FL Senate debate: on Social Security


Betty Castor: Oppose privatizing Social Security and retirement age change

Q: Do you favor the privatization of Social Security?

CASTOR: I'm all for people investing for their retirement, but the proposal to take money out of the Social Security system and put it into the stock market would endanger Social Security because investment choices would be severely limited by the federal government. Switching to a privatized system would cost money we simply do not have, given the deficit run up over the past four years. I am adamantly against spending Social Security money on other items. I oppose privatizing Social Security, raising the retirement age or cutting benefits.

MARTINEZ: Social Security is a solemn promise that must be kept and I urge Congress to preserve that sacred trust. We must not change the rules for middl -aged workers and seniors. Social Security must improve service with new business processes and use technology to become more efficient. We must work together to develop a system that will be solvent in the future. Finally, I do not support raising taxe

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Mel Martinez: Social Security is a sacred promise but plan future solvency

Q: Do you favor the privatization of Social Security?

CASTOR: I'm all for people investing for their retirement, but the proposal to take money out of the Social Security system and put it into the stock market would endanger Social Security because investment choices would be severely limited by the federal government. Switching to a privatized system would cost money we simply do not have, given the deficit run up over the past four years. I am adamantly against spending Social Security money on other items. I oppose privatizing Social Security, raising the retirement age or cutting benefits.

MARTINEZ: Social Security is a solemn promise that must be kept and I urge Congress to preserve that sacred trust. We must not change the rules for middl -aged workers and seniors. Social Security must improve service with new business processes and use technology to become more efficient. We must work together to develop a system that will be solvent in the future. Finally, I do not support raising taxe

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Betty Castor: Privatizing Social Security will reduce benefits

If we privatize, the only thing that will happen is that the benefits for those already on the system will have to be reduced.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, in St. Petersburg Times

Betty Castor: Oppose investing Social Security in the stock market

There is no imminent danger. There is no immediate problem to Social Security. We have time to address it. The thing we cannot afford to do is create any risk at this time.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, on News4Jax.com

Mel Martinez: Allow people to invest in a private account

I have a young son-in-law and daughter, they're just starting their working lives, they're in their late 20s. Why would they not have an opportunity to invest in a private account that would permit them an opportunity to also receive a larger return than the 2 percent Social Security provides?
Source: Florida Senate Debate, on News4Jax.com

  • The above quotations are from Florida Senate debate: Mel Martinez (R) vs. Betty Castor (D), Oct. 18, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mal Martinez on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Betty Castor on Social Security.
Other candidates on Social Security:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka

Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
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