3.03.2005

Bush policies out of line with Americans . . . Shocker!

A New York Times article out to day details the results of a recent poll conducted by the Times/CBS News. In general, the results show that Americans do not agree with Dubya's priorities.

On Social Security, 51 percent said permitting individuals to invest part of their Social Security taxes in private accounts, the centerpiece of Mr. Bush's plan, was a bad idea, even as a majority said they agreed with Mr. Bush that the program would become insolvent near the middle of the century if nothing was done. The number who thought private accounts were a bad idea jumped to 69 percent if respondents were told that the private accounts would result in a reduction in guaranteed benefits. And 45 percent said Mr. Bush's private account plan would actually weaken the economic underpinnings of the nation's retirement system . . . And nearly 50 percent said Democrats were more likely to make the right decisions about Social Security, compared with 31 percent who said the same thing about Republicans.

I find it really interesting that this topic was not a hot topic before the election, but now that he has the power, he can take SS in any way he sees fit regardless who he may screw over. Dubya probably even knew himself that he would lose voters on this domestic issue. I think it is clear to many Americans that his plan is flawed, risky, and favors the wealthy.

. . . 63 percent of respondents say the president has different priorities on domestic issues than most Americans. Asked to choose among five domestic issues facing the country, respondents rated Social Security third, behind jobs and health care.

Well, after 4 months since the election, it looks like he is off to a good start.

posted by nick at 12:16 PM | Permalink

1 Comment(s) - Click to View/Hide

This whole Social Security thing makes me angry - especially as the GOP is planning another public support campaign to scare people into buying this privitization scheme. Of course Soc.Sec. will run into problems in 2042. But isn't there some other way to fix it? The most interesting thing is this - the transitionary costs of moving to private accounts will cost our government somewhere between 1-4 trillion dollars. Couldn't we just put that much into Soc.Sec.? I bet that would make it solvent for a LONG time. I think Michael Kinsley frames the issue best - It's like a man who comes to George Bush and says, "I'm dying of thirst and I really need a glass of water." Bush says, "Heh, you don't want water, you want lemonade! It's much better." So the man says, "Okay." Bush hands the man a packet of lemonade powder and says, "Here...just add water!" comment by  brian, 3/03/2005 1:41 PM