Perry: Let states decide Social SecurityTexas Governor Rick Perry says the idea of letting states opt out of Social Security is worthy of discussion, but why does he feel cornered by Eliot? Here's a transcript of the exchange: Rick Perry: Let’s talk about it, but let’s not put it over there and say, “we can’t talk about that—that’s the third rail of politics”. I don’t believe that that’s wise and thoughtful. RP: Ten years ES: A decade now, you’ve run social welfare programs, saying, “let’s make it part of the discussion” is fine, but begs for the follow up: are you for it. You’ve studied this question. You have a book here complaining about government obligations. RP: I’m for having, I’m for pushing… ES: Yes or no, do you want to raise the retirement age? RP: I’m on with two very bright, capable commentators having this discussion with the American people. I don’t put in that book “Fed Up” that I have all the answers, but I think we ought to have this conversation… ES: But you’ve got to have an answer. I don’t expect anybody to have all the answers, but you’ve got to have an answer. So, having a conversation isn’t an answer. Having a conversation is a political punt. What is the answer? What is the answer? Will you raise the retirement age or not? Kathleen Parker: I have no control over him. RP: Well, I’m not going to be the President of the United States, but I’m going to be engaged in… ES: No, but you’ve been the governor for ten years and you’ve written a book harshly criticizing… RP: Well, last time I checked… ES: Harshly critical of federal policies… RP: Here’s what I think would be a very wise thing. In 1981, Matagorda, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties all opted out of the Social Security program for their employees. Today, their program is very, very well-funded and there is no question about whether it’s going to be funded in the out years. It’s there. That’s an option out there. ES: So, you want to let people opt out? ES: So the states will let people opt out of Social Security. RP: They should, I think it’s a discussion… ES: I haven’t seen anybody propose that before because that’s going to be… RP: Well, we just laid that on the table so let’s talk about it. ES: OK, so that’s your plan? RP: That’s not my plan, Eliot. ES: But, governor, I’m trying to get you, look, you’ve written a book… RP: I know, you’re trying to get me in a corner and I don’t corner very good. What I’m trying to do is have a discussion with the people of this country on an issue… KP: I think that’s a brand-new idea. Nobody has said that before. ES: That’s because it doesn’t work. RP: That nobody, nobody is willing to talk about. ES: No, no, here is the problem I have, the Tea Party, and we’ve had everybody from Dick Armey to Richard Viguerie, folks who have been leading this movement, dodging and dancing, unable to give a single answer about what they actually support. Having a conversation is to push it someplace else. RP: Right. ES: I want to know if there’s an answer. Will you: raise the retirement age? Are you saying you want private accounts? You can say it, we’ll disagree, but at least it’s an answer. RP: Sure. ES: OK. So. RP: I think all of those are legitimate options out there, but let the states decide. Don’t force us from Washington, DC to say, “here is the size of tube socks that you’re gonna wear down in Texas. Put ‘em on.” |
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This one best shows going on!
It has thoughtful, articulate, and rational discussions on important issues! Very unlike the screaming, nastiness, and unintelligent talk on other shows (especially on FOX).
I am especially impressed by SPITZER and his ability to articulate his view points! SPITZER is one of the few politicians/leaders left who has bright ideas, knows his stuff, and can express it in a thougtful and convincing manner!
We need people like Spitzer to run this country! I'D VOTE FOR HIM FOR PRESIDENT ANYDAY!
Agree Politicians finally meet their Match
Right on shree!
RAISE THE CAPS on Soc Security. ITS THAT EASY.
NO politician or talking-head host wants to SAY IT. ....they'll attack the benefits first. They won't attack the PENTAGON first either...when we have the military of all the world combined.
So let me repeat it a few times so it gets into people's heads. RAISE THE CAPS RAISE THE CAPS
RAISE THE CAPS RAISE THE CAPS
The State of Alaska opted out of Social Security in the early '80s and our retirement accounts have flourished. We pay into a Supplemental Benefit program (equal to the SS %), matched by the state and managed by us as individuals. Done quite well now in my retirement years.
Possibly Alaska has opted out of SS for its state and/or local government workers. It could not opt private workers out of SS.
According to the information at the link below, one in eleven Alaska residents receives Social Security.
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/ss_facts_05_ak.pdf
Ask him about our educational system. It is very unfortunate but compared to the rest of the country people in our state, are under educated. He has done absolutely nothing for the average Texan.. Rick Perry is the most crooked politician I have ever seen in my life. He is a GWB clone. He bought the office long ago. He takes money from every large corporation you can imagine and the public interest is simply not taken care of.
The first program that he should cut is the $10,000 per month in rent that we Texans pay for his mansion.
Right on questions Spitzer! Now that the Gov of TX says we should have let all the banks fail /all the car companies fail and go into bankruptcy. Ask him: WHAT WOULD THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BE NOW!!!
