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Picking a Fight: Deficits and Social Security

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by Robert Millman

Update: Based on feedback from a BuzzFlash Reader, there is now a "Baby Cry" version of the Deficit "Birth Tax" ad:

Click the button to play.
To download, right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) HERE.

I’m deeply worried about the public debate over Social Security and the prospect of the Bush administration borrowing another trillion dollars to subsidize private accounts. So far the Democratic reaction is in the negative. While that is the correct reaction to more deficit spending, it still means that Democrats are reacting to a Neo-con agenda. And the political facts of life are that you frame an issue by picking a fight. You don’t frame an issue by reacting.

Like it or not, Bush and the Neo-Cons have presented an initiative to “reform” Social security and in doing so have framed the issue. It doesn’t matter whether their initiative is fraudulent or not. It is axiomatic -– If you pick a fight, you have framed an issue.

I submit that progressives and Democrats must pick a fight right now, must present an initiative to balance the budget. Picking a fight about the budget deficit frames the Bush budget for what it is, irresponsible deficit spending. That is something people in blue and red states can understand. And if people want to be responsible about Social Security, fiscal integrity is at the top of the list.

I’m tired of waiting for someone else to do something about this. Between March 14 and March 18 regular working people in New York and Florida are going to run progressive issue ads on conservative talk radio. We’re trying to call attention to the staggering deficits being written by the Bush administration, deficits that our children will have to re-pay.

here’s the link to hear the ads.

Robert Millman
Glenville, NY

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION