Obstructionism at it's finest

**Texan_Til_I_Die** · 02-10-2005, 05:47 PM

by Allan H. Ryskind
Posted Feb 10, 2005

Rep. Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.) was asked at a CATO conference in Washington yesterday whether he had persuaded any Democrats to back his plan to rescue Social Security from its financial troubles. Under his legislation (HR 4851), no new taxes would be needed to pay for "transition costs," participation in the new system would be voluntary and individuals would be allowed to divert a portion of their payroll tax into a mutual fund.

A questioner from the audience, stressing his own Democratic credentials, said he believed Ryan's plan should attract members of his own party and wondered whether the Wisconsin lawmaker had secured any Democratic sponsors. Ryan said he had been working with friends on the "other side of the aisle" that were favorable toward his solution, but he faced an enormous problem: intense pressure on his colleagues from the minority leadership.

"We were in planning stages [with friendly Democrats]," said Ryan. But each essentially
told him: "I like what you're doing. I like this bill. I think it's the right way to go. But my party leadership will break my back. The retribution that they are promising us is as great as I have ever seen. We can't do it."

Ryan said he believed the only thing that can assure passage is an outpouring from America's grassroots.

**OJR** · 02-10-2005, 06:05 PM

More reasons to vote against the democrats!!!

**stevebeilgard** · 02-10-2005, 08:59 PM

arericas grassroots has spoken. they said "no thanks, democrats". at least that's what the past 2 elections said.

**slugshooter** · 02-11-2005, 08:19 AM

Do you guys think this is the first time anything like this has happened. This stuff happens on both sides of the aisle, I learned that in high school government.The party leadership for the most part tells these people how to vote on certain issues. The only reason you guys are making such a big stink about it now is because it is a Republican sponsored issue.

**Texan_Til_I_Die** · 02-11-2005, 08:48 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Do you guys think this is the first time anything like this has happened. This stuff happens on both sides of the aisle, I learned that in high school government.The party leadership for the most part tells these people how to vote on certain issues. The only reason you guys are making such a big stink about it now is because it is a Republican sponsored issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree to a certain extent. It does happen frequently, but I think the reason its such a big deal now is because of the ideology of the leadership of the Democratic party. The leaders (Pelosi, Reed, H. Clinton, Kennedy, Kerry, Dean) are all so far left that they're completely out of touch with the American people.

**wtnhunt** · 02-11-2005, 09:09 AM

Sure it happens and has happened on both side for as long as there has been two parties involved in politics. However I do also agree that it seems in my opinion in my lifetime that the democrats are not for anything that helps out people in similar situations to my family.