CNN Kfile: on Social Security


Beto O`Rourke: 2012: Protect retirees, but make changes for the future

O`Rourke campaigned during his 2012 congressional race on a platform that called for possibly changing Social Security, specifically citing means-testing and extending the retirement age.

"The people who paid into Social Security and who are earning their checks back from investment in Social Security, that needs to be protected. That's inviolable. But going forward for future generations, we need to look at things like means testing," O`Rourke said. "We need to look at perhaps a later age at which my kids are going to retire."

On his campaign YouTube page, he said preserving Social Security required future generations "retiring at a later age, paying a greater percentage of their income into Social Security and making other necessary adjustments to make sure that that program is around for all those that work and contribute to the benefit of this country."

Source: CNN KFile on 2020 Democratic primary contenders Mar 19, 2019

Beto O`Rourke: 2012: Maybe raise age; 2019: Against raising age

[In first Congressional campaign, suggested raising retirement age and means testing.] O`Rourke's campaign spokesman, said O`Rourke opposed efforts in Congress to increase the retirement age. "On Social Security, Beto was acknowledging that it's very possible Congress would look at that debate around raising the age in the future. He does not say he supports it or recommends it. Beto was interested in looking at possible ideas for ensuring the solvency of Social Security for future generations," the spokesman said. "He ultimately found a solution that he endorsed and co-sponsored called the Social Security 2100 Act, which extends the solvency of the program without raising the retirement age. While Beto has not taken any action to raise the retirement age, he has opposed efforts to raise the retirement age and voted against measures to privatize Social Security."
Source: CNN KFile on 2020 Democratic primary contenders Mar 19, 2019

Mike Bloomberg: 2009: Called Social Security a "Ponzi scheme"

Bloomberg compared Social Security to a "Ponzi scheme" and repeatedly said cuts to that program as well as Medicare and Medicaid had to be part of any serious solution to reducing the federal deficit. "I don't know if Bernie Madoff got his idea from there, but if there's ever a Ponzi scheme, people say Madoff was the biggest? Wrong. Social Security is, far and away," Bloomberg said in a January 2009 appearance, referencing the imprisoned former investment adviser who committed billions in fraud.
Source: CNN K-File FactCheck on 2020 presidential hopefuls Feb 26, 2020

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2024 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Oct 31, 2024