Today would be an excellent day for Dems to bring up the idea of privatizing Social Security! ;)

[reformist2]

I know it's not a front-burner issue these days, but we need to drive the nails into the coffin of this truly horrific idea whenever the opportunity presents itself - like today!

[CrispyQ]

1. We can always count on the dems to miss a prime opp at getting the message out!

I'll never forget the summer of 2009, when the health care debate was raging. At the same time, Remote Area Medical had that huge event in Los Angeles - free health care & dental care. People came from all over the country to see a doctor. The media was even there reporting on it, but were there any dems?

It was a prime opp to say, "Here is what single payer would be like, only better - you can choose your own doctor in your own town." Instead, crickets, while the repubs screamed about death camps & killing grandma. Oh well, the corporate overlords got what they wanted. It wasn't free health care for all, but rather mandated insurance for the insurance companies. My guess? There are a lot of dems that want to privatize SS.

We're truly fucked. The 1% want it all.

[reformist2]

2. Exactly - when teachable moments occur like that one, and this one, we have to make the most of them

Too bad the public thinks that the Romneycare that we got, is what most Democrats actually wanted.

[Samantha]

3. In 2003, when George W. Bush* pushed for privatization of Social Security

the transition expenses alone were estimated to cost 3 Trillion Dollars. It was said Uncle Sam would not be willing to pay this transition cost, and neither would the recipient of the program. The only way this obligation could be met would be to cut benefits of participants, which cuts were projected to be very hefty.

During the 2008 market crash, I asked the question if Social Security had been privatized, how much would have been lost. It was an open question asked here on this forum. Two days later, Paul Begala in a cable appearance brought the subject up and said if Social Security had been privatized, 40 percent of the Trust Fund would have evaporated.

Imagine coupling these two events together (a double whammy) and try to think what the consequences on that program would be. In my opinion, Social Security participants would be sweeping the crumbs up off the floor ... if they could find any. But of course that would make Pete Peterson very, very happy -- and that is all that matters in these times.

Sam

[reformist2]

4. Thanks for that info! Shocking statistics.