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Reform ideas that never caught on in 2006 are back in the 2007 budget

On behalf of the more than 500 business, advocacy, senior and student organizations that comprise the Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security (CoMPASS), the organization urges House and Senate members to adopt legislation this fall to fix Social Security.

Democratic Leadership Council Backed Real Reform in 2000

Students for Saving Social Security Communications Director Ben Ferguson was interviewed on Your World With Neil Cavuto about the group's recent efforts: "We met with senators…on the finance committee and the bottom line is they're not that worried about it right now and they should be. They should be very worried about our future."

"GROW Accounts" plan would create personal within Social Security to wall off surplus.

Contrary to what the mainstream media would have you believe, the poll numbers are actually looking favorable for social security reform.

Poll information on support for Social Security Reform compiled by the White House's Office of Strategic Initiatives.

"The long-term financial condition of the Social Security system deteriorated slightly over the last year, the government reported Wednesday, and President Bush's supporters immediately said this strengthened the case for enacting a fundamental change in the program this year."

"Based on revised assumptions, the trustees now estimate that by 2041 the system's trust fund will be exhausted, meaning the system will only be able to pay out a percentage of the benefits currently promised. ..."

"...When the talk turned to the promising surplus forecasts that Greenspan relied on to support President Bush's 2001 tax cuts, the former First Lady pounced. 'It turns out that we were all wrong,' Greenspan admitted. But Hillary quickly snapped: 'Just for the record, we were not all wrong, but many people were wrong.' Hillary had joined with most of her Democrat colleagues to vote against the 2001 tax cuts, and one of their stated reasons was that the federal deficits would explode. Of course, this was before the 9/11 attacks and the global War on Terror, which helped to both slow economic growth and vastly increase federal spending."

"At his press briefing Wednesday, Bush again stated that personal retirement accounts are insufficient to make Social Security permanently solvent. With all due respect, Mr. President, you're wrong. The chief actuary of Social Security has scored four separate personal-accounts plans as achieving full solvency without tax increases or benefit cuts."

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan once again called on legislators "to move promptly to put Social Security on firm financial footing," warning that lack of action could lead to negative consequences such as budget deficits and a stagnant economy.

"Congress will pass a Social Security bill, and Democrats who stand in the way will be considered obstructionists by voters, the head of the Republican Party said Monday in an Associated Press interview."

Despite the fact that public opinion seems to be wavering on social security reform, article argues that reform is still a good idea that deserves promotion.

"As President Bush 'goes on tour,' trying to sell his still ambiguous Social Security Reform plan to the American people in 60 different cities, the one idea that is clear is that the program, as we know, it should be reformed. ..."

"Mindless partisanship has gotten in the way of the liberal traditional instinct to fight injustice. But the injustice of Social Security in its present form is plain. ..."

"Altering the U.S. Social Security government retirement program is crucial to keeping tax rates low and to prevent any sudden cutback in government programs, a Treasury Department official said on Monday."

Bryan O'Keefe points out the following hypocrisy... "...big labor has one of the most contradictory positions -- at once arguing that the stock market is a bad investment for retirees, but, at the same time, having billions of dollars invested in the stock market in its pension funds for union members."

"Capitol Hill makes three of the four savings accounts proposed in President Bush administration's 2006 budget plan a legislative reality."

"President Bush and Democrats took their differences over Social Security to the airwaves on Saturday, with Bush complaining about 'scare ads' against his plan and Democrats denouncing his proposal as a 'risky privatization scheme.'"

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, "Perception Of Social Security System As Having 'Major Problems' Or 'Crisis' Shared By Republicans, Democrats, And Independents."

75% Of Republicans, 63% Of Democrats, And 68% Of Independents Surveyed Think Social Security System To Be In A State Of "Crisis" Or To Have "Major Problems"

Adamo asserts that liberal groups such as the AARP thrive "...on the backs of frightened and dependent members, and therefore works to ensure they stay that way."

That's why, Adamo claims, they cannot "...sanction any Bush plan, no matter how favorable to future generations, or how thoroughly it protects present recipients from any adverse effects, if such a plan holds even the tiniest possibility of allowing them to disentangle themselves from the debilitating web of dependence on government."

Quotes from President Bush and facts about Social Security reform.

Democrats can't seem to agree on whether or not Social Security reform is needed, let alone what type of reform should be implemented.

"AARP Magazine features 'Myths and Truths About Social Security' by 'the magazine's Social Security expert' Karen Westerberg Reyes. I was not surprised to find their expert audaciously redefining truths as myths and myths as truths."

"President Bush is selling his Social Security reform plan to young Americans, hoping their enthusiasm can help convince lawmakers to push through landmark policy change. But the payoff could also mean more young Republican voters..."

"Pity the opponents of Social Security reform. Now that President Bush has spelled out some details of his plan to keep the program from sliding into insolvency, it's going to be harder for them to demonize it. It's always easier to fear-monger the unknown."

Three lawmakers so far are the targets of Club For Growth's multimillion-dollar advertising campaign to promote President Bush's Social Security reforms.

Democratic leadership is apparently threatening its members who support Social Security reform.

The Democrats are preparing for a major offensive to kill President Bush's Social Security reform plans, claiming they are "dead on arrival."

Jim Trippon, former senior Price Waterhouse CPA, says "...citizens should be allowed to privatize their retirement funds using only Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). With TIPS, citizens can invest their money in five, 10 or 20 year terms. Owners receive interest payments every six months and the bonds are protected from inflation, meaning the worth of their retirement investment ultimately cannot be depleted in value."

David Boaz argues that in just a few years, Social Security will start draining money from the US Treasury to pay benefits. He insists that this is not a distant crisis, but something that needs to be addressed now.