The people who stand to lose the most with this "scheme" are people in their middle forties to early fifties. How many untold millions are out there who have already lost substantial nesteggs in the stock market or seen their companies disappear or downsize who simply do not have the time factor to make this "scheme" workable for them? I calculate that this is a sizable portion of the voting population. We are the folks who saw the old fashioned fixed pensions of our parents disappear in favor of 401Ks - IF your company offered them, IF they offered decent choices, IF they had a company match, and IF you made enough to contribute to them. Even so, that did not help people in companies like ENRON, Worldcom, etc. Social Security is the last leg left on a three-legged stool of their retirement. Talk to some United Airline pilots right now who are looking at their company guaranteed pensions about to evaporate.
If you are in the age-range described above, get ready to wear a paper hat and man a deep-fryer or practice saying "Welcome to Walmart". OR you could write or email your reps. AARP should also get behind this bigtime because this Boomer population is their immediate future membership. Maybe they could pick up some of the credibility they lost when they rolled over on Medicare.
Full Version: Calling All Boomers!!!
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > Job Market, Fiscal, and Economic Policies > Job Market, Fiscal, & Economic Issues Archive
Welcome! Great post. Looking forward to more. If there is ever a time for activism on stopping Bush, the time is now. Another blog has named activists the 101st Fighting Keyboarders, an apt description given the Social Security war that Bush has launched. Oh the Shock and Awe of watching old people eat cat food. Slurp!
QUOTE(neoportia @ Feb 6 2005, 03:15 PM)
If you are in the age-range described above, get ready to wear a paper hat and man a deep-fryer or practice saying "Welcome to Walmart". OR you could write or email your reps. AARP should also get behind this bigtime because this Boomer population is their immediate future membership. Maybe they could pick up some of the credibility they lost when they rolled over on Medicare.
Letter writing is a good idea.
I found an example letter on a union website (below) that I made a few changes to. Maybe some of the better letter writers here could post some more examples.
I think it would be a good idea to have specific letters depending on circumstances:
1) democratic rep in a blue state
2) republican rep in a blue state
3) democratic rep in a red state
4) republican rep in a red state
-----------------------------
Send this petition to:
Your Congressperson
Your Senators
cc: President George W. Bush
I oppose any efforts to privatize Social Security. I oppose proposals that would cut benefits or raise the retirement age.
Social Security can be easily and safely fixed by a gradual progressive adjustment to the payroll cap. As with income tax, the high income earners should pay their fair share.
Millions of people count on Social Security because they are retired or disabled. It is unconscionable that we would risk cutting their benefits through privatization.
This issue is vitally important, and it will be used to judge your commitment to the security of seniors, the disabled and working families across America.
Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]
QUOTE(neoportia @ Feb 6 2005, 05:15 PM)
The people who stand to lose the most with this "scheme" are people in their middle forties to early fifties. ...
I'm really scared... 46 and hubby abandoned me and dependent adult son 4 years ago. I have no vested pension yet , that will take me 2 more years. Luckily house gets paid off in a year. I've got plenty of repair money after three hurricanes hit me, but hiring a roofer before hurricane season BEGINS again is another story.
Then Bush pulls the rug from under us BabyBoomers .... What next?!!!
There's a LOT of us, let's BOOM our voices all the way to the White House (first Congress )!
Thanks for this post. I have been fuming being 48! And all he says are the people over 55 don't need to worry, nothing will change. And the new private acct bs will benefit the younger workers....
Yeah - but don't you dare screw with my money.. I have been working since I was 16. 32 yrs I've paid into social security. I expect to receive it when I retire
Yeah - but don't you dare screw with my money.. I have been working since I was 16. 32 yrs I've paid into social security. I expect to receive it when I retire
I have seen some tables of the percent of "promised benefit" for a variety of dates in the future. Do any of you know how they compute the reduction with time due to the change in index. If we knew that we could estimate the reduction for any age. Age 54 strikes me as the most interesting.
I'm confused about the fuzzy or floozie math, but what stands out is that somehow some way 3% of what you make in a "private account" or whatever they're calling it has to go back to the government, because your account is actually a government loan and 3% is the interest on it. Now, if you happen to be lucky enough to make 5% by the time you're able to collect it, that means you'll get 2%, minus whatever else you have to give back to the government that they'll certainly think up by then. Now, as I understand it, 2% is what you get from Social Security as of right now.
So 5% (if you're lucky) - 3% = 2% under Bush's plan (minus whatever else).
