ponzi scheme Archives

Rick Perry Loses Support Since His Recent Social Security Gaffe

A new Poll conducted by PPP shows President Obama extending his lead over Republican Rick Perry. According to the results, the lead is now in the double figures, and is the direct result of Rick Perry’s recent claims that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. PPP reports;

Only 20% of voters agree with Perry that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme to 70% who dissent from that statement. Democrats (4/87) and independents (20/69) are pretty universal in their disagreement with Perry and even Republicans (39/49) don’t stand with him on this one. When it comes to the possibility of actually ending Social Security voters are even more unanimous – 82% oppose taking that step to only 10% who would be supportive of it. If Perry ends up as the Republican nominee and Democrats can effectively convince the electorate that he does want to end Social Security it could be an extremely damaging issue for him.

Since bringing up the Ponzi scheme claim at the MSNBC Republican debate earlier this month, Rick Perry has already begun his campaign to distance himself from that remark. But could it already be too late? Is the damage already done? If these poll numbers hold up over the next few months, expect the Republican elites to start moving away from Perry, and back to Romney.

My prediction for the general election? It will be President Obama and Vice President Biden, going against Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty.

Rick Perry – Social Security Is a “Ponzi” Scheme That Must Be Saved

Rick Perry’s statements on any particular issue depends on what day it is. In 2010, the Texas governor and leader in the Republican field of Presidential wannabees for the 2012 election went on the Fox News Sunday program and said that social security is a “Ponzi scheme” and should be done away with.

“What I’m saying is that between Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, there’s $106 trillion of unfunded liabilities and not one dime saved to pay for them. My children who are in their 20’s know that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme.”

Rick Perry has used this definition on many other occasions since then. In another interview with The Daily Beast, Perry said that the three programs are “bankrupt,” and again, referred to them as a Ponzi schemes. He also blamed the Progressives for what he calls, the “deterioration of our Constitution,” and suggested that we should ” have a legitimate, honest, national discussion about Washington’s continuing to spend money we don’t have on programs that we don’t need.”

Then in the previous MSNBC Republican debate, Perry stuck to his guns, but this time, he added the word “monstrous,” to his definition of Social Security, saying;

“It is a monstrous lie. It is a Ponzi scheme to tell our kids that are 25 or 30 years old today, you’ve paid into a program that’s going to be there. Anybody that’s for the status quo with Social Security today is involved with a monstrous lie to our kids, and that’s not right.”

Then last night, after spending the last few days hearing the outrage his remarks caused, Perry decided that was enough and did a backtrack, flip-flop, moonwalk on the issue. All of a sudden, Social Security was no longer a program “we don’t need,” it became a program that “needs fixing.” One the Texas Republican governor believes in, and he attempted to assure the public of his new-found embrace of the program.

“The people who are on Social Security today need to understand something. Slam-dunk guaranteed, that program is going to be there in place for those individuals.”

And today, with more media coverage on Perry’s dumb statements, he felt the need to issue this statement, as reported by Politico;

“America’s Goal Must Be To Fix Social Security” So Americans “Really Can Count On [It] For The Long Haul.” “America’s goal must be to fix Social Security by making it more financially sound and sustainable for the long term… Americans must come together and agree to address the problems so today’s beneficiaries and tomorrow’s retirees really can count on Social Security for the long haul.” (Rick Perry, Op-Ed, “I Am Going To Be Honest With The American People.”

Rick Perry – someone who says whatever he thinks is necessary to win an election… sounds Republican to me!