Democrats support an overall legislative package for Social Security reform that is otherwise satisfactory to him," Pozen, himself a Democrat, said in a statement issued after he made similar comments at a think tank in the capital. <snip>

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/19/politics/main696676.shtml

[buff2]

5. Is that moron EVER going to give up?

Geesus...why can't he just drop it for Khrist's sake? Enough is enough. That idiot can't ever accept **NO** can he? Damn,that jerk gets on my nerves.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

6. They are letting him play....

...to keep him occupied. The probably haven't even told him that most americans don't care for his plan. Keeping GW out of the White House while there is a crisis going on is the modus operandi here. From 9-11 in Nebraska, to the bike paths by Ft. Meade the day of the errant Cessna in DC. They don't want him anywhere near when are in crisis mode (filibuster, UK memo saying they lied, etc).

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. Say what you will, but those bastards in congress will pass this

motherfucker no matter what anybody does. It's straight to hell with that bunch.

[MGKrebs]

8. "On the 78th day of a 60-day roadshow"

"...the president's nationwide Social Security tour, even to some of his own aides, has the feel of a past-its-prime Broadway production that has been held over while other, newer shows steal the spotlight."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/19/AR2005051901617.html?referrer=email

hee hee!