Rep. Sanchez Hosts Social Security Forum
Rep. Sanchez Hosts Social Security Forum
Garden Grove Residents Learn About the President's Proposed Changes
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -Today, Rep. Loretta Sanchez hosted a town hall for over 50 Garden Grove residents regarding President Bush's proposed changes to Social Security. Sanchez joined AARP representatives Keith Bauer (District 4 Regional Mobilizer), David Vill (Garden Grove Chapter Vice President) and Jacqueline Lauder (Member, CSU Fullerton Women's Studies Program) for a panel discussion on the issue.
With national polls showing 2/3 of Americans disapprove of the President's performance on Social Security and public support declining for his plan to allow younger workers to put a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes into the stock market, Sanchez used the forum to help educate local seniors on the realities of the proposal.
"There are two issues to address in this debate: solvency and private savings accounts," said Sanchez. "Unfortunately, one has very little to do with the other. Personal accounts will do nothing to protect the longevity of the program besides ultimately dismantling this proven, reliable safety net for our most vulnerable. We need to come to the table, on a bipartisan basis, to discuss real options to keep Social Security viable and strong."
Bauer echoed Sanchez's concerns. "We need to convince the President to take private accounts off of the table. It's not a liberal position; it's not a conservative position. It is a common sense position."
Lauder, a member of the Women's Studies Program at Cal State Fullerton, reminded the audience that without Social Security 50 percent of women would live below the poverty level. "Because women are in and out of the work sector, they are often ineligible for company pensions and retirement plans, depending more on Social Security.
Panelists fielded questions from the audience and urged them to talk with friends and neighbors about the proposed changes and the affect they will have on them and future generations of retirees.
http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/issues2.cfm?id=10487