2014 KS Senate debate: on Social Security


Chad Taylor: No privatization; but we need to discuss reforms

Q: What is your Social Security policy?

A: We do not support privatizing. Social Security is a commitment we have made; citizens have a right to get back their retirement investment. The federal government has a responsibility to keep this entitlement solvent.

Q: So what methods would you prefer for ensuring solvency? Raise the income cap? Raise the retirement age?

A: We don't have a particular solution in mind. When it came to agriculture policy, Chad went around the state seeking input from stakeholders at roundtable discussions. We would do the same for Social Security. Let's get the stakeholders together and discuss possible solutions; there is no danger in conversation. That conversation has not occurred for Social Security for a couple of decades now.

Source: Phone interview: 2014 Kansas Senate race OnTheIssues Sep 3, 2014

Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice

Personal Retirement Saving Plans: What if people were recipients of their own contributions? The idea is payroll deduction choice. Individuals could opt-in, opt-out, and adjust percentage payments anytime. Individual choice requires ownership. Individuals would be owners of these savings accounts. Funds could be transitioned to existing pensions, 401K's, or savings accounts, IRA's, life insurance policies, CD's, savings accounts, or to spend as they like. We should not tax these investments.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website batson4senate.weebly.com Aug 31, 2014

Randall Batson: Opt in/opt out of payroll deduction choice

Department of Education: Federal involvement in public schools is unnecessary and has diminished our standing in the world. Private schools should be funded, and parents and students should be free to choose schools. Teachers should compete for students. Eliminating the DOE is necessary to return states to their proper role in administering education.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website batson4senate.weebly.com Aug 31, 2014

Greg Orman: Lack of economic growth drains Social Security

"The lack of a growing economy is the most significant issue facing Kansas and our nation today," Orman said. "It creates a cascade effect leading to increases in Social Security disability claims, healthcare, and an inability to properly educate our children."

As a business owner, he also discussed how we have a health care system that we cannot afford. Each year for the past 15 years, health care expenses have risen. These increases often come at the expense of better wages for employees.

Source: Independent Voter Project IVN.us on 2014 Kansas Senate race Jun 30, 2014

  • The above quotations are from 2014 Kansas Senate debates.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Pat Roberts on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Todd Tiahrt on Social Security.
Candidates and political leaders on Social Security:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018