Rep Lee Terry (R-Ne) says * won't win Social Security

[paineinthearse]

Another chink in the armor.

Excerpt: "If I were an adviser, I'd tell the president to quit talking principles and present a plan. Get a specific plan and start advocating it."

========================================================

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/03/29/local/doc4249d82236356411323317.txt

Terry says Bush won't win Social Security

BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

President Bush's proposal to revise Social Security to authorize personal investment accounts isn't likely to gain congressional approval, Republican Rep. Lee Terry said. "I don't see the votes there," the four-term congressman and dean of Nebraska's House delegation said in a Lincoln interview this week. More likely is "a little tweaking of Social Security to extend its (fiscally stable) life another 10 or 15 years," Terry said. Most constituents tell him they have questions about the president's plan rather than oppose or support it, Terry said. "If I were an adviser, I'd tell the president to quit talking principles and present a plan. Get a specific plan and start advocating it."

Terry said he supports personal accounts. Under Bush's proposal, workers under 55 would have the option of investing a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes in a personal investment account. Retirees or workers nearing retirement age would be covered by the current Social Security plan. If Bush is unable to win approval of personal accounts after investing so much time and effort in promoting the idea, "it will always dog him," Terry said. "It may define his second term."

Terry, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has focused his efforts on development of a comprehensive energy plan. "It's the most important issue for the future of our country," he said. "I am frustrated we have not been able to get it passed. For four years, I have been obsessed with this issue." Bush was unable to win approval of an energy plan during his first term.
In the long haul, the United States needs to develop alternative energy sources and technology to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Terry said.

High on his list is hydrogen-fuel cells to power automobiles. But short-term needs require increased energy production and supply that reduce dependence on foreign oil, Terry said. That means opening up a designated piece of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas exploration, he said. And it means authorization for increased importation of liquefied natural gas, as he has proposed in legislation. "We can't produce enough natural gas in the United States," Terry said. "We've got to top it off."

more........


Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at [e-mail].

[TwilightZone]

1. I'm somewhat surprised.

Terry is usually a pretty consistent mouthpiece for Bush.

[norml]

2. Great, I'll have to be ready to comment on the radio about it.

KFAB in Omaha has an 800 number. 1-800-543-1110 They've a local call in show starting at 2 pm.

[paineinthearse]

3. Is it streamed?

Mention there is a right-wing commercial running now, showing a stopwatch. It poses a question: name the specific SS changes the national democrats have proposed.

I'm still holding my breath to read *'s resolution as introduced in committee.

Ask on the radio what the *-sponsored resolution is so we can read it in Thomas.

[norml]

5. It can be listened to online, but the topic hasn't come up.

They're on Schiavo now. I might say something about that. I might be leaving soon to go swimming. It's my day off, and I'm wanting to spend some time getting some exercise.

[Nikki Stone 1]

4. Maybe it's a sign that the WH is backing off

SS "reform" is more unpopular than they thought, perhaps.