I've already signed on to the Bush plan. Effective last month, I no longer
send my FICA money to the Feds. I have created a private investment
account. When audited, I intend to call Mr. Bush as my first witness for
the defense.



"HarryKrause" wrote in message
...
Little for Bush to Savor in Latest Social Security Polling
Still "no" to private investment accounts


by Lydia Saad

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- The news for President George W. Bush on Social Security
is not good. His approval ratings on Social Security are the worst they
have been all year, and more Americans have faith in the Democrats than in
the Republicans to deal with the issue. A majority of Americans continue
to oppose private investment accounts -- Bush's core idea for addressing
the Social Security system. And while a majority of Americans acknowledge
Bush has proposed a Social Security plan, fewer describe it as a clear
plan.

Decidedly Weak Approval on Social Security

According to the June 24-26, 2005, CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, only 31% of
Americans approve of Bush's handling of Social Security; 64% disapprove.
That amounts to a -33 net approval rating on Social Security, which is
lower than where he stood even a month ago, and is substantially lower
than results from earlier in the year.

Bush's declining ratings on Social Security are possibly part of a larger
pattern that is not directly related to his specific performance on the
issue. His dwindling support on Social Security parallels a decline in his
overall job approval rating, and is similar to the trend seen for his
handling of the economy and Iraq.

No to Private Investment Accounts

Still, the important fact remains that a majority of Americans seem
resistant to Bush's idea of establishing private investment accounts
within the Social Security system -- at least as Gallup describes that
idea. Fifty-three percent of Americans say they oppose a proposal that
would "allow workers to invest part of their Social Security taxes in the
stock market or in bonds, while the rest of those taxes would remain in
the Social Security system." Just 44% favor this. These results are nearly
identical to those measured in late April.

Party affiliation presents the biggest distinctions in support for private
accounts. About two-thirds of Republicans (69%) favor the idea, while
three-quarters of Democrats (74%) and a majority of independents (59%)
oppose it.

But the differences are almost as stark according to the age of
respondents. Adults under age 50 generally favor the idea while those 50
and older oppose it.

Not Even an "A" for Effort

Bush gets moderate credit from Americans for having proposed a plan for
addressing the Social Security system. Two-thirds (67%) acknowledge he has
a plan, compared with less than half (47%) who say the same of the
Democrats in Congress. However, only a quarter of Americans believe Bush
has proposed a clear plan, leaving a great deal of room for improvement on
this front.

Republicans might hope that Bush's Social Security initiative leaves
Democrats vulnerable to being seen as obstructing the issue -- opposing
Bush's plan without having one of their own. However, Americans still
choose the Democrats over the Republicans as the party they trust more to
deal with Social Security retirement benefits.

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected
national sample of 1,009 adults, aged 18 and older, conducted June 24-26,
2005. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95% confidence
that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects
is ±3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording
and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or
bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
--
If it is Bad for Bush,
It is Good for the United States.