Walz campaign: Rochester residents oppose Davis intent to privatize social Security

Just in from the Walz campaign:

Citizens Oppose Dr. Brian Davis’ Plan to Gamble Social Security on the Stock Market

( Rochester , Minn. ) – In light of recent turmoil in the U.S. stock market, a group of Rochester citizens held a press conference today to oppose 1^st District Congressional candidate Dr. Brian Davis’ plans to gamble Social Security on the stock market.

“With the economy the way it is, the last thing I need is to have Social Security funds gambled away on the stock market,” said Genny Rice, a retiree. “I wouldn’t get by each month without Social Security. Dr. Brian Davis’ plan to privatize Social Security is wrong for seniors like me and for people who will count on Social Security in the years to come.”

Dr. Davis has routinely expressed support for some privatization of Social Security and has pledged to follow the MN Republican Party platform, which promotes privatization of Social Security for Americans of all ages.

“Because of Social Security survivor benefits, I was able to attend college,” said Karuna Ojanen. “While my mother worked, sometimes two jobs, to care for us, should she have also tracked our Social Security benefits on the stock market? Southern Minnesotans, from seniors to survivors like me, can do better than Dr. Brian Davis.”

Davis Said He Supported The Privatization Of Social Security. Davis said, “I do believe that people below a certain age should have the option to invest some of their Social Security in the private market.” [Winona Youth GOP Debate, 2/23/08, full transcription available on request]

Davis Said If You Want to Know Where He Stood on an Issue to Look at the Republican Party Platform. Davis said, “I want to reassure you that I’m a conservative platform republican I will cast those votes and I will advocate on behalf of our causes. I think our Republican Party platform in this state is great. Do you want to know where I stand; you can start with that document.” [Fillmore Co GOP Convention, full transcription available on request]

Republican Party Platform of MN (http://www.mngop.com/Roots/8a6031ab-af02-4ff7-b4375db06581aaea/Documents/2008%20RPM%20Platform.pdf)

Republican Party Platform Section 1, Letter P (Page 2): Allowing all Americans to invest some or all of their Social Security payments, continuing to fulfill our obligations to older Americans, and prohibiting Congress from using Social Security funds for any other purpose.

For more on privatization of Social Security--one of President Bush's agenda items that was pushed back by concerned citizens in 2005--readers can look to the Social Security Network, a project of the Century Project. Basics of the Social Security Reform Debate,   from 2005, is a good starting point, though there are other good sites such as this one and the archives at TPM.

Who wanted to keep up the fight to privatize? Just check out this 2006 headline from CBS Marketwatch: Paulson vows to stay on Social Security fight. Pure genius, that guy.

Photo: Henry Paulson, Brian Davis's social security soulmate.