The Chicago Tribune: on Social Security


Chuy Garcia: Social Security is essential but needs wage limits increased

Social security is an essential component of the safety net for people as they get older and retire. The benefits provide essential resources for people who have worked their whole lives. Arguments that the benefits are excessive are simply fear mongering. We should commit to keeping it a public defined benefit system. We need to increase the wage limits subject to social security and Medicare contributions, so that high earning workers and managers contribute their fair share.
Source: Chicago Tribune coverage of 2018 IL-4 House race Oct 15, 2018

Daniel Biss: Alter public employee pensions to reduce state pension debt

It is questionable whether Biss will enjoy support from organized labor, a traditional Democratic ally. In 2013 he co-sponsored legislation to alter public employee pensions to reduce the state's massive pension debt. The plan was later struck down by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race Mar 20, 2017

Joe Walsh: Gradually raising the retirement age beyond 67

Q: Would you raise the Social Security payroll tax on employers and employees? Would you raise the retirement age beyond 67? Would you change the benefit formula?

A: I would not raise the Social Security payroll tax on employers or employees. However, I would support gradually raising the retirement age beyond 67. With life expectancy continuing to increase, we have to ensure that entitlement programs are updated to reflect current realities of life expectancy.

Source: Chicago Tribune Editorial board questionnaires Nov 1, 2010

Alexi Giannoulias: Gradual fixes: raising the cap; phase-down benefits for rich

I am deeply committed to the long-term strength of Medicare & Social Security, but the future success of these programs will require that we make tough decisions. No government program has been as successful at protecting our society's most vulnerable as Social Security. It is vital to America's seniors that we strengthen and stabilize this program. First and foremost, we must get our budget under control and stop financing our yearly discretionary spending with borrowed funds from the Trust Fund. Because Social Security is currently slated to pay full benefits until approximately 2037, we should consider gradual fixes that involve increasing the taxable wage base, raising the cap on taxable income, and providing less replacement income by the government--perhaps with a phase-down of social security benefits for those retiring with $5 million in assets.
Source: Chicago Tribune election coverage Feb 2, 2010

Joe Walsh: Individuals set aside portion of own income for retirement

Q. What changes do you support to keep Medicare and Social Security solvent?

A. The President's health care proposals effectively perpetuate the Ponzi scheme-like character that epitomizes both Social Security and Medicare. Ultimately, the answer will require some mechanism for individuals to set aside a portion of their own income for their own retirement and health care. Only when individuals have some responsibility for their own well-being will we be able to get a handle on skyrocketing costs.

Source: Chicago Tribune Editorial board questionnaire responses Feb 2, 2010

  • The above quotations are from Media coverage of IL political races in The Chicago Tribune.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Sep 18, 2022