I have posted a couple of times (see here and here) on the issue of the RNC attempting to pressure Indiana media outlets into not carrying ads from MoveOn.org opposing Bush on Social Security because of alleged inaccuracies. Aside from the First Amendment implications, there is the matter of a double standard. These stations are carrying assertions from George Bush that are inaccurate with no threat of losing their license. In fact, a media blackout of the President would probably be something that would get their license reviewed very closely by the FCC. I just came across more innaccuracies by Bush.
The money — payroll taxes going into the Social Security are spent. They’re spent on benefits and they’re spent on government programs. There is no trust.
Now compare the Greenspan Commission’s view on the matter:
The National Commission believes that the investment procedures followed by the trust funds in the past generally have been proper and appropriate. The monies available have generally been invested appropriately in Government obligations at interest rates which are equitable to both the trust funds and the General Fund of the Treasury and have not — as is sometimes alleged — been spent for other purposes outside of the Social Security program.
The trick here is that, for Bush’s statement to be accurate, it would have to mean that the Treasury is going to default on the Treasury Bills into which Social Security funds have been invested. And, if the Treasury is going to start defaulting on its obligations, we have much bigger problems than Social Security. Now, my guess is that the RNC does not want media outlets to start vetting Bush’s statements for accuracy before agreeing to transmit them. If they’re not going to vet Bush’s statements then they should not have to vet contrary political viewpoints for accuracy either. If need be, maybe George Bush can hold a press conference to explain why MoveOn.org’s figures are innaccurate. Debate and democracy. Isn’t America great?
Leave a Reply