So last week, I didn't want to take credit for the copy under my byline.

Today...I don't want to take credit for the copy under my byline.

See, last week it was because of the screw-ups. This week, it's because I got a lot of help propping this one up from my editor here in DC. He mercifully re-wrote a good deal of verbal projectile vomit. In my defense, I had about an hour to explain Social Security in 500 words or less. But still...anyways, it's a learning process.

Also, mad props to my classmate Elana, who landed me a great source to balance this sucker out. Without the "other voice," I would have had a serious problem filing this one...

A little background: Yesterday a consortium of Democratic women reps had this small town-meeting media event on the Hill to bash the Bush Social Security plan, in terms of its effects on women.

Wait, back up: "Town-meeting media event." Sound familiar?

I swear, can't the Democrats come up with anything original?

That said, they've taken a lot of heat for not coming up with some sort of a counter-proposal and I think that's over-simplified, to say the least. What's wrong with just opposing the plan laid out on the table, and making sure that gets shot down before you lay down your own plan? Lord knows we have time. You ask me, Medicare/Medicaid should be getting the spotlight, not this. Why do you necessarily have to have an alternative in order to point out why, in your opinion, something else is a bad idea?

I don't get that. Then again, I'm not a Republican.

(What's that Lewis Black bit? "The Republican gets up and says, 'I've got a shitty idea!!' Then the Democrat gets up and says, 'And I can make it shittier!!' ")

Since I commute from Virginia, I showed up at this event a little early. The seats didn't have any of the usual "reserved" signs, so I took one in the second row.

Gradually, I was surrounded by a bevy of mid-aged to elderly women from all sorts of women's organizations, with the rest of the media way in the back. Nancy Pelosi came up and greeted the old lady next to me, occasionally glancing at me, obviously wondering who the hell I was, (I didn't have my cool little press pass showing.)

The other highlight from yesterday: Talking to a congressman who, I swear to God, I think he was totally smashtarred - juiced up after a long flight back to the District from SoCal.

I was tempted to include how he stopped just short of calling these Democratic women a bunch of socialists, due to their moniker: "The Democratic Women Workers' Council." This guy loves to talk, and I usually play "hypothetical devil's advocate" to his talking points, which is always enjoyable.

Screw talking politics with like-minded beatnicks in some underground coffee shop playing Pete Yorn. It's a lot more fun talking shop with drunk congressmen. That's what I think, at least.

Anyways, here's today's nifty SS article. Knock yourselves out.

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Capps argues benefits overhaul could hurt women

5/11/05
By DICKIE CRONKITE
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Lois Capps, joined at a town hall meeting by nine Democratic colleagues, criticized President Bush's proposed Social Security overhaul on Tuesday, saying it would deprive women and children of crucial survivor and disability benefits.

Her remarks signaled a new approach in the Democrats' unified opposition to Mr. Bush's plan, zeroing in on the effects it would have on women. The meeting also featured several women who said the current system had helped get them through times of unexpected crisis and tragedy.

Mrs. Capps, D-Santa Barbara, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and their colleagues charged that without the current Social Security system, 53 percent of all senior women would be living in poverty.

The lawmakers said Mr. Bush's proposal for private retirement accounts ultimately would result in drastic benefits cuts, partly because setting up a national privatization program would drain "trillions" of dollars from the financially endangered Social Security trust fund.

In a telephone interview, Leanne Abdnor, executive director at Women for Social Security Choice, took a different view.

"When you talk about the issue of women and Social Security, our sides agree that women are much more dependent (than men)," she said. "If so, I don't know why they're not willing to come forward with a plan."


Anticipating such criticism, Ms. Pelosi told the town meeting that "Democrats do have a plan. Our plan is to save Social Security first."


Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, said he would wait for a specific, detailed plan from either party before deciding whether to "challenge it or embrace it."

But he criticized Democrats for "submarining" Mr. Bush's plan before offering a counterproposal.

"Lois Capps is a nice lady," he said. "I think sometimes she gets exploited for partisan reasons."


Most observers believe Social Security can remain solvent in its current form until 2041. But Ms. Abdnor called that misleading, saying that beginning in 2017 the system will switch over to "IOUs," racking up debts of $5.7 trillion through 2051.

On the other hand, Mrs. Capps said Mr. Bush's proposal would sink the nation deeper into debt. "His plan to privatize Social Security would divert trillions of dollars from the program, endangering benefits for those at and near retirement today."


Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., made a brief appearance at the event, reiterating her criticism of a privatized retirement plan for Texas municipal employees. The administration has lauded the Texas program, but Ms. Boxer recently released a study conducted with the Congressional Research Service that showed survivor benefits for the Texas employees were significantly lower than they would have been under Social Security.

Ms. Abdnor countered that once children reach age 18, all their Social Security benefits cease -- and that that would not necessarily occur if their parents had private accounts.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to begin hearings on Social Security restructuring as early as Thursday.


Dickie Cronkite writes from Washington, D.C., for Medill News Service. Contact him at *******@newspress.com.