From Deseret News archives:
Unions warned against Social Security plan
At a town hall meeting hosted by state union leaders, union members heard warnings from activists for the rights of the disabled, advocates for senior citizens and fellow union workers that Bush's plans for Social Security could significantly hurt lower-income retirees and disabled people. They also cautioned that younger workers a core group of support for the president would be hurt by privatized Social Security because one day they could be those lower-income retirees or, in the case of a bad accident, disabled.
"Privatization would take the security out of Social Security," said LeeAnn Karlson, vice president for local 7704 of the Communications Workers of America.
Robert Ence, executive director of the Utah chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, said that the push for privatized accounts is wrong because it casts Social Security in the wrong light.
"A lot of criticism is because people equate this social insurance program with a savings plan," Ence said. "It's not, and criticizing it for that reason is like buying a car and criticizing it because it cannot fly."
"There is no crisis in Social Security," he said. "There is a problem and some cash flow issues, but it is not going broke tomorrow."
Ruby Hamell, a retired school teacher, said that the groups who benefit the most from Social Security could be the hardest hit by privatized accounts if the system loses large amounts of money in the stock market. Without the program, there would be many retirees, widows and disabled people who would not be able to afford basic living expenses.
"There are a lot of people who would be impacted greatly by privatization," she said. "Social Security is a safety net which keeps them out of poverty."
The meeting, which was attended by approximately 40 people, was the first in what union leaders, activists and Democrats hope is a series of meetings and rallies to fight the Bush plan.
E-MAIL: jloftin@desnews.com
Comments
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 2:17 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- TE George's wife delivers 2:13 a.m.
- Weather, stumble play factor 2:10 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

You can be the first to comment on this story.