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March 04, 2005

"...I've got no strings on me.."

What do you suppose the puppets get for following the orders of the puppet master? Tell us what you think. The most creative idea wins a lifetime supply of PreemptiveKarma.com tube socks. As soon as Kevin orders them.

(via Billmon)

The Senate's top Republican said [Tuesday] that President Bush's bid to restructure Social Security may have to wait until next year . . . "In terms of whether it will be a week, a month, six months or a year, as to when we bring something to the floor, it's just too early," Frist said.
Washington Post
Social Security Vote May Be Delayed
March 2, 2005

Frist's] remark was . . . not welcomed by the Bush administration, which hopes for action before Congress heads into the midterm election year of 2006. On Thursday, Dr. Frist took the floor and declared, unequivocally: "We need to do it this year. This year. Not next year."
New York Times
Bush Denies That Private Accounts Are in Serious Trouble
March 4, 2005

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley of Iowa said today that Congress should focus on the solvency of Social Security accounts rather than the president's plan to create personal investment accounts for younger workers . . . "Maybe we ought to focus on solvency, and bring people to the table just over what do you do for solvency for the next 75 years," said Grassley in a conference call with Iowa reporters.
Des Moines Register
Grassley: Congress should focus
on Social Security solvency, not personal accounts
March 2, 2005

But later Thursday, Mr. Grassley issued a statement suggesting he was not breaking ranks with the administration, declaring, "Personal accounts are still on the table along with all the other ideas to strengthen Social Security."
New York Times
Bush Denies That Private Accounts Are in Serious Trouble
March 4, 2005

________________________________________________________________

In an unexpected blow to the administration, Rep. Jim McCrery, a Louisiana Republican, chairman of the subcommittee that handles Social Security, said . . . Bush should scrap the idea of funding the accounts with money earmarked for the Social Security trust fund.
Seattle Times
Bush offers Social Security details, but GOP doubts grow
February 4, 2005

A Louisiana congressman who expressed his doubts about President Bush's efforts to revise the Social Security program now says a meeting with White House officials has changed his mind. "Frankly, I had not thought of the policy rationale they described," U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La., said.
Tallahassee Democrat
McCrery jumps behind Bush plan
February 15, 2005

Posted by Carla at March 4, 2005 05:28 PM