Modeled After Sen. Graham

Two years ago when I traveled for the campaign of John Edwards I never dreamed I would be writing about modeling myself after Lindsey Graham because at the time I didn’t know who he was and hadn’t cared much to watch C-SPAN. I began watching C-SPAN during the campaign hoping to see John Edwards give the blockbuster speech on the Senate floor that would set me swooning. However, this never happened because John Edwards was out campaigning.

Discovery of Sen. Graham
One day while listening to the Senate proceedings I heard a refreshingly eager voice. He was talking about trade and jobs. It was enough to make me wonder about the speaker. I turned around and watched as the gentleman spoke and I saw that it was Lindsey Graham. I had just returned from campaigning in Milwaukee at this time. I couldn’t believe that in the middle of a campaign I was getting interested in someone else; on the other side no less. Sen. Graham had captured my attention and I did research to find out more about his life, career, and positions. The more I looked into it the more I admired him and decided that he was the person upon which I wanted to model myself.

Disagreement, Defense, and Support
I disagree with him sometimes and other times I wonder what he is thinking, but this never makes me question his status as my role model.

We tend to question those items we disagree with more than that with which we agree. However, I chose to adopt his idea of compromising and finding a middle ground in order to get something done. The largest example of this is the judicial compromise, which he took flak for, but I found it easy to defend.

I know I have moved slightly left (populist-leaning conservative to populist conservative) over the last two years and appearantly Sen. Graham has also, at least on immigration. He has a populist streak that causes his independent, some would say maverick, actions. I share this streak and the desire to help people. I share the willingness to challenge orthodoxy when necessary, like in supporting a payroll tax cap increase to pay for the transition cost of the Social Security reform.

I do not agree with his support of the Marriage Protection Amendment for Constitutional reasons, but I honor his wish to support it. I will also defend his vote for the nuclear option should it become necessary. I hope this option never returns to the debate and never sees the light of day again.

Conclusion
I choose to model myself after Sen. Graham because of his willingness to compromise and stand for principles, as well as his life being a model of the American Dream.

• Response to Lindsey Graham is Starting to Really Disappoint Me, by Mike Reino at SC6

Exciting and Frustraitng Times

I have been following and supporting Sen. Graham for a year now. Things are both frustrating and exciting. Frustrating because Social Security reform seems to be permanently stalled. Exciting because when Senators Reid and Frist met the other day his name came up as a potential nominee for the United States Supreme Court.First, the Supreme Court. Sen. Graham’s name was mentioned as one of four compromise nominees when senators Reid and Frist met about the Supreme Court. This is exciting, but also evokes mixed feelings. Excitement because I could be watching someone I admire getting confirmed as a Justice on the Supreme Court.

There are mixed feeling present because it would mean he leave s the Senate. I would be sad but proud if this were to happen. However, it is not likely because President nominates. It is likely we will get whatever he wants, although, I hope he advises the Senate of the nominee.

Now, the frustration over Social Security reform. This initiative seems to be permanently stalled. The Republicans are focused on private accounts and the Democrats refuse to consider these accounts. It is frustrating because all the focus has been on the accounts even though Sen. Graham has brought up the key issue: solvency. The bill he has cosponsored (S. 1302) does not address this. His bill (S. 1878) from the last congress did. It was a lot tougher than either of us imagined.

Choice Proposal: Social Security and Private Retirement Accouonts

Proposals abound for fixing our Social Security system. Some want to leave it just the way it is, another group wants to require investment in private retirement and still others desire only to provide the option to invest in a private account. There are six bills in between the House and Senate (4 House, 2 Senate)that have not gotten a committee hearing yet. There is also a resolution in committee in the Senate to disallow consideration on any bill that includes Private Retirement Accounts as even an option for reform.

A thorough review of the proposals led me to conclude that the most insightful, innovative, best layed out reform plan was that proposed on 18 November 2003 by Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC). Graham’s bill (S. 1878) would allow for younger workers to take the option divert 4% points of their OASDI (old age, survivors and disability insurance) taxes into a Private Retirement Account (PRA) that would be much like the Thrift Savings Plan, in which all federal employees have the option to participate. There is a cap of $1300 on diverted funds. The remainder of the taxes would stay in the current system. For those who opt out of option 1 the remaining two options offer individuals the security of the traditional system with major differences. The second, like the first changes the benefits determination formula so that benefits are more in line with the CPI and wage growth, with PIA up to 120% of the poverty level and Incresing benefits of widows and widowers to about 75 % of what would be recived if both spouses were alive. The third option is the traditional system.

Current Beneficiaries would stay in the trditional system, while future benficiaries can choose any of the three options. However, beyond the age of 26 you are locked into the option you choose.

I feel that this plan is good because it provides options that will modernize our Social Security System and keep it solvent into the future. I also strongly beleive that Sen. Graham would never propose anything that would harm Social Security because his family depended on it to survive after his parents passed away. He comments are as follows:
This personal experience only serves to strengthen his commitment to making sure that Social Security is there for each one of us into the future.No further action will be taken until after the election when this bill will be introduced again for debate.

President Bush’s Reform Plan may be based on Sen. Graham’s ProposalSocial Security Solvency and Modernization Act

“I was 22 and my sister was 13 when we lost both my parents. The illnesses were expensive and times were tough. My sister received Social Security survivors’ benefits so I know how important Social Security is to families. That’s why my commitment to the program is strong and unwavering.
” Introduction of the Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act

President Bush’s Social Security Reform Plan may be based on Sen. Graham’s Proposal

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has a proposal to modernize Social Security and make it solvent in to the future and it may be the basis of President Bush’s policy. The proposal, called the Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act, was originally introduced late in 2003. It languished in the Senate Finance Committee because of more pressing concerns, like National and Homeland Security. However, it will be reintroduced sometime early next year after the swearing in of the 109th Congress.

The proposal grants younger workers the option of investing 4% (up to $1300) of their SS payroll taxes into a private account in the Thrift Savings Plan, a government guaranteed program. This option also allows younger people to have increased survivors benefits if something should happen to their parents and the earnings or losses from the private accoount will be offset by the benefits recived form th 96% of the taxes not invested in the account.

The second option, which also applies to middle age workers, has no private account, but provides the increased survivors benefits and current law SS benefits.

The third option provides only current law benfits. Anyone can opt for this, however, current beneficiaries will stay in the current law system.

This plan is well thought out and comprehensive. It addresses both the issue of modernization (private accounts) and solvency. Who better than Sen. Graham to address this issue. His parents passed away when he was 22 and his sister was 13. His sister survived because of survivor’s benefits. He would do nothing to harm this program. He is showing leadership on this issue and is sure to raise his national profile by being a surrogate on many news shows.

More Info
The Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act (Summary)
Social SecuritySocial Security Solvency and Modernization Act
Choice Proposal: Social Security and Private Retirement Accounts