MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Chris Christie, Social Security, and Fast Track

Interview

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SCHULTZ: You know, Congresswoman, there`s a lot of talk about yesteryear
and yesterday, it seems to me that what Christie is talking about, his
version of entitlement reform is the same thing the Bush`s we`re talking
about in 2000 and 2004 private accounts to privatize Social Security it
went nowhere, how is this going to go anywhere?

REP. JAN SCHAKOWSKY, (D) ILLINOIS: This isn`t going to go anywhere. I am
so tired and I think the American people are too of the definition of being
a bold politician is going after senior citizens and people with
disabilities, cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.

You know what the average benefit is, $1,300 a month, really? That`s what
he wants to do to senior citizens, the same that he did to pensioners in
New Jersey. He got concessions from them and then he refuse to put money
into the pension system. Now, this guy cannot be trusted with these
programs...

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

SCHAKOWSKY: ... that are turning 80 years, the Social Security will
celebrate it`s birthday, never miss to check. You know, he has to keep his
hands off our Social Security.

SCHULTZ: You know, I don`t believe in minimum wage increases, they don`t
believe in health care, they don`t have plan for that. Now, they`re
talking about privatization of Social Security again and again.

So, Congresswoman, if there so against the populous views of the American
people should this just be a hell of a cycle for the Democrats even though
we start this thing early?

SCHAKOWSKY: I think it is going to be a great cycle. You know, I think
Americans understand and I hope they do that this country has never been
richer that it is right now. Of course, all the money is gone to the top
and people understand thus Hillary Clinton said that the decked stack
against them. And I think people are ready to hear this message because
they are living that reality...

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

SCHAKOWSKY: Oh, Chris Christie says, we got to get real and that means
cutting Social Security, forget it. That`s not where the American people
are at.

SCHULTZ: You know, Jennifer, that irony and all of this Christie bravado
(ph) that`s talking about what is going to do with Social Security and
scaring young people robbing their future.

Robbing the future of the young people but they certainly don`t want to
give the young people a future with a better minimum wage are going to $15
an hour. I mean I think the political irony here is rather startling, how
do you think young folks are going to come down on this? So they pay
attention to it.

EPPS-ADDISON: Absolutely. Look, Ed, as we speak there are thousands of
people at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee fighting in the fight for
$15, to raise wage is up to a living wage. And at the same time, our
governor, Governor Scott Walker, is planning to cut our incredibly
universities system in Wisconsin by $300 million, how in the world are you
supposed to lift yourself up out of poverty...

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

EPPS-ADDISON: ... and get an education on $7.25 an hour? It`s the wrong
way and people need to standup, join with this incredible workers who our
leading the way for country and fight for a strong middle-class and for an
economy that works for everyone in America.

SCHULTZ: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, I`m going to change subjects
quickly.

SCHAKOWSKY: Sure.

SCHULTZ: Are the votes in the house for fast-track, right now, I want your
quick take on that.

SCHAKOWSKY: I would say no. My answer is no.

I think there aren`t enough Republican or combine Democratic votes to pass
fast-track right now. No.

SCHULTZ: All right. That is, of course, coming to the 11th-hour.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Jennifer Epps-Addison, great to have you
with us tonight.

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