Teabaggers Against Social Security

Sometimes I think the teabaggers are trying to commit political suicide. It was easy for them to be against health care reform, because many people weren't sure what needed to be done and others were afraid they might lose what little coverage they already had. But there are other issues they are forwarding that a clear majority of Americans consider to be settled, and don't want them changed.

One of these is the issue of race. By allowing racists to enter the movement and loudly proclaim their vile beliefs, the teabaggers are turning off many Americans. Frankly, most Americans are embarrassed by America's racist past and are not about to countenance a return to those bad old times. Unless they are able to distance themselves from the racists, they will turn off a lot of Americans in November.

Another issue that a huge majority of Americans are in favor of is social security. The program has been around for a long time now and has served us well. This is a true "third rail" of American politics. A good way to lose support very quickly is to come out against social security.

That's why I was surprised to find some teabagger leaders coming out against social security (especially since many in the "movement" seem to be of social security age). Larry King had a couple of the movement's leaders on his show -- Dana Loesch and Wayne Allyn Root. They told King they were opposed to the health care reform because it was mandatory. King reminded them that social security was also mandatory, and both said they wanted to do away with that too. Here is the exchange:

KING: Would anyone turn away Social Security now? Would you do away with it?

LOESCH: I would, yes.

KING: You would?

LOESCH: Yes, absolutely.

KING: Would do you away with it, Wayne?

ROOT: I’d certainly like to. At best, I do away with it because I could find better ways to spend and save my own $15,000 a year.


I can't believe they are taking this position with an election only months away, but I hope they stick with it. I hope they ride the racism and anti-social security stances all the way to November, because I believe these stances will be the best gift the Democrats could get. The American people are simply not going to support these views.

(The picture above shows Franklin Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law.)
Posted by Ted McLaughlin