Rep. Walberg's challenger focuses on Social Security
Mark Schauer, the Democrat from Battle Creek challenging freshman Rep. Tim Walberg, is hosting town halls today on Social Security in Jackson and Grand Ledge.
Schauer, accompanied by Barbara Kennelly, the president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, highlighted his opposition to private accounts in the safety net program. Walberg, R-Tipton, supports changing the program so younger workers could choose to invest a portion of their Social Security money in private investment accounts.
Walberg and Schauer are battling for Michigan's 7th Congressional District in the south-central area of the state. Each has TV ads up now, with Walberg accusing Schauer of loving high taxes and Schauer accusing Walberg of being part of a Washington that has led to problems with the economy and housing market.
Schauer said in a conference call with reporters that he would be open to such proposals as raising the current cap on payroll taxes but would not be open to private accounts. He says private accounts would "weaken" the entire Social Security program. He said he'd be open to a "bi-partisan solution that makes adjustments to current Social Security."
"I knock on a lot of doors and contact a lot of voters, many of whom are senior citizens, and I haven't found one who thinks that privatizing Social Security, as Tim Walberg would like to do, thinks it's a good idea," Schauer said. "... Tim Walberg is wrong. He is out of touch with the senior population in his district by continuing to support even a position that George W. Bush backed away from."
Walberg issued a statement saying, "Social Security is facing a significant shortfall and real reform is needed." In addition to supporting opt-in private accounts for younger workers, Walberg has introduced the Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act.
