Alan Simpson, former US Senator from Wyoming and current Co-Chair of the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, has crossed the line. We're all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. And when he didn't like the facts, he took to personal insults and profanity. Check out his outrageous email to Ashley Carson, Executive Director of the Older Women's League, in response to her blog post from April.
Mr. Simpson dismisses the voice of advocates, stating that, "people like [OWL] babble into the vapors about 'disgusting attempts at ageism and sexism' and all the rest of that crap." This is at best inappropriate and lays bare his contempt for those who dare speak truth to power and protect those among us who are least able to advocate for themselves against the likes of Mr. Simpson. And apparently being disgusted by ageism and sexism is not worth his time. I guess it's ok to discriminate when you're a wealthy ex-senator.
Further, Mr. Simpson seems not to understand what Social Security is or how it if funded, claiming that "people on Social Security...milk it to the last degree." The fact is that Social Security is only paying out to beneficiaries money they invested in the program. It's not a lottery winning or a gift - any more than the bank giving you back what you've deposited in your savings account is a gift. If he is referring to Americans who receive disability payments, or children who receive survivor benefits, perhaps he is simply out of touch with the realities of those less fortunate than he has been. Apparently Mr. Simpson thinks American workers do not deserve to get back the money they paid in, or that they are less deserving of having their bonds paid than China, which also holds billions of dollars in US Treasury bonds. (That's right, when they talk about cutting the deficit by cutting Social Security, they're talking about defaulting on the bonds Social Security holds. Don't worry, they'll pay China - but it's ok to short American workers?)
But the greatest problem that Mr. Simpson demonstrates in this ranting email is his disrespect for women, along with a complete disdain for all government programs that help anyone, which is in line with his numerous statements decrying "entitlement" programs: "It's the same with any system in America. We've reached a point now where it's like a milk cow with 310 million tits!" (You, like me, may be wondering if this is really him - we checked his email and even called his assistant's phone - unless someone has hacked into his email, msnbc's website, and his assistant's phone, this is legit. But it's not out of character - check out this video from earlier this summer.) Such disrespect and vulgarity are characteristics not of a rational, bipartisan leader, but of a ranting ideologue bent on destroying a program that keeps millions of older American out of poverty.
Finally, my outrage turns to disgust at the suggestions that working on behalf of low-income older women is somehow not "honest work!" With people like Mr. Simpson, who is so clearly dedicated to undermining the social fabric of our country, co-chairing a commission that is intended to take a serious look at our nation's deficit woes, and suggesting that advocating for those who will be most harmed by the cuts he promotes is somehow dishonest or deceitful, he shows his true colors. Mr. Simpson is hamstrung by his own biases and prejudices, and unwilling to engage in a positive discussion with those who oppose his dogma. These are not the actions of a leader.
OWL sent a letter, along with a copy of Mr. Simpson's email, of course, to President Obama, demanding the resignation (or removal - we're flexible) of Alan Simpson from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. We've also started an online petition, and joined with the National Council of Women's organizations to demand a better choice from the President. Call it a Women's Equality Day present - it's this Thursday, August 26. Mr. Simpson's sort of elitist, sexist, ageist and disrespectful thinking have no place in the serious conversations in Washington that affect us on Main Street. Don't let Alan Simpson steal your retirement. At the rate we're going, we're going to need every penny.
Get involved. Sign the petition. Call the White House and tell them what you think: 202-456-1111. Go to www.SocialSecurityMatters.org and find out how to get the information out. Don't Agonize, Organize!
"Stop yapping your lips and listen good. This commission might be packed with millionaires, but we're looking out for little people who need Social Security."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/alan_simpson_social_security_n_693277.html
Or is it that facts do not matter?
He was spinning like a top for about three straight days.
He tries to go for that no-nonsense, "down-home" mid-West persona, but he's simply a nasty, demented little man with a vicious mean streak, which is being exposed more and more.
And gets to keep his job because heaven forbid this administration would have the effrontery to admonish, fire, or question a Republican.
"We’ve reached a point now where it’s like a milk cow with 310 million tits! Call when you get honest work!"
The population of the U.S. is 310,085,000. By his 'facts', only 85,000 people are not on S.S.-would the wealthy Mr. Simpson be one who is currently benefiting from S.S.? If so, he should start his cuts right there.
Simpson attacked OWL with his abusive rhetoric, showing no fear in saying anything he wanted-his apology rings very false. He will dictate changes to the President-you can depend on it.
This man needs to go away and get a job where his attitude will not be a problem for others-ever.
www.latinonationreport.com
You were elected by an overwhelming margin of American voters. Prior to that, those same American voters gave their votes to a Democrat majority in both houses of our nation's congress. In spite of this, you insist upon ignoring the will of the people and look to those who hate you, and us, for your counsil. This includes many in our own party, and some of your selected staff of advisors.
After tolorating this for almost two years, as a progressive Independent who voted for you, I have to join in the growing number who would look forward to seeing a primary challenge to your candidacy in 2012. If Democrats and progressives can not be represented by the current office holders then we owe it to America to attempt to improve that situation. Democracy is not about parties. It is about issues and ideology. Obviously, you do not share mine, or perhaps that of the majority of voters who believed what you said and implied in the campaign that gained you both the candidacy and the victory you now choose to govern away from.
It is only since 1980, and more so since 2000, that the defining platform of the Democrat party has been reviled as extreme, while the "mainstream" thinking of the GOPers is touted as "American". This is the usual reaction of a nation at war, and the reason the GOP is anxious to keep an ongoing war perpetually ginning up "patriotism" where any common sense questioning of our goals and methods is proclaimed anti-American. We just experienced almost three decades of disconnect from the rest of the world and our numerous misconceptions of anything "European" show how badly it has hurt us.
History shows us only too clearly what the culmination of radical nationalism and fear can turn into. We should take the first opportunity to establish a "truth" commission so that we have some body to remind us when we stray from what should be the common ground between the parties. We will never achieve agreement on "how" if we can't agree on "what".
I'm hoping the nation will produce a strong progressive challenger in 2012. A challenger who will represent the people for a change.
So he figures to give the GOP the biggest New Deal prize of all; the most sucessful social program in US history, for them to dismantle, Social Security.
Other than a kneejerk and unconvincing urge to blurt constantly about government and find something to gripe about it is hard to see why Republicans don't like Social Security. Heck, most of them are on it.