Mark Neumann: “My only fear listening to this, most of what you said I agree with wholeheartedly, as you well know, is that this…”

“My only fear listening to this, most of what you said I agree with wholeheartedly, as you well know, is that this becomes very partisan, and Social Security is too important to become partisan. Many of us Republicans also feel that it is inappropriate to use Social Security money for tax cuts, and I think it is important rather than get into a partisan bickering situation that we, you know, instead of me taking the next hour and coming back and bashing Democrats, this is not about Democrats and Republicans, it is about what is happening in Social Security in our country. Many of us on our side of the aisle feel that it is inappropriate to use Social Security money. We support tax cuts, and I suspect that if we ask you if we could lower taxes by reducing wasteful government spending or by utilizing a portion of the surpluses from the general fund, not Social Security, as we are also paying down the debt, that that probably might be something that we on both sides of the aisle might find to be acceptable. Many of the Republicans do feel very strongly, as you are suggesting here tonight, that it is inappropriate to use Social Security surpluses for tax cuts, and I think you will see that unfold.”