Please, the Republicans...give me a break!
?
am I hearing right?
1. Tax payers paying for 25% uninsured
2. The government should stop spending money they don't have
Now how is that possible ?? LOL isn't paying for that 25% causing the government to spend??
I guess they're enjoying over charging the Government... I think we need Sanjay Gupta to investigate..
Great show. Spitzer is an excellent talk show host. It is so refreshing to watch individuals with different opinions dialogue in an intelligent manner. Nice that that people are not talking over one another. Spitzer has another fan here.(a 70 year old.)
I'm watching Rick Perry repeat the same old, same old story about how the federal government should let the individual states decide how to manage on their own.
I think it's time to put this to the test and let Texas be the first state to manage itself according to the Republican ideology–if and when this works out, their success story can be rolled-out to other states. If it doesn't –we will learn what works and what doesn't. Let's try–what have we got to lose.
I guess Rick Perry remembers the Alamo really and would like to have their country of Texas back. All this eagerness to take the bit in their teeth to go completely to states rights and a federal government that doesn't even have control of banking and can't raise any money for national concerns... and each state runs things for itself... When things are going well, it sounds like a good deal for Texas certainly. When things are going a little tough, like for Michigan , social programs and shoring up the car industry (GM is buying back their business for goodness sake), then they have a different viewpoint. People want jobs and for the country to get its groove back, not a complete dismantling of everything we have out of Washington.
I love the show I think Spitzer is so smart and Parker is smart also I hope you stay on forever.Keep up the good work. i love you both.
Perry's kids have been brain washed.
It might the best state for corperations but not healthy for the worker.
corporations.....
Elliott was fantastic grilling Perry of Texas. He sure complains about a lot but has no answers to offer. What are those people in Texas thinking voting for him.
Cathy,
Do you live in Texas? NO, of course not! Rick Perry is all about smaller government and securing our borders. He ran against Bill White a liberal democrat that ran Houston (our largest city in Texas) into the dump. He supports sanctuary city policies and made money on hurricane Catrina. Given the two choices most of us Texan's had a pretty easy decision in front of us.
I just watched Spitzer question Perry hard. Good work. These guys have to be pinned down. Keep it up. Do not let them get on with their catchphrases and conclusory statements. Take them apart.
Best Regards Tom Johnson Middle Cove, Newfoundland, Canada
thank you Eliot for bringing up the coverage if the uninsured by the tax payers as it is already! That's why we need to have new health care reform... and at least trying to put another lame politician on the spot to name the cuts...gosh the guy wrote a book about what is wrong, and had not one coherent idea of what and how to cut....and people elect them so they can have a discussion? we can start by cutting their salaries and back door deals for utter nonsense they say
WOW! Elitot, I don't know much about you but God Bless you for holding that Texas governor's feet to the fire! You were'nt trying to corner him you were trying to get a straight answer and anyone with two eyes should be able to see that clearly. You did it and THAT's precisely the kind of questioning we need. Trust me, Americans are confused and quite frankly we don't know what the heck these politicians are talking about. So, the ones who talk in sound-bites and metaphors seem to be most popular. THANK YOU for making that guy qualify his statements and back it up with examples. OMG - someone on a news show who will actually press for an answer and not be outtalked and outwitted by fast-talker. Please keep it up so we know the real person behind the politician in the next election!
Do your homework. The next time a politician talks about social security and the retirement age, ask what they'd do about the disability program and the survivor's program. Do you know how many families are helped when the breadwinner in the family becomes disabled or dies? If the states control the program–what happens if you have to leave that state?? It's nice that Texas happens to be a wealthy state with lots of oil income, but what about the rest of the states that were not blessed with so many natural resources. Are we a loosely knit coalition of states or are we the UNITED States of America.
Right! You make an excellent point. The UNITED states of America. The federal govt has an important role and it should not be diminished or dismissed. When politicians talk about "the states" I get really nervous about what their real intentions are.
PS: I'm sharing this clip with all my friends on Facebook because all of them will be as excited as I am about that segment. I love Keith Olbermann but I might have to tune in to you show more often! Keep up the good work!
This is the best program on TV! Since the Gov of Texas wants the states to run all programs what would happen if one state wanted the retirement age fot Social Security to be 70 and another state wanted it to be 67 and another state wanted it to be 69! What a mess that would be. No way would it work! This Gov coultn't say on how he would change anything!!!!
I think you missed hs point entirely. He wants to do away with social security as it will soon be bankrupt. Spitzer posed the question and Perry said he didn't know what the right answer would be in the way the question was asked. Perry was never asked what he would do about social security-he only had a few minutes on air and reforming it would take years of planning to fix this horrible system of robbery.
