President Bush Leads on Social Security
Good Morning – for those of you who don’t know me – I am State Representative Leah Vukmir and I am proud to be here with you to show our support for our President, George W. Bush!!!!!
I want to thank each and every one of you here today for coming out to show your support for the bold leadership of President Bush on Social Security reform. And I also want to thank everyone who wanted to be here but couldn’t because they are busy working and earning money to provide for their families, pay their taxes – and yes – even earning money for their retirement.
President Bush should be commended for challenging the status quo and shunning contemporary politics. He didn’t have to grab onto the third-rail of American politics – Social Security – he could have left this problem for the next President. The President knows that if we don’t reform this program now – every day we wait – the problem becomes more expensive and will cheat tomorrow’s seniors. In just a few years, Social security will begin paying out more in benefits than it receives in payroll taxes.
Here is the Democrat’s plan for fixing social security – nothing – they have offered no solutions at all, well actually … last week one brave Democrat told us the truth – Florida Congressman Bob Wexler offered his solution – a massive payroll tax increase. This is nothing new – Social Security taxes have been increased 40 times since the program began in 1935. That has always been their answer…but it has NEVER been a solution.
Of course the Democratic leadership and their liberal allies are denying that they support a tax increase – but that IS the reality of their plan: to do NOTHING (but raise our taxes.)
In a little while – the President’s opponents will stand in this very spot and ACCUSE US of seeking to dismantle Social Security. But I assure you and every working American that contrary to what the Democrats say – THE PRESIDENT IS DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN AND PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY and keep our promise to this and EVERY generation!
I understand that Governor Doyle may even be here – imagine that… our Governor talking about Social Security – what on earth is he going to propose? Maybe he can do for Social Security what he planned to do with our state budget… pay today’s bills on a credit card leaving the problem for generations who haven’t even been born yet.
If we follow them, we will obliterate a decades old promise to America’s workers.
In 1964 Ronald Reagan gave his famed ‘Time for Choosing’ speech – he laid out many of the ideas that George W. Bush proposes today. Reagan called for a voluntary program of ownership and personal control, because the problems with the Social Security system were obvious then and they remain today – it is a flawed financial structure that cannot meet its long-term obligations.
America cannot meet its promises to its workers. Social Security depends on current workers funding current retirees’ benefits. And as Baby Boomers begin to retire in just a few short years, the program will run deficits and be unable to make good on those promises. In 1950 there were 16 workers supporting one retiree. Today there are only three workers per retiree. The problem is obvious – unless you are a Democrat.
As Ronald Reagan said back in 1964 “the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so.” On Social Security, Democrats are consumed with denial. The way to recovery starts with one simple step – admitting that you have a problem.
Our President, George W. Bush acknowledges the problem. His commitment to an ownership society and fundamental reform will strip the program of its pay-as-you-go structure and allow every American worker to participate in the economic opportunities that America provides. Isn’t this what it is all about?
The President’s proposal for Personal Retirement Accounts will enable you to voluntarily invest a portion of your payroll taxes into an account in your name, containing your money, growing for your retirement. Even better – because it is your account – you will have the ability to decide who your beneficiaries are. You can pass on your account to your spouse, your children, or your grandchildren.
Gone will be the days when the American worker is subject to the whims of Congress and lingering on the promises of politicians. No longer will well-funded pensions be exclusive to politicians, bureaucrats and unions – everyone will have ownership and control over their own future and retirement.
The Democrats speak of “tweaks” and “minor adjustments” to fix what ails Social Security. But these tweaks and minor adjustments are really CODE FOR WHAT? [That’s right – tax increases and benefit cuts.] What more can you expect from the party of no ideas, no leaders, and no vision for the future of Wisconsin and America?
Their proposals to raise taxes will hurt American workers and doom our economy to mediocrity. Their plan kills jobs and stifles America’s entrepreneurs.
If there is one thing that I know – Wisconsin doesn’t need a tax increase – we have had enough. We continue to be one of the highest taxed states in the country. We don’t need more taxes!
We, as a country, sent George W. Bush back to Washington to pursue a bold agenda of reform – to change the way government and its citizens interact. For three generations, Americans have upheld a social contract – to ensure that our grandparents can live securely and with dignity.
We will not break our promise to America’s seniors. They are our parents, our grandparents, one day our children, and yes, even ourselves. We will not put them in harm’s way. We will fight to secure this promise for all generations.
Democrats are failing in their obligations to each and every one of us.
President Bush needs your support and he is here in Milwaukee to do the right thing…
To lead America forward…
To provide an opportunity for Americans to realize their dreams of working and raising a family…
We all know what that dream is:
To educate our children…to own our own homes…and to
retire with the peace of mind that we have a Social Security system
that works for every generation. That is what our President wants for all of us….that is why he is here today.
Thank you again for coming this morning. Thank you for all you have done and thank you for all you will do to make Social Security reform a reality. The President cannot do it without your support! Keep the faith. Thanks again and may God bless you!
