TOPICS
TOPICS
Social Security Administration dipping into politics, report says
House Democratic leaders released a report Monday charging the Bush administration with politicizing the Social Security Administration by working with the SSA to alter its message strategy to support Bush's agenda.
The report states that SSA has "markedly changed its communications to the public over the last four years," citing language and message changes in informational brochures, news releases, and a communications presentation provided to employees that have grown increasingly negative on the future of Social Security.
"Although the solvency of the Social Security system has improved over the last four years," the report states, "the public communications from the agency have grown more dire."
The report is based on a review of over 4,000 pages of agency documents from the past decade.
"The Bush administration must stop using the SSA as it tries to scare up support for privatizing Social Security," Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee ranking member Sander Levin, D-Mich, said in a statement. "The agency must reassert its independence and promote its goal -- professional, nonpartisan administration of the Social Security programs." At presstime, calls to the agency had not been returned.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, meanwhile, when asked whether President Bush would support new retirement accounts as an add-on to the Social Security system, pointed to Bush's openness to all ideas about changing Social Security, except for raising payroll tax rates.
But McClellan also noted that individuals already have the option of putting their savings into individual retirement accounts, and he reiterated Bush's commitment to his own proposal, which would use payroll taxes to fund retirement accounts.
And Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., launched a pre-emptive strike Monday against a public relations blitz Democrats are planning for next weekend, challenging Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to debate Social Security reform when Reid visits Phoenix as part of a four-state "fly around" planned by the Democratic leader.
In a letter to Reid, Kolbe, who has introduced Social Security legislation with Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Fla., challenges the minority leader to debate the various reform proposals being floated on Capitol Hill, arguing that "is an issue of paramount importance to Americans; and as members of Congress, we have a responsibility to debate our views in public."
COMMENTS
- Let's see we are going to let people who aren't dependent upon SS vote on changing it. These people have a retirement program which makes SS look like welfare. I think this should be voted on since our elected officials don't give a hoot whether SS is solvent or not. The supplement Bush is talking about is reflective to the stock market and is a gamble any way you look at it. GovExec.com reader Posted March 2, 2005 8:33 AM
- Someone explain to me how it's a bad idea for me to own what I pay into my retirement? I understand that there would be a period of time where the Ponzi scheme Congress set up will not be funded adequately, but heck! That's the case now where only 3 workers exist for each beneficiary, rather than the 32 or so that existed at its inception. I still haven't seen where those that don't like the ownership plan have suggested any alternative except "There's no crisis. It won't be bankrupt for 32 years!" I understand that this means they will likely not be in office when it happens, but sheesh! Let's get some dialogue going on how to make it self-sustaining. The Dems under Clinton were the ones clamoring about the impending crisis and the Reps claimed there was none. The roles simply reversed when the political clout shifted. Can't we get elected leaders in both parties (besides Bush and Clinton) that will even TRY to lead? It may be time for a new party that will do the will of the people rather than the will of the party... Skeptical Posted March 2, 2005 7:49 AM
- "House Democratic leaders released a report Monday charging the Bush administration with politicizing the Social Security Administration by working with the SSA to alter its message strategy to support Bush's agenda." Bush is doing what a Chief Executive should do - how dare he! Come on Democrats, wake up! You lost the election because of this kind of trash and you continue to foster it without concern for what needs to be done! The Chief Executive runs the executive branch and so the units in the executive branch should reflect the view of the CEO! How can Democrats find that surprising? The Democrats could win if they were realistic and stopped this political sniping. Tell the facts and show the outcomes. Bush stands on quicksand! He overstates his case on Social Security, he overstated the case for weapons of mass destruction, he overstated the case for nuclear weapons development, he has gutted environmental enforcement by the administration, he started an unjust war, he is spending far too much money, he is fostering trade that takes jobs from the people that are electing him - come on Democrats why can't you beat him? There has to be a qualified Democrat somewhere in the USA (not Hilary, Dean or Kerry). Maybe Warner in Virgina but the next time is your greatest chance. If you blow it then you have lost the war! The Bush social security plan is totally wrong but the Democrats are not tell the people why it is wrong! The Democrats have been led into an arguement of whether the social security system is in crisis or not and not why the proposed actions are wrong! Democrats - get on the real issues and stop fighting the fog! taxpayer Posted March 1, 2005 7:01 AM
