Bush and allies trying to undercut AARP on Social Security

[Rose Siding]

snip>
In an airport hangar here, college senior Amy Partin joined the president onstage to serve as a human reminder of the future. Bush hit his central message over and over -- people over 55 will not be affected by changes he's proposing. He used the phrase "nothing changes" four times.

"Once the seniors realize nothing changes, the voices you'll hear from are the Amys of America," Bush told 2,000 people assembled recently for one of a string of campaign-style events pitching his Social Security plan.

At the same time, conservatives allied with Bush are trying to undercut the AARP.
"AARP doesn't care about the children or grandchildren of their own membership, and I think that's very shortsighted," Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., contended Tuesday.
...
It's risky. Polling shows that the AARP is more respected than any other prominent voice in the Social Security debate, including Bush, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and congressional leaders of both parties.

"You have to be careful who you attack," said Republican strategist Ed Rollins, who recently conducted a bipartisan poll on Social Security. "Going after the AARP is nuts. Don't make them the enemy."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2005/03/08/bush_and_allies_trying_to_undercut_aarp_on_social_security/

[physioex]

1. For once I agree with Ed Rollins...

Going after the AARP is political suicide. But ohhhhh those coroporate interests sure want them to try.......

[msongs]

2. "wreck", "destroy", "rape" any dems using this language yet re SS?

I talk to my neighbors about this stuff and they act is if they don't have a clue or care about the issue. The government will do what is best for us........that's the most common theme.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/liberaltshirts.htm

[Trish1168]

6. but the older folks vote....unlike your neighbors

They are alienating the most politically active groups of people. And based on the town meeting I went to....they are pissed.

Alot of elderly are old enough to remember when SS was started by FDR. They ALSO remember how hard the republicans fought to oppose it. Its not hard for them to believe that they just want to undo it.

Apathy in rampant in this country. But the apathetic don't vote.

[Zenlitened]

3. Well, bush and allies did a good job of setting AARP up...

... as a punching bag, alienating the group from its membership over the Medicare "reform."

Makes me want to don my tinfoil hat and believe the whole Medicare thing was just to soften 'em up in time for the SS battle. Freaky.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. The AARP cut their own throats

They're gonna have to yell louder and longer than they ever have, to get back into the good graces of those they want to be their core constituency.

I don't think they're up to the fight. They'll cave.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. I'm full of what, exactly?

Please be specific.

I DID just have pizza for a late lunch, but I doubt that's "it"...

[MaineDem]

9. Many many people dumped their AARP memberships over the Medicare flap

My husband and I did and I know of thousands others.

I don't like the AARP for that reason but I don't think the administration is very smart to take that organization on. Social Security is a bigger issue to most of its members than the Medicare stance was. And many members are in that "under 55" group.

[Cha]

13. If you disagree with someone on

our DU Board..please don't tell them they are "full of it".

There's enough shit goin' on with the bushmonkey fascists ..to zero our venom in on.

I hope you're right about AARP fight!

[Trish1168]

5. hold on to that 3rd rail....good and tight

zap zap zap zap zap zap zap zap

zzzzzzap zzzzzzap

Oohh please let their arrogance be their undoing!!! Please please please.

Please let them attack the AARP. Please let them continue to call the AARP anti-American gay loving socialists.

If these guys are so arrogant as to wish for a world dictatorship (evidenced by the writings of the PNAC)....then their craziness needs to become obvious somehow (in the absence of the MSM).

[Toots]

10. Diebold says "ask us if we give a shit"

They can now badmouth any damn person or group they please and suffer no ill consequence. Ain't this new Amerika grand?

[Cha]

14. Exactamundo! It's the fascists in the

chimphouse working with the fascist whorepress that will brook no oppposition.

We'll see what fate has in store for these monkeyshit worshippers.

[bunkerbuster1]

12. Greatest. SS Post. Ever.

well, perhaps I exaggerate, but I love the imagery.

[creeksneakers2]

11. Somebody ought to point out

how selfish and self centered Bush thinks our senior citizens must be. Bush can't conceive any reason why the seniors might oppose his plan if they don't get their benefits cut. Did Bush ever consider they might be patriotic Americans who care about America's future? Deep down, RWs like Bush believe there is nothing beyond an every man for himself world.

[Cha]

15. Ya just did!

THank you..it's so true!

[lovuian]

16. These men are ruthless and are like pit bulls

Hang in there AARP!!!

[AnnInLa]

17. Today, I got my latest "AARP Bulletin" newspaper

I will quote one of the "letters to the editor."

From Robert K in California:

"A recent poll indicated that people age 60 and over favor MINIMUM change to SS....why---after Mr Bush made it perfectly clear that those seniors will not be affected by any proposed changes? Here's why. We are opposed to the changes because we are aware of the market pitfalls, and we are concerned for our children and grandchildren. We fear that younger workers will "bet on the come" and be sorely hurt by a market dip. And we are concerned for loss of the stablilizing effect that the present SS system has had on the income of retired individuals."


In an article on SS later in the Bulletin, an expert named Ball is commenting on how bush's plan COULD affect those 55 and older:

"Presidential proposals almost never get through Congress without being changed," says Ball. "The cuts bush would propose for younger workers are so steep that I don't see legislators going for it. There would be a ot of pressure to spread the pain and cut benefits for everybody."

[cosmicdot]

18. I consider Mr. Sununu's statement slander

"AARP doesn't care about the children or grandchildren of their own membership, and I think that's very shortsighted," Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., contended Tuesday.

So, I just rejoined AARP to protest this unconscionable comment and despicable behavior by the Radical Republicans.