And 2% = what you get now under Social Security as it is.
I've heard you're only going to be allowed to invest your money in a certain way for your "private account."
One of those ways to invest is for younger workers. Stock-and-bond mutual funds.
Guess how much some of them lost after 9-11? About 1/4 if you were lucky, more if you weren't.
The stock market goes up and down according to national events or world events. Who can predict them? Or should I say, who can manipulate them???
You're screwed.
So 5% (if you're lucky) - 3% = 2% under Bush's plan (minus whatever else).
And 2% = what you get now under Social Security as it is.
I've heard you're only going to be allowed to invest your money in a certain way for your "private account."
One of those ways to invest is for younger workers. Stock-and-bond mutual funds.
Guess how much some of them lost after 9-11? About 1/4 if you were lucky, more if you weren't.
The stock market goes up and down according to national events or world events. Who can predict them? Or should I say, who can manipulate them???
You're screwed.
smoke and mirrors, baffle with bushit... and if that doen't work, code orange!
Code Orange, here.
I am 54 and I heard Bush the other night make his cut off at 55 and about passed out !
I thought they (Bushco) were smarter than that- and would go for age 40 or 45 or something......
banking on the fact that so many in their thirties are so anti-political. (those if you here are the exception, of course, or you wouldn't be here)
Another thing they did not count on: the already-on-SS parents of younger people, who are mad as H because they think their kids will be cut out. Now, this group votes in a very high percentage.
We will NOT allow you to do this, Bushco!
I am 54 and I heard Bush the other night make his cut off at 55 and about passed out !
I thought they (Bushco) were smarter than that- and would go for age 40 or 45 or something......
banking on the fact that so many in their thirties are so anti-political. (those if you here are the exception, of course, or you wouldn't be here)
Another thing they did not count on: the already-on-SS parents of younger people, who are mad as H because they think their kids will be cut out. Now, this group votes in a very high percentage.
We will NOT allow you to do this, Bushco!
I'm a baby boomer but have crossed the wire. I'm fifty six. I heard the reason for the cut off age was midterm elections. Voters fifty five and above are most likely to vote in midterm elections. They didn't want to pi$$ us off. It may be good to mention in your letters your intentions to vote in midterms. Don't just mention it, do it. Let's show them, the party's over. Let's motivate Democratic voters of all ages to get out the vote in midterms. They may learn they have wakened a sleeping giant. I will fight for you and all that come after you. 
The government will have to borrow the $2 trillion necessary to fund your privite account. When borrowed money is put to work in the stock market, what is that called?? Why a margin account. The government is setting up a $2 trillion margin account. Even financial professionals have a hard time making money on a margin account let alone a blue collar worker somewhere. It is not fair to the worker to expect him to beat margin costs to fund his retirement. This plan is doomed to fail and with it the last standing good retirement plan most Americans have.
QUOTE(wliberty @ Feb 6 2005, 09:31 PM)
I'm a baby boomer but have crossed the wire. I'm fifty six. I heard the reason for the cut off age was midterm elections. Voters fifty five and above are most likely to vote in midterm elections. They didn't want to pi$$ us off. It may be good to mention in your letters your intentions to vote in midterms. Don't just mention it, do it. Let's show them, the party's over. Let's motivate Democratic voters of all ages to get out the vote in midterms. They may learn they have wakened a sleeping giant. I will fight for you and all that come after you.
Very perceptive. We must vote in midterms...... and drag all our progressives friends with us to the polls......... and maybe even work for a progressive candidate 
I'm 41, and I'm p***ed about this, even though Chimpy says this is supposed to benefit me. That is just so much BS. He is trying to destroy Social Security, not save it. Yes, I have a 401K. But I was also counting on Social Security being there as part of my retirement income. If his scam goes through, there will be no such thing as Social Security before long.
P.S. None of my Senate or Congress Critters support BushCo. So contacting them about this won't make a difference. I'm from the deep-blue state of Massachusetts, home of Kennedy, Kerry, and oodles of common sense.
P.S. None of my Senate or Congress Critters support BushCo. So contacting them about this won't make a difference. I'm from the deep-blue state of Massachusetts, home of Kennedy, Kerry, and oodles of common sense.
I am reposting this from another subforum.
It shows how organized the republicans are on the social security issue. They have a special website (ironically named preservingsocialsecurity), are organizing a grass roots petition drive and so on.
I checked the dnc website and there was virtually nothing. We have better stuff at CGCS!
Does anyone know of a democratic website thats organizing on social security?
