Politics

Congressional Republicans Want to Privatize and Cut Social Security

By Office of the Speaker

After joining President Bush in his failed attempt to privatize Social Security, House Republican Leader John Boehner and Congressional Republicans are at it again.

Yesterday, Boehner described the GOP?s alternative budget proposal ? authored by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin ? as ?a pretty good list of options? when it comes to dealing with the deficit:

Boehner? pointed to $1.3 trillion in potential cuts outlined by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as ?a pretty good list of options.?

Most of the cuts in the Ryan-GOP plan come from privatizing Social Security and ending Medicare as we know it ? turning it into a voucher program instead of a guaranteed benefit:

Some GOP lawmakers also have endorsed Ryan’s alternative budget plan, which would wipe out deficits in part by privatizing Social Security and replacing traditional Medicare benefits with an insurance voucher for people age 55 and older.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office analyzed the Ryan-GOP plan:

Traditional retirement benefits would be reduced below those scheduled under current law for many workers who are age 55 or younger in 2011?

Boehner has repeatedly refused to take privatization off the table:

Asked whether partial privatization of Social Security, which Republicans pushed unsuccessfully in 2005, would be part of a GOP agenda, he twice replied, “I have no idea.”

Democrats are committed to protecting Social Security for America?s seniors, workers and their families and fighting against privatization schemes. Social Security is not the cause of our budget deficits, and benefit cuts should not be part of the solution.

Full post as published by The Gavel on July 22, 2010 (boomark / email).