Heath Shuler on Social Security

No privatizing nor dismantling

This contract between the generations is inarguably the most successful social program ever implemented in the history of the US. Yet the Bush Administration wants to dismantle Social Security by placing large portions of its funds in the hands of Wall Street executives. They want to privatize Social Security and risk the retirement that millions of American seniors have earned and make billions of dollars for themselves while doing it. I will never support these dangerous and expensive giveaways. Source: Campaign website, www.heathshuler.com, "Issues" Nov 7, 2006

Strengthen Trust Funds and take them off-budget.

Shuler adopted the Blue Dog Coalition letter:

Blue Dog budget framework

Take the Social Security and Medicare trust fund surpluses off-budget and require that the trust fund surpluses be saved for Social Security and Medicare
Reserve half of the on-budget surplus over the next five years -- $370 billion -- for debt reduction and strengthening Social Security and Medicare
Allocate one-quarter of the on-budget surplus over the next five years for investments in priorities identified by the President and supported by both parties in Congress, including defense, Medicare prescription drugs, education, agriculture, low-income programs and veterans.
Devote one-quarter of the on-budget surplus to tax cuts retroactive to 2001, for a net tax cut of $180 billion from 2001-2006.

Source: Blue Dog Coalition letter to the Senate 01-BDC5 on May 9, 2001

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Page last updated: Jul 05, 2008