Statement of Congressman Sanders regarding: Social Security

Statement of Congressman Sanders regarding: Social Security
02/03/05

"I was disappointed that President Bush once again misled the American people on the state of Social Security. Despite President Bush's assertions, Social Security is NOT in crisis, is NOT going bankrupt and will be able to pay out every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 45 years and, with modest reforms, will be strong and solvent for decades after that. Further, the President's plan could result in cutting Social Security benefits by up to 50 percent and greatly increasing our national debt. While Social Security is not in crisis, there ARE a number of crises facing our country - and it would have been useful if the President addressed THEM.

"I wish he had spent more time providing serious solutions to the health care crisis and the fact that 45 million Americans lack health insurance. The United States remains the only country in the industrialized world which does not guarantee health care for all, and it would been nice for the President to have told us how we could reach universal coverage. It would also have been useful for his to explain why Americans are forced to pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs.

"We are losing millions of decent paying jobs through outsourcing to China and other low wage countries, and now have a record breaking trade deficit of over $600 billion. I didn't hear the President say one word about outsourcing and reforming our trade policies and how we're going to create decent paying jobs in this country.

"Finally, while the President did talk about Iraq and appropriately honored those soldiers who have died there, he did not discuss the fact that the Veterans Administration is grossly under-funded and that veterans throughout the country are on waiting lines and benefits they were promised."

http://bernie.house.gov/statements/20050203174716.asp