As we look into which Republicans support Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) budget plan -- especially the parts that would partially privatize Social Security and dismantle Medicare -- we now have Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) on the record.
"Social Security and Medicare face great challenges and we are considering all proposals to make these programs successful for future generations. I haven't cosponsored any legislation at this point but when I do it will be a plan that is supported by the people of Arkansas," he said in a statement to TPMDC.
Although Ryan's "roadmap" is not the official budget, he is the ranking member of the House Budget Committee.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/boozman-on-ryans-social-security-plan-we-are-considering-all-proposals.phpMy tentative guess: Ryan's roadmap, which = partial privatization, is the "boogieman" option that will be used to sell the public on the supposedly "less radical" option of a combination of benefit cuts & tax hikes.
For years the propaganda has gone out: "There's nothing real in the Trust Fund!"
Now they're trying to make it a fait accompli, by reducing benefits & raising contributions - in essence, making WORKERS REPAY the fund in the form of payroll tax increases & diminished benefits.
So the sociopathic top 5% who "borrowed" 1 trillion from the Trust Fund in the form of tax cuts will never have to repay it. Over HALF the Trust Fund debt was run up during the criminal administration of george bush the younger, & that's what his fucking tax cuts were financed with.
I hope you'll call your reps & the white house.