Each state running their own social security? with different ages? I guess that would mean you could never move or that your 'kitty' would have to be delivered over to where you move to? And would we all be migrating around to find the best deal? And if states opted to 'invest' the money and others didn't and investments didn't pay when you needed them, what would happen in those states? Soup kitchens? Just keep working till you drop over, we can't afford it at the moment...
Loved the show tonight (11/4). Spitzer was spot on in interviewing Rick Perry. First of all, thank you for being a tough interviewer. Second, thank you for not backing away from Perry and forcing his hand in answering (not avoiding) the questions. This is the way all of CNN reporting should be. So thanks for setting an example of great programming and for showing the people of this country what the governor of My State is really like.
Rick shows he's an Aggie one more time. It was during the Taft Administration that a Federal income tax was passed and was not completely ratified by enough states until during Wilson's Administration. Texas was the ninth state to ratify. It WAS fun to watch him get irritated when he was asked questions. Perry is not accustomed to questions. He would not debate his opponent or meet with editorial boards during the election. But his hair looked good!
Enjoyed the show. First time I have watched it.
This was my first time watching and WOW did Spitzer do a number on the Gov of Texas.Keep up the great show!
What world is Texas in where theres people working without any social security that just dont make sense at all......
I really enjoy the direction of the show. Meaningful discussions, hard nosed questions and the tenacity to hold the guest to an answer. Spitzer is intelligent and articulate. Parker is pretty. Governor Perry appears to be a question dodging, disingenuous person (first impression, never heard him before). I would never vote for anyone who's only recourse is to identify problems but never be a part of truly solving them.
What a good job u all did on the interview with Perry he couldnt really give good answers to the excellent questions. At hand Im a Republican but Im not impressed at the negative air that we are giving off...
Well, the same thing happened on Parker Spitzer that happens every day here in Texas - failing to get an answer from Perry. I shake my head in disgust and disbelief that the "great state of Texas" voted for him...again. Perry has not really helped out the people of Texas (well, unless you call his "good ol' boys" the people of Texas. Sighs...four more years of this idiot...
I believe Parker Spitzer is a very informative and stimulating show. I especially like the compatibility of the two hosts and their nightly guests. This is not only my favorite CNN program but also one of my favorite overall shows. Nice!
It's sad that this is what qualifies as political insight in this country.
"Don’t force us from Washington, DC to say, 'here is the size of tube socks that you’re gonna wear down in Texas. Put ‘em on.'"
Really?
I hope the governor will remember to return to Texas in time to discuss the forthcoming budget deficit which has gone from $18 to $24 billion dollars. I'm sure the rest of the country will love to hear how his new ghostwritten book tackles such obstacles in governance.
Good job Eliot and Kathleen. I have watched a lot of the interviews and the majority of the politicians don't have a answer for solving the economy. Politicians are making me ill to my stomach. They couldn't give a straight honest answer if they tried. Gov. Perry is just a carbon copy of all politicians, all mouth and no solutions. I wouldn't trust any of the politicians to take the money and use it correctly. They would steal the funds or waste the money and come back to Washington for more. I would love to see Michelle Bachman on the show. She is so far out that she has passed Mars.
Here he goes again... I am just surprised that Perry didn't mention the state of Texas should secede form the US again.
I am embarrassed to be a Texan..
When we are talking about what should be the cut of choice, and experts talk over upping the age of SSN retirement to 70, I'm wondering about awareness that retirement ages are already extended upwards, for example my retirement is at 66 and it goes up to 72 for many working Americans ALREADY. In these discussions of potential savings and that we have to bite the bullet like France, etc., I'm wondering what tables people are using to make those statements from? Also an actuarial or two would come in handy to discuss any proposal like this because we've already tapped this idea a lot. Not to mention the error in factoring in the SSN kitty to help balance the budget. It shouldn't really be considered because it is money that is used rather realtime to pay those collecting... this has been an budget shuffle for years that Congress plays games with. And when we talk about people being able to invest their own money in SSN in future... the system wasn't meant to be a savings account ever... in makes payments to those collecting and if you make poor investments this would make the kitty used for this very hard to predict as to what will be there into the future. Instead of raping and discarding the SSN treasure that we have, to me defense is the obvious trillion dollar gorilla in the room that needs to be trimmed and pretty toot suite. We can't endure decade-long adventures like Afghanistan without completely destroying our treasury, our future... that's the bare truth.
did i hear him say a DECADE ago when woodrow wilson was..............
um, i would say that ten years ago, woodrow wilson was dead
it's funny, i'm disabled, and i can count on social security so that i can live. talk of changing it, or giving it to the states is a bit frightening.
i was a teacher. my taxes help pay for education. twenty years from now, when i am a septagenarian, i do not want stupid, uneducated people telling me what to do. i think i'd rather be dead.
