New doubts on Social Security plan

[Javaman]

Hill Republican seeks broader review of system
By Mike Allen and Jonathan Weisman
Updated: 10:56 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2005


House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) predicted yesterday that partisan warfare over Social Security will quickly render President Bush's plan "a dead horse" and called on Congress to undertake a broader review of the problems of an aging nation.

Thomas, one of Capitol Hill's most powerful figures on tax policy, is the highest-ranking House Republican official to cast doubt on the president's plan for creating individual investment accounts. He said that as an alternative, he will consider changes such as replacing the payroll tax as Social Security's financing mechanism and adding a savings plan for long-term or chronic care as "an augmentation to Social Security payments."

"What I'm trying to get people to do is get out of the narrow moving around of the pieces inside the Social Security box," Thomas said at a forum on Bush's second term sponsored by the National Journal. "If we miss this opportunity . . . I think we will have missed an opportunity that may not present itself for another 20 years."

Bush's plan for allowing younger Americans to divert a third or more of their payroll taxes into private investment accounts to enhance their long-term benefits has drawn fire from Democrats, who say it is a risky step toward partial privatization of Social Security. Many Republicans have expressed reservations about the political wisdom of Bush's vision for restructuring the nearly 70-year-old retirement and income security program, and Thomas's comments will fuel the controversy.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6841171/

[Bozita]

1. Show this to the women -- "Gender-adjusted benefits?"

from the article:

Gender-adjusted benefits?

Perhaps most provocatively, Thomas said lawmakers should debate whether Social Security benefits should differ for men and women, because women live longer. "We never have debated gender-adjusting Social Security," he said. A House leadership official said that not even Republicans on Thomas's committee would vote for that idea. Thomas also said the system might take into account the need of blue-collar workers to retire younger than office workers.

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. If woman are forced to secret abortions

that'll sure show'em they better not live longer! </sarcasm>

WTF is wrong wtih these people? (No need to answer...is a rhetorical question...)

Let's waste time in bringing an "aging nation" (from the article), into the 21st Century by debating over shit like this while more Americans are going hungry, ending up homeless, in need of medical care...but hey! Let's debate over the issue of who wins more and what do those who have a shorter life span get outta this social security "deal".

[zann725]

8. And that means? That they'll "cut" Women's benefits?

Anticipating that they MIGHT live longer? And that (as 2nd-class citizens in Neo-Con eyes) we intimidate easily...as evidenced by our right to "Choose"...which we keep losing control over again and again due to "old white men."

[genieroze]

11. It's called sexism, hey if the overturn Roe V Wade then maybe

women will die sooner. Break out the coathangers.

[mcscajun]

12. They're already "gender-adjusted" by virtue of our lower pay over time.

Bastards. When we're making 100% of men's wages, then they can talk...in the meantime...

I'll give 'em something to 'gender-adjust'. :wtf:

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. "a dead horse"

Too bad these assholes didn't wise up to the chimp 2 years ago, we wouldn't be in such deep shit in Iraq now. Iraq will be the downfall of the dunce in chief.

[NYC]

4. I'm praying for the dead horse.

...House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) predicted yesterday that partisan warfare over Social Security will quickly render President Bush's plan "a dead horse"...

May the dead horse win!

[Bozita]

6. A tipping of the ol' mug for all dead horses everywhere

... especially this one.

[NYC]

9. We'll drink a stirrup cup

to the dead horse.

[lovuian]

5. Problem 100 million and a few Bill for Iraq and Social Security 0

how does a congressman sign onto that !!!

[zann725]

7. And the last Rep. from CA who headed W&M died of cancer recently,

remember? I'll believe the "standing up" when I actually see it.

Call me jaded, but I'm still in shock from Kerry's rolling-over to Condi R today.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

10. Kerry's rolling over? I thought he voted no?

:shrug:

[struggle4progress]

13. kick