RUSS CARNAHAN: “Instead of working together like President Reagan and Speaker O'Neill did in the early eighties to extend the solvency…”

“Instead of working together like President Reagan and Speaker O'Neill did in the early eighties to extend the solvency of Social Security, this week the Republican leader announced his plan to raise the Social Security retirement age and decrease benefits for older Americans to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on the backs of seniors? You've got to be kidding me. This is the same Republican Party when, in the majority under President Bush, refused to pay for the two wars, and gave tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, doubling our national debt, and laying the groundwork for the worst financial crisis in a generation. And some Republicans are still trying to privatize Social Security. Do I need to remind people that personal retirement funds have been wiped out under failed Republican economics? The other side refuses to work together to create additional jobs and to help those who have lost their jobs. Despite Republican foot dragging and nay-saying, this year we're on track to create more jobs than were created during the entire 8 years under President Bush. Missourians simply cannot afford more failed economic policies.”