Blog: Join Me in Taking Up Paul Ryan's Challenge!

Statement

Last week, former House majority leader Dick Armey challenged Republicans to take up the ideas put forward by Paul Ryan (R-WI). "We have watched American public policy dominated by Democrats that don't care and Republicans that don't dare," he noted.

I am proud to be the first Republican to take up that challenge. On Wednesday, I will welcome Mr. Ryan to Chicago at a special luncheon at the Four Seasons from 12-2 pm.

My opponent and her husband, convicted felon Robert Creamer, have led the effort to demonize Mr. Ryan's ideas.

Mr. Creamer recently wrote: "Congressman Paul Ryan and his friends have handed us a silver bullet… They actually say out loud that: 1. Republicans want to cut benefits and privatize Social Security. 2. Republicans want to abolish Medicare and replace it with vouchers for private insurance."

These are lies.

If you actually read Mr. Ryan's "Roadmap for America's Future," you will discover that it does not call for cutting Social Security benefits. In fact, it calls for increasing those benefits for low-income Americans. And it does not call for "privatizing" Social Security, but allowing individuals to invest a portion of their payroll taxes into government-run or government-approved retirement funds--just like members of Congress can do today.

There is nothing in the Roadmap about abolishing Medicare. In fact, the do-nothing option that Jan Schakowsky and Robert Creamer favor will bankrupt the system over time. The plan does not call for replacing Medicare with "vouchers," but for a payment that rises for people with lower incomes and greater health needs, which beneficiaries for government-certified OR private plans. The goal is to save Medicare, not abolish it!

Ms. Schakowsky and Mr. Creamer are at the core of the problem in Washington today. They would rather demonize new ideas than discuss them. I welcome the attacks they have in store for Mr. Ryan. I will not shrink from the challenge, and the responsibility to offer the people of the 9th district a real alternative to failed policies and corrupt politics.

I'm joining the debate Mr. Ryan has started. Join us both in Chicago on September 1st!

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