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Feb 25, 2004 Way back in September 2003, my buddy, Mr. Robert (I wish I was a real conservative, but I wear sheep’s clothing) Novak put together a column concerning an attempt to reform Social Security. Republican Rep. Jim Demint was to introduce a reform that would permit younger workers to privately invest part or all of their Social Security. What made this even more noteworthy was the possibility that Rep. Demint’s bill would be co-sponsored by Democrat Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee. Mr. Robert (I really thought I was conservative, but maybe not) Novak touted this possible co- sponsorship as “a major breakthrough in efforts to save the Social Security system.” The plan must have had all the right things going for it because Mr. Robert (Gee, am I really a conservative, Or some liberal puke?) Novak noted, “all of the [Democrat] party’s 2004 presidential candidates” opposed the reforms intended by the Demint plan. Mr. Robert (I really should fess up on the Plame deal, but I can’t) Novak further opined, “Ford’s co-sponsorship would undermine the Democratic mantra that there is nothing the matter with Social Security…” and that it is just a Republican scare tactic. The bottom dollar line in taxpayer savings in the Demint plan however, was $17.9 Trillion over a 75-year span. That estimate is not chump change! Finally, Mr. Robert (I will sit on my source, causing the taxpayers more grief) Novak wrote, “Joining Demint would be a daring act by Ford to show Democrat colleagues that Social Security need not be bound by the restraints of a 1938 economy…I applaud Congressman Ford for his bold and courageous stand.” Now, I am remembering Geraldo and Al Capone’s Vault. Only a couple of days after reading Mr. Robert (I really tried to get Ford to return my calls) Novak’s column I saw a short filler piece in FOXNEWS that began, “Republican Jim Demint of South Carolina failed to break the partisan deadlock over Social Security when Democrat Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee backed away from a bill authorizing partial privatization.” Mr. Demint ended up introducing the bill without Ford’s co-sponsorship. Ford actually denied that he had ever committed to the bill (even though he shook hands on it) then he “resorted to liberal rhetoric” by saying that Social Security could only be saved by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts. The FOXNEWS blurb explained that “Ford was pressured by colleagues not to join in permitting individual investment in lieu of Social Security payroll taxes.” Ford was pressured to leave the status “quo”. Do not give anyone any of their money to invest for him or herself. We must ensure that the next generation is fully dependent upon the government Social Security program to ensure they will never vote for a Republican. I am sad that when intelligent plans are offered to help the poor and middle class, partisanship destroys all hope and keeps the poor beholden to the demic-rats and the middle class on the edge of poverty. Ford would have been right to support Demint and was very wrong to withdraw from a plan that could very well have given him bragging rights over someone like Nancy Pelosi. The needs of the people were again sacrificed in the name of demic- rat political "quagmireic" power. ------------ About the Author: Independent, Conservative, Christian. Married 29 years with 5 children raised and one grandson being raised. 30 year Army Veteran and published poet with www.poetry.com since Y2K. Email Michael John McCrae: michael.mccrae@us.army.mil Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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