From
Senator to Propose Raising Retirement Age
A leading Republican senator is proposing to raise the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 68, while Democrats maintain their opposition to the president's plan to overhaul the retirement program with private investment accounts.
[snip]
Hagel's plan, which he said is the first Social Security reform bill being introduced in the Senate this year, would allow workers 45 and younger to keep their guaranteed Social Security account, but set up a voluntary program of personal accounts that could supplement their retirement income.
"The president has not laid down a specific plan as to how he's going to get us to solvency," Hagel said. "I do that. It doesn't mean mine's best, but I do it."
That's good. Wouldn't want to insinuate that you know more than Your Man From Connecticut. Might shake him right off his pedestal.
More below.
Democrats also object to the president's call for personal accounts because they would not make Social Security solvent. Treasury Secretary John Snow, appearing on ABC, maintained the personal accounts still must be part of the solution.
"They don't in and of themselves bring those lines together," he said. "But we'll never get a fair and equitable solution to the Social Security problem unless personal accounts are an integral part of the solution."
Mmmm. Thank you for the Kool-Aid Mr Snow. But wait, what was that about retirement age, Chuck?
A leading Republican senator is proposing to raise the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 68, while Democrats maintain their opposition to the president's plan to overhaul the retirement program with private investment accounts.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's plan would raise the age that retirees could receive full benefits, beginning in 2023. "We are living longer," Hagel said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation." "So when you look at the total universe of this, I think that makes some sense to extend the age."
That's right, Chuck. It's not that the current deficit doesn't allow the gov't to pay back the money it's borrowed from the SS surplus [and the proposed budget actually takes away from what you put in], its that people just won't die when it's conveinient for you.
Call me crazy, but I'm betting good ol Chucky didn't come up with this one on its own. With the infallibility of Der Busher in direct question on this issue, you don't think they'd farm out the 'compromises'? We all know no self-respecting Democrat would listen to anything coming out of Bush's mouth...does Chuck do better?
But some leading Democrats said they could not support Hagel's plan because he would pay for private accounts by borrowing and increasing the nation's deficit. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., told ABC's "This Week" that would be "a great threat to seniors" because it would raise interest rates.
Solid point, but the WH still doesn't have a clue.
White House counselor Dan Bartlett said that while polls show most Americans don't like the idea, most of the opposition is coming from people over 55 who won't be affected by it. He said on "Fox News Sunday" that Bush will try to reassure those older Americans that their benefits won't change.
Hmmm...good luck. A majority of people don't want you to destroy this program Mr. Bush. A solid majority. You're into Democracy, right?
With this 'compromise' breaking the seal, I expect to see many more SS bills put forth by other Republicans, not questioning the uber-powerful policy sword of Bush, but as a way to reach out to democrats by rephrasing the Presidents policy with gimmicks to draw focus away from private accounts.
I don't want to bet my Social Security money. I want it guaranteed. No compromises.