Report from Cong. Betty McCollum's SS Town Hall

Mrs. Dodger and I went to the Fairview Community Center in Roseville this morning to see and hear Betty, my congressperson, tell us about the SS issue.

By the way, she is GREAT!

You can see a slideshow of the pictures I took here:

http://www.dodgerdigital.com/betty/

It's a slide show, click the icon between the left-right arrows to view at your own pace.

She laid out the facts and how incredibly difficult it is for the Democrats to get anything done in the Repug House.
She had some nice things to say about Gil Gutknecht, which is kind of puzzling, considering his bullshit-filled article in the Strib about SS a few days ago.
Most of what she talked about is stuff every DU'er already knows, mainly that this is a smokescreen to take the attention away from the real problems: budget, medicare, health care.
What a lot of the public is not hearing is that Social Security is also about survivor and disability benefits, not just retirement insurance.
She told a story at the end that send cold chills through everyone -- about how the House Rules committee is overloaded with Tom "Squirrel Nuts" DeLay's cronies and that no amendment can be submitted without their approval. Needless to say, the Dems can't get much done.
Betty asked: "What gives Tom DeLay the right to prevent me from representing my district?"
Indeed.
I tell people all the time -- you folks just do not understand all you are getting when you vote for these repugs.

Several tales of woe regarding private pensions from employers and that Pension Guarantee Trust, or whatever it's called.
The lady who told about TSP was the most compelling. Betty interrupted her at the beginning, waved her hands and said that if you have an opportunity to join this -- DON'T!!
Basically, TSP lost a huge pile of dough to some company and wanted to sue them. John Ashcroft told them no, don't do it, only the Bush Admin and Justice Department can do that. The TSP Board went ahead and did it anyway, feeling they did have the authority to do so.
Ashcroft filed a brief with the court asking them NOT TO HEAR THE CASE!

The other points brought up are the same things we talk about on this forum -- borrowing trillions to start it up, claims of expanded benefits based on unrealistic long-term rates of returns.

I was glad to see a lot of seniors there, persons who probably would not suffer if Bush had his way, but were passionate against it just the same.

It was NEVER designed to be a retirement account. It is truly a social insurance program that not only provides retirement income, but survivor and disability benefits too.

In fact, I've used that argument with a number of pro-privatizers, and most of them don't even realize that.

Thanks for the report and pics! :thumbsup:

usually don't know a lot of things, so this is not surprising.

I meant to attend this forum but woke up with a bad sore throat, so I appreciate your report.

nt

I hope after 2006 we never, ever again find ourselves in a situation where amendments from a minority party can't even be introduced.

it would be kind of fun to leave some of the rules the Repukes have changed in place for at least a couple of months. :evilgrin:

Some of it can never be repaired.

and summary.