Petitions, letter drives?
It shows how organized the republicans are on the social security issue. They have a special website (ironically named preservingsocialsecurity), are organizing a grass roots petition drive and so on.
I checked the dnc website and there was virtually nothing. We have better stuff at CGCS!
Does anyone know of a democratic website thats organizing on social security?
Petitions, letter drives?
QUOTE(Snuffysmith @ Feb 3 2005, 03:12 PM)
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman Announces Grassroots Social Security Petition Drive And Website
2/3/2005 11:04:00 AM
Contact: Brian Jones of RNC Communications, 202-863-8614; Web: http://www.gop.com
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman today announced that the RNC is beginning a grassroots petition drive in all 50 states to demonstrate the nation's broad-based support for preserving Social Security and is launching a website -- http://www.preservingsocialsecurity.com -- discussing President Bush's Social Security vision. The petition drive will be assisted by state parties and fueled by the 1.4 million volunteers that helped re-elect the President. It will enable citizens to ask Republican and Democrat Senators to support President Bush and can be signed online at http://www.preservingsocialsecurity.com/#petition.
"The petition drive is a great opportunity for Congress to hear the will of the American people in confronting the challenges facing Social Security, and the website will ensure that all Americans are informed about why action must be taken before the Social Security system goes broke. Americans expect Congress to act now in answering President Bush's call for a bipartisan effort to strengthen Social Security," said Mehlman.
The petition drive and website are just part of the Republican Party's broad-based effort in supporting President Bush's plan to preserve Social Security.
Petition To Republican Senators:
"Members of the Republican Party, and many Democrats stand with President Bush, and recognize that Social Security needs to be fixed now. While Social Security is sound for today's seniors, we must work together now to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren. The longer we wait, the more difficult and costly it will be to fix the problem.
"In 1950, there were 16 workers paying for every one beneficiary.
"Today, there are about three; and, when the younger workers retire, there will be only two.
"But while the number of workers paying in is going down, the promised benefits are going way, way up. For instance, a 20-year-old worker today is being promised retirement benefits that are 40 percent higher than a retiree today receives from Social Security after adjusting for inflation, but the system does not have the resources to pay those promised benefits.
"President Bush's efforts will not change Social Security for those at or near retirement, and will not change payroll taxes but will allow younger workers to place some of their own payroll taxes in a voluntary personal retirement account -- a nest egg they can call their own, government cannot take away, and they can pass on to their children.
"Ask (your Senators) to keep working with the President and to preserve Social Security for our children."
Petition To Democrat Senators:
"President Bush is looking to work with Democrats in confronting the challenges facing our nation, but some Democrats in Congress are looking to obstruct the President's bold second term agenda in an effort to score partisan political points even at the cost of accomplishing the business of the American people.
"While President Bush is displaying leadership and following up on his campaign pledge to preserve Social Security for future generations, (your Senators) are offering pessimism and negativity while presenting no plan or vision for preserving Social Security.
"The truth is Social Security needs to be fixed now. It is sound for today's seniors, but we must work together now to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren. The longer we wait, the more difficult and costly it will be to fix the problem.
"In 1950, there were 16 workers paying for every one beneficiary.
"Today, there are about three; and when the younger workers retire, there will be only two.
"But while the number of workers paying in is going down, the promised benefits are going way, way up. For instance, a 20-year-old worker today is being promised retirement benefits that are 40 percent higher than a retiree today receives from Social Security after adjusting for inflation, but the system does not have the resources to pay those promised benefits.
"President Bush's plan will not change Social Security for those at or near retirement, and will not change payroll taxes but will allow younger workers to place some of their own payroll taxes in a voluntary personal retirement account -- a nest egg they can call their own, government cannot take away, and they can pass on to their children.
"Please stand with President Bush and get behind his plan to ensure that Social Security is there for future generations. Tell (your Senators) that you're not interested in being a part of their political obstructionism when it comes to Social Security.
"Sign this petition and then ask others to join you."
Paid for by the Republican National Committee
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
2/3/2005 11:04:00 AM
Contact: Brian Jones of RNC Communications, 202-863-8614; Web: http://www.gop.com
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman today announced that the RNC is beginning a grassroots petition drive in all 50 states to demonstrate the nation's broad-based support for preserving Social Security and is launching a website -- http://www.preservingsocialsecurity.com -- discussing President Bush's Social Security vision. The petition drive will be assisted by state parties and fueled by the 1.4 million volunteers that helped re-elect the President. It will enable citizens to ask Republican and Democrat Senators to support President Bush and can be signed online at http://www.preservingsocialsecurity.com/#petition.