and i'm curious, throughout the bible and all of man's history, people gave to the leaders of the country being ruled. we gave food, we gave animals, fur, whatever, to the rulers. if the rulers the people had were good, times were good. if the rulers of the time were bad, life pretty much sucked unless you were part of the inner circle. i believe we call these rulers "dicatators" today.
taxes are mentioned in the bible. if we, as a nation, do not collect income taxes, what will the rulers collect to help keep the country going? our founding fathers did not have income tax, they taxed everything people used to collect income to keep the country going. wasn't the rally cry of the day, the spirit that gave us independence "no taxation without representation? and this man wants to go back to those days? i can see it now........
the republican tea party government needs money. hey! people drink a lot of coffee, if we put a tax on coffee, we can generate more income. oh yes, how about vacations, people like going on vacations, let's tax going on vacation, you have to get permission from us to go, and what about children, lot's of people have children, let's tax them to, want a child? pay a tax.
shudder
Finally, someone holding people to facts, and reality, rather than just talking points. Smaller government – what are you talking about (typically, no response). Budget cuts – where (typically, no response)?
Texas may have no income tax, but when you add in real estate, sales, etc. – Texans pay, overall, a higher percentage of their income than many other states. And when you retire, and have no income, those property taxes just keep on going.
And the point on who pays for uninsured patients – Spitzer was totally correct that if the Feds don't help, someone else picks up the bill. Perry tried to pretend that Texas taxpayers don't pay for it. Tube socks – what an embarrassing analogy comparing false equivalencies. Of course, when an agency gives another money, controls have to put on it or Perry will use it to travel to who knows where?
Ignorance of the facts is not an excuse – thank you Parker/Spitzer for bringing intelligent thought, and questions, to the table.
As a former resident of N.Y.C. ('74 to '77) and N.Y. state ('62 to '73) I find Spitzer's manner and approach to his "where do you make the cuts" survey both grating and embarrassing. He is now coming off as a former governor who himself must have been overmatched by his own question (back when he should have been making budget cuts). SUGGESTION: Begin the query with "As the state executive, the toughest cuts I had to make ..." or, "... the toughest cuts I was considering were..." ; this would keep you from looking the superior intellectual who is, in fact, clueless, as to the answer to your own question. {Did Mr. Spitzer ever teach?}
All the politicians want to have "conversations", they do not want to carry the torch for their own ideas, or even vote on their own instead of
following the party line. I want leaders in our country, people with an articulate visions, that can clearly communicate their ideas, that will engage the public, and that people will want to follow. A leader gathers followers not just by their charisma and campaign finance dollars, but in their ability to get people to take up their cause and follow them. They lead in a manner that facilitates consensus building not just with their followers, but with their opposition as well. The "us and them" mentality is not only creating animosity and splitting us apart in these UNITED States, but the inertia that is resulting is not making any improvements or moving us forward. The global economy is going to pass us by if we cannot come together for our own good in a proactive way instead of a reactive way such as with 9/11. We have many brilliant minds, we have people in the trenches that are close to the work, conditions, and situations that have incredible ideas that need to be heard, and we have the obligation and responsibility to not only seek out, but to put all the proposed innovation on the table for consideration and discussion, regardless of political ideation. A leader has both the skills and the courage to lead, and the integrity and honor to do it openly, honestly, and with the vision as a focus – not the poll results, fear of the next election results, and by standing firmly above the spin from media pundits. We need authentic, courageous, innovative, open-minded, collaborative, resourceful, and humble leaders – people WILL follow them.
As a resident of Texas, I could have not been more embarrassed last night by Governor Good Hair, Rick Perry. He was unable to answer any question asked of him and when he did, he sounded like a complete idiot. Thank you Mr. Spitzer for holding Mr. Perry’s feet to the fire with your questions. I guess the stock answer when you have no idea what you’re talking about is to say, “Let’s have a discussion and let the people decide.” Get off the fence Governor and HAVE A PLAN! That is YOUR JOB!!
First & farmost this is not the type of person I want to represent this State I cant believe he made another term I believe this system is rigged.. This man has yet to do anything for Texas we hardly ever see this man we have issues with the border he says or do nothing ..What is really going on !!!!!
Good job on the Rick Perry, the man trying to sweep a possible $25-billion dollar deficit under the rug until after the elections and his book tour. Candy Crowley also did an excellent job on her Sunday show.
Can we get a replay of the entire interview? Specifically, I would like to review Gov. Perry's response to Mr. Spitzer's question about the 25% uninsurance rate in Texas. It seemed that Perry finally dismissed the question by saying, "Texans don't have a problem with it," or something similar. Please provide a transcript or the entire video. Thanks for the very illuminating interview.
This was a fantastic show. Everybody in the United States should watch the whole thing. The doublespeak from Governor Perry is appalling. It frightens me that people like this are trying to take control of this country.
Thank you CNN and thank you Eliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker.
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