Thomas Foley: “Social Security is a very, very important issue for Americans. There have been a lot of comments in the newspaper about…”

“Social Security is a very, very important issue for Americans. There have been a lot of comments in the newspaper about potential damage, destruction of Social Security; and I can assure my colleagues, as one Member who comes from the fifth largest Medicare-eligible population in America of all 435 districts, that this truly is an important endeavor for our Congress, and we should not be using brick bats to demonize one side or the other about plans. We should talk constructively about the opportunities to engage, both sides of the aisle, whether it is the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) or the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), who have significant ideas about how to improve the structural nature of this important program. No one's trying to destroy it. Nobody's trying to uncouple it, but we are trying to look at rational ways in which we can deliver the benefits not only to those who are currently enrolled in the system, but those who are starting their first job or just born. It is much too important to have polarization on a topic that is so critically important to our citizens. Our seniors need not be frightened. Forty-five-year-olds need not be wondering whether it is going to be there for them.”