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Democrat House Members Say Social Security Has
Changed Strategy to Match Bush Agenda
Feb. 28, 2005 A group of Democrat House members,
led by the partys House leader Nancy Pelosi, released a report today
that they say shows how the Social Security Administration has modified
its communications strategy to undermine public confidence in Social
Security.
An example they presented was "The Future of Social
Security" booklet -- which used to begin: "Will Social Security be there
for you? Absolutely." It now begins: "Social Security must change."
The report, based on a review of over 4,000 pages
of Social Security documents from 1995 to 2005, reveals that the agency
has systematically altered agency publications, press releases,
PowerPoint presentations, website content, and even its annual
statements to foster the impression that Social Security is
"unsustainable" and "must change," they say in a news release.
The agency's new pessimistic tone and emphasis echo
President Bush's warnings about the future of Social Security, it added.
Among those making the presentation were Reps.
Henry A. Waxman, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Rep. Sander M. Levin,
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.
"The job of the Social Security Administration is
to run the Social Security program, not to provide political cover for
President Bush," said Rep. Waxman. "The agency has sacrificed its
independence and abandoned its tradition of nonpartisan administration
of Social Security."
"This blatant change in message and tactics is
shameless politicization," said Rep. Levin. "The Bush Administration
must stop using the SSA as it tries to scare up support for privatizing
Social Security. The agency must reassert its independence and promote
its goal - professional, nonpartisan administration of the Social
Security programs."
The report provides detailed, side-by-side examples of the changes in
Social Security Administration documents during the Bush Administration.
These changes include:
-- Agency press releases on the solvency of Social
Security have grown more dire even as the projections of the program's
long-term solvency have improved.
-- Agency presentations have eliminated statements
that assure beneficiaries that "there is no immediate financial crisis."
-- The annual Social Security statement sent to
Americans has dropped the assurance that Social Security will "be there
when you retire" and no longer encourages Americans to think of Social
Security as a "foundation on which to build your financial future."
The complete report is available at
http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov.
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