"The petition drive is a great opportunity for Congress to hear the will of the American people in confronting the challenges facing Social Security, and the website will ensure that all Americans are informed about why action must be taken before the Social Security system goes broke. Americans expect Congress to act now in answering President Bush's call for a bipartisan effort to strengthen Social Security," said Mehlman.
The petition drive and website are just part of the Republican Party's broad-based effort in supporting President Bush's plan to preserve Social Security.
Petition To Republican Senators:
"Members of the Republican Party, and many Democrats stand with President Bush, and recognize that Social Security needs to be fixed now. While Social Security is sound for today's seniors, we must work together now to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren. The longer we wait, the more difficult and costly it will be to fix the problem.
"In 1950, there were 16 workers paying for every one beneficiary.
"Today, there are about three; and, when the younger workers retire, there will be only two.
"But while the number of workers paying in is going down, the promised benefits are going way, way up. For instance, a 20-year-old worker today is being promised retirement benefits that are 40 percent higher than a retiree today receives from Social Security after adjusting for inflation, but the system does not have the resources to pay those promised benefits.
"President Bush's efforts will not change Social Security for those at or near retirement, and will not change payroll taxes but will allow younger workers to place some of their own payroll taxes in a voluntary personal retirement account -- a nest egg they can call their own, government cannot take away, and they can pass on to their children.
"Ask (your Senators) to keep working with the President and to preserve Social Security for our children."
Petition To Democrat Senators:
"President Bush is looking to work with Democrats in confronting the challenges facing our nation, but some Democrats in Congress are looking to obstruct the President's bold second term agenda in an effort to score partisan political points even at the cost of accomplishing the business of the American people.
"While President Bush is displaying leadership and following up on his campaign pledge to preserve Social Security for future generations, (your Senators) are offering pessimism and negativity while presenting no plan or vision for preserving Social Security.
"The truth is Social Security needs to be fixed now. It is sound for today's seniors, but we must work together now to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren. The longer we wait, the more difficult and costly it will be to fix the problem.
"In 1950, there were 16 workers paying for every one beneficiary.
"Today, there are about three; and when the younger workers retire, there will be only two.
"But while the number of workers paying in is going down, the promised benefits are going way, way up. For instance, a 20-year-old worker today is being promised retirement benefits that are 40 percent higher than a retiree today receives from Social Security after adjusting for inflation, but the system does not have the resources to pay those promised benefits.
"President Bush's plan will not change Social Security for those at or near retirement, and will not change payroll taxes but will allow younger workers to place some of their own payroll taxes in a voluntary personal retirement account -- a nest egg they can call their own, government cannot take away, and they can pass on to their children.
"Please stand with President Bush and get behind his plan to ensure that Social Security is there for future generations. Tell (your Senators) that you're not interested in being a part of their political obstructionism when it comes to Social Security.
"Sign this petition and then ask others to join you."
Paid for by the Republican National Committee
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
For a mail writing campaign: Here's a list of Democrats possibly for the privatizing scheme, and Republicans possibly against it.
From http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
(Updated February 7, 2005)
Fainthearted Faction Democrats possibly for privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 5)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida) (L&P!)
Rep. Robert "Bud" Cramer (D-Alabama) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) (*)
Rep. John Tanner (D-Tennessee) (OFO?) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 3)
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) (OFO?) (*)
(Say It Ain't So) Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) (OFO?)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) (*)
Associate Members
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska/New York) (*)
Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pennsylvania) (*)
(ed.note: 'L&P!' designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their support of the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "OFO?" designates members who may already have "One Foot Out" of the Fainthearted Faction
The Conscience Caucus Republicans possibly against privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 18)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-New York)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Florida) (FIW)
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia)
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky) (L&P!)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri) (L&P!)
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Virginia) (L&P!)
Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida)
Rep. James McCrery (R-Louisiana)
Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin)
Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-Montana) (FIW)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Washington)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama)
Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan)
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Connecticut) (L&P!)
Rep. Bill Young (R-Florida) (*)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) (L&P) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 5)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) (CUP?)
Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) (CFO)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)(L&P!)
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)(FIW)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)(L&P!)
Associate Members
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R-New York) (L&P!)
