State of Texas Archives: on Social Security

Vicente Gonzalez: Oppose privatization of safety nets

• Expand social security to keep up with inflation and cost of living adjustments.
• Strengthen and improve Medicare.
• Oppose Republican efforts to cut funding and oppose privatization of these safety nets.

Emily Sanchez: Opposes privatizing Social Security

A: Oppose.

David Alameel: Vows to NEVER cut or privatize Social Security and Medicare

A: Social Security and Medicare are promises to the seniors who worked hard, paid into the system all their lives and made our country what it is today. In the Senate, David Alameel will always honor that promise because he understands that our seniors have earned a dignified retirement. He vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare and will fight any attempt to turn these programs over to Wall Street and privatize them."

David Alameel: Vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare

He vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare and will fight any attempt by Washington politicians like John Cornyn to turn these programs over to Wall Street and privatize them.

Ted Cruz: Raise retirement age; cap increases to inflation rate

A: On Social Security, I am campaigning on a series of very specific reforms. For seniors receiving Social Security or near Social Security, there should be no changes in benefits whatsoever. For younger workers, we need to do three fundamental reforms.

1. Gradually increase the retirement age.
2. Social Security benefits right now grow about 1% greater than inflation; we should have those benefits grow at the rate of inflation, not 1% more.
3. Third change that I think is absolutely critical is to allow taxpayers to have a portion of the Social Security funds go to a personal account that they own and control. Source: Texas Tribune Interview in 2012 AARP Senate Voter Guide Aug 24, 2012

   Jon Roland: Eliminate social security as unconstitutional

   Roland supports the following principles regarding Social Security Issues:
   • Decrease benefits paid to retirees.
   • Roland adds, “Eliminate social security as unconstitutional.”
   Source: Texas Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test May 2, 2008

   Ron Paul: Federal government won’t keep its entitlement promises

   When it comes to Social Security and Medicare, the federal government simply won’t be able to keep its promises in the future. That is the reality every American should get used to, despite the grand promises of Washington reformers. Our entitlement system can’t be reformed--it’s too late. And the Medicare prescription drug bill is the final nail in the coffin--costing at least $1 trillion in the first decade alone, and much more in following decades as the American population grows older.

   Don’t believe for a second that we can grow our way out of the problem through a prosperous economy that yields higher future tax revenues. To close the long-term entitlement gap, the US economy would have to grow by double digits every year for the next 75 years.

   The answer to these critical financial realities is simple, but not easy: We must rethink the very role of government in our society. Anything less, any tinkering or “reform,” won’t cut it.

   Source: Weekly column, “Texas Straight Talk” Mar 5, 2007

   Barbara Radnofsky: Privatization is a terrible idea

   Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

   JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives.

   RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize, and everybody knows that. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

   HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud. We owe it to our younger people to make sure that Social Security is there, and safe and solid for them. That means we need to reform Social Security now, because it will be much easier, and the longer we wait, the harder it will get.

   Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX (X-ref Hutch) Oct 19, 2006

   Kay Bailey Hutchison: Reform Social Security now, while it’s still easy

   Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

   JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives.

   RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize, and everybody knows that. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

   HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud. We owe it to our younger people to make sure that Social Security is there, and safe and solid for them. That means we need to reform Social Security now, because it will be much easier, and the longer we wait, the harder it will get.

   Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX Oct 19, 2006

   Scott Jameson: Replace entitlements with market alternatives

   Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

   JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. Last year they brought in $800 billion in Social Security taxes, and they paid out $500 billion. The other $300 billion disappeared. That kind of misappropriation of funds is why we’re told it’s going bankrupt. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives. The average Texan makes $40,000. If they invested their money in the market at 4.8%, they would be able to retire with $6,600 a month instead of $1,100 a month.

   RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

   HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud.

   Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX Oct 19, 2006

   The above quotations are from State of Texas Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
   2016 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
   	Republicans: Gov.Jeb Bush(FL) Dr.Ben Carson(MD) Gov.Chris Christie(NJ) Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA) Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC) Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR) Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) Gov.Sarah Palin(AK) Gov.George Pataki(NY) Sen.Rand Paul(KY) Gov.Rick Perry(TX) Sen.Rob Portman(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) Sen.Rick Santorum(PA) Donald Trump(NY) Gov.Scott Walker(WI)	Democrats: Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI) Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) V.P.Joe Biden(DE) Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA) Sen.Jim Webb(VA) 2016 Third Party Candidates: Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM) Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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   Page last updated: Feb 13, 2018