Citizens share views on Social Security reform
During a June 7 public forum, local citizens unanimously expressed support for action to strengthen Social Security for future generations. Following a power point summary of the history, challenges, and options facing Social Security, the 55 participants divided into nine discussion groups. Following 90-minute discussions, they completed questionnaires that included the following recommendations:
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More than a dozen other recommendations were offered by forum participants. Prior to the forum: 63 percent of the respondents indicated they were somewhat informed about Social Security; 23 percent said they were well-informed; 18 percent acknowledged that they were not very informed. As a result of the forum, 88 percent said they were better informed and 13 percent said they we about as informed as before. Sixty-eight percent said the forum helped them come to judgment about Social Security issues and choices. Ninety-eight percent said the forum presented balanced points of view and recommended that others participate in a similar forum.
Respondents were predominately male (65 percent) and white (98 percent). Fifty-eight percent were between the ages of 45-64, 23 percent were from 30-44, 18 percent were 65 or older, and 3 percent were between the ages of 18-29. Family incomes were diverse and 75 percent had a college or postgraduate degree. Fifty-five percent were registered Democrats, 33 percent were Republicans, and 10 percent were independent. The event was sponsored by the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, Community Conversations, Owensboro Human Relations Commission, Leadership Owensboro Alumni Association, and Chamber Young Professionals.
McConnell Response
In a June 10, 2005 response, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said: “I will not support any reform proposal that would reduce Social Security benefits for current retirees or those nearing retirement age.” Senator McConnell said he has not endorsed any specific reform proposal. He was not reluctant, however, to express support for private accounts: “…any reform proposal should allow younger workers to invest a portion of their payroll taxes in safe, prudent investments that earn higher rates of return than the current system.” Senator McConnell’s letter did not address the fiscal impact of any proposal or his preference as to how the federal government could or should absorb the cost of reforms.
Bunning Response
In his June 22 response, Senator Jim Bunning said, “Since being in the Senate, I have supported efforts to place Social Security in a “lock box” to ensure its protection for our seniors…Every year we delay (action), the more expensive and difficult the choices will be to make.” Bunning supports the President’s call for private accounts, but expressed concern over increasing the amount of money that is taxable under Social Security: “…(that option) could likely have a significant impact on small business owners and their ability to hire and retain employees.” Bunning serves on the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over Social Security issues.
The Public Life Advocate has not received a response from U.S. Representative Ron Lewis.
Baseball stadium ranks highest on projects survey
The May edition of the Public Life Advocate included an analysis of several proposed major community projects: a new downtown arena; Main Street renovations; baseball stadium; marina; convention center expansion-parking garage; and rec-plex-ice rink. Readers were invited to complete a Project Assessment Sheet that gauged their impression of citizen support, community appeal, impact, and funding capacity for each of the projects using 25 criteria. A score of one (disagree strongly) to five (agree strongly) could be entered for each project – for a maximum score of 125 for each project. As of June 23, we received 115 credible responses. (One person responded 77 times, but only one response was counted.)
Note: Public Life Foundation President Rodney Berry serves on the Bring Back Baseball Committee that has been promoting a new minor league baseball stadium for several years.
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