(ed.note: "L&P!" designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their opposition to the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "FIW" designates members who have their "Finger in the Wind", those who have publicly stated a willingness to begin phasing-out Social Security so long as President Bush can make it safe for them to do so. "CUP?" refers to members whose status is in question because they appear to be "Caving Under the Pressure." "CFO" refers to members who remain uncertain about whether or not to phase out Social Security because the policy issues involved are so complex they "Can't Figure it Out."
From http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
(Updated February 7, 2005)
Fainthearted Faction Democrats possibly for privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 5)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida) (L&P!)
Rep. Robert "Bud" Cramer (D-Alabama) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) (*)
Rep. John Tanner (D-Tennessee) (OFO?) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 3)
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) (OFO?) (*)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) (*)
Associate Members
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska/New York) (*)
Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pennsylvania) (*)
(ed.note: 'L&P!' designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their support of the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "OFO?" designates members who may already have "One Foot Out" of the Fainthearted Faction
The Conscience Caucus Republicans possibly against privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 18)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-New York)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Florida) (FIW)
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia)
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky) (L&P!)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri) (L&P!)
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Virginia) (L&P!)
Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida)
Rep. James McCrery (R-Louisiana)
Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin)
Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-Montana) (FIW)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Washington)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama)
Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan)
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Connecticut) (L&P!)
Rep. Bill Young (R-Florida) (*)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) (L&P) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 5)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) (CUP?)
Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) (CFO)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)(L&P!)
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)(FIW)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)(L&P!)
Associate Members
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R-New York) (L&P!)
(ed.note: "L&P!" designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their opposition to the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "FIW" designates members who have their "Finger in the Wind", those who have publicly stated a willingness to begin phasing-out Social Security so long as President Bush can make it safe for them to do so. "CUP?" refers to members whose status is in question because they appear to be "Caving Under the Pressure." "CFO" refers to members who remain uncertain about whether or not to phase out Social Security because the policy issues involved are so complex they "Can't Figure it Out."
QUOTE(JILLinaz @ Feb 6 2005, 06:46 PM)
Thanks for this post. I have been fuming being 48! And all he says are the people over 55 don't need to worry, nothing will change. And the new private acct bs will benefit the younger workers....
Yeah - but don't you dare screw with my money.. I have been working since I was 16. 32 yrs I've paid into social security. I expect to receive it when I retire
Yeah - but don't you dare screw with my money.. I have been working since I was 16. 32 yrs I've paid into social security. I expect to receive it when I retire
JILLinaz
I am not in the age group so mentioned (I'm in my mid-fifties). Understand, all people who need or will need Social Security in their later years will be impacted. If younger people invest part of their SS in the market then trillions will not be contributed to the SS treasure chest. In turn, benefits will need to be reduced. As stupid as Bush is, he realizes this. He also knows that by the time most people realize that they’ve been shafted, he won’t be President (he’ll still be a jackass however). Georgie's only interest in private accounts is to help his fellow warlords on Wall Street to have a ball with the money of the idealistic.
‘Georgie the Jackass’ knows that youth is often impulsive (he should know, he spent much of his youth stiff, high and just plain dumb). He knows the young, with their dreams of riches and grandeur, will gladly invest and then readily morph into penny-pinching capitalists who will demand that corporations make whatever workforce cuts needed to increase corporate profits; they will demand that corporations outsource in order to maximize their profits; they will demand laws that are intended to destroy the labor movement. Humans have a self-destructive streak in them. Many have a touch of social masochism to go along with this. This is why humans have followed lunatics like Hitler into Hell. And Americans are human, all too human!
QUOTE(BillCarson @ Feb 8 2005, 05:30 AM)
For a mail writing campaign: Here's a list of Democrats possibly for the privatizing scheme, and Republicans possibly against it.
From http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
(Updated February 7, 2005)
Fainthearted Faction Democrats possibly for privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 5)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida) (L&P!)
Rep. Robert "Bud" Cramer (D-Alabama) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) (*)
Rep. John Tanner (D-Tennessee) (OFO?) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 3)
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) (OFO?) (*)
(Say It Ain't So) Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut) (OFO?)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) (*)
Associate Members
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska/New York) (*)
Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pennsylvania) (*)
(ed.note: 'L&P!' designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their support of the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "OFO?" designates members who may already have "One Foot Out" of the Fainthearted Faction
The Conscience Caucus Republicans possibly against privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 18)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-New York)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Florida) (FIW)
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia)
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky) (L&P!)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri) (L&P!)
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Virginia) (L&P!)
Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida)
Rep. James McCrery (R-Louisiana)
Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin)
Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-Montana) (FIW)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Washington)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama)
Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan)
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Connecticut) (L&P!)
Rep. Bill Young (R-Florida) (*)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) (L&P) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 5)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) (CUP?)
Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) (CFO)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)(L&P!)
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)(FIW)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)(L&P!)
Associate Members
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R-New York) (L&P!)
(ed.note: "L&P!" designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their opposition to the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "FIW" designates members who have their "Finger in the Wind", those who have publicly stated a willingness to begin phasing-out Social Security so long as President Bush can make it safe for them to do so. "CUP?" refers to members whose status is in question because they appear to be "Caving Under the Pressure." "CFO" refers to members who remain uncertain about whether or not to phase out Social Security because the policy issues involved are so complex they "Can't Figure it Out."
From http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
(Updated February 7, 2005)
Fainthearted Faction Democrats possibly for privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 5)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida) (L&P!)
Rep. Robert "Bud" Cramer (D-Alabama) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) (OFO?) (*)
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) (*)
Rep. John Tanner (D-Tennessee) (OFO?) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 3)
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) (OFO?) (*)
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) (*)
Associate Members
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska/New York) (*)
Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pennsylvania) (*)
(ed.note: 'L&P!' designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their support of the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "OFO?" designates members who may already have "One Foot Out" of the Fainthearted Faction
The Conscience Caucus Republicans possibly against privatizing
House
(Membership Total: 18)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-New York)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Florida) (FIW)
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia)
Rep. Mike Castle (R-Delaware)
Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Kentucky) (L&P!)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Missouri) (L&P!)
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Virginia) (L&P!)
Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida)
Rep. James McCrery (R-Louisiana)
Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin)
Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-Montana) (FIW)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Washington)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama)
Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan)
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Connecticut) (L&P!)
Rep. Bill Young (R-Florida) (*)
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) (L&P) (*)
Senate
(Membership Total: 5)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) (CUP?)
Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) (CFO)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)(L&P!)
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)(FIW)
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)(L&P!)
Associate Members
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R-New York) (L&P!)
(ed.note: "L&P!" designates members who are "Loud and Proud!" in their opposition to the president's private-accounts-based Social Security phase-out bill. "FIW" designates members who have their "Finger in the Wind", those who have publicly stated a willingness to begin phasing-out Social Security so long as President Bush can make it safe for them to do so. "CUP?" refers to members whose status is in question because they appear to be "Caving Under the Pressure." "CFO" refers to members who remain uncertain about whether or not to phase out Social Security because the policy issues involved are so complex they "Can't Figure it Out."
Here is a copy of my letter it is a little more general but I've hit half the Congress, still going:
[B] OPPRESSION OF THE POOR!
Dear Senator ?
As our U.S. representative in Congress, a voice for the people, I plead with you to please, please do not vote for anything that President Bush proposes that would cut programs and funds for th poor, middle-class, Senior Citizens (social security), health-care, vets, disabled Americans, education, tax cuts for the rich and not the poor, and any other thing that would hurt the needy in this country!
REMEMBER GOD SAYS:
" HE WHO OPPRESSES THE POOR SHOWS CONTEMPT FOR THEIR MAKER,
BUT WHOEVER IS KIND TO THE NEEDY HONORS GOD." PS. 14:31
WEBSITE FOR SENATORS: WWW.SENATE.GOV/GENERAL/CONTACT_INFORMATION/SENATORS_CFM.CFM
QUOTE(Kmarx @ Feb 8 2005, 10:38 PM)
...He knows the young, with their dreams of riches and grandeur, will gladly invest and then readily morph into penny-pinching capitalists who will demand that corporations make whatever workforce cuts needed to increase corporate profits; they will demand that corporations outsource in order to maximize their profits; they will demand laws that are intended to destroy the labor movement. Humans have a self-destructive streak in them. Many have a touch of social masochism to go along with this. This is why humans have followed lunatics like Hitler into Hell. And Americans are human, all too human!
It makes me wonder what Castro, 90 miles from Jebanana Republic of Florida, is thinking about Bushco... is he laughing his ass off, or does he pity us ?
QUOTE(peoplesrights @ Feb 8 2005, 07:16 PM)
It makes me wonder what Castro, 90 miles from Jebanana Republic of Florida, is thinking about Bushco... is he laughing his ass off, or does he pity us ?
I think he's worried.
QUOTE(kindergarten teacher @ Feb 8 2005, 11:21 PM)
I think he's worried.
I think you're right ...Batista was a piece of cake compared to Bushco.
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