Guess who is holding a public forum on Social Security reforms? State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, in conjunction with Michael Madigan, is hosting “Citizens Workshops” that promote Democratic opposition to Republican-backed proposals to partially privatize Social Security on Monday, October 17 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the Champaign Council Chambers on 102 North Neil Street.
That might seem odd to you, as it did me.
If Rep. Jakobsson wants to grandstand on issues that are not under state control, the public needs to call her on it. I’d like Rep. Jakobsson to answer the following questions at the event:
- If the Democrats and Rep. Jakobsson are so committed to retirement security, then why did they raid the state pension system (specifically the Illinois Teacher's Pension)?
- What are the Democrats and Rep. Jakobsson going to do about the Social Security problem?
- Are all of the State of Illinois’ problems solved, so that the Democrats and Rep. Jakobsson can focus on this federal issue?
As a State Legislator, Rep. Jakobsson should be concerning herself directly with the multitude of issues facing the State of Illinois. Rather, she has taken it upon herself to hold a hearing and grandstand on an issue that she has no ability to change. This tactic is nothing more than a ploy to bring her some additional press coverage without putting her on the spot to actually do anything to solve a growing dilemma. Further, it’s another attempt to divert public attention from her support of the pension raid. The Democrats’ scheme is to create a make believe image of a legislator that cares about your future, while in reality these same individuals plundered the state's pension system, robbing many of their future.
Tom Roeser has some excellent commentary on Madigan’s diversionary tactics…
I think that the public should call for legislators that voted for the pension raid to give up their state pension (an absolutely gaudy program that is also under funded) until the State of Illinois pays off all that it has taken from each of the five state pension programs (with interest). If you don't understand yet, they stole from you and me so that they could bring more project money to there districts and get re-elected. The Gov and his cronies that supported the pension raid stole from our retirement security and I want them to give it back and start making the hard decisions not run down to the nearest payday lending shop to pay for extras that are not essential.
Why doesn't she want to talk about the overly expensive healthcare program for kids she'll be voting on this fall?
Great post, great points. How can Jakobsson even talk about preserving Social Security with a straight face?
Anon 10:17:
You're right. Why not discuss the many, many things that she does have control over - or at least a vote on - right here in Illinois? In fact, why not hold a public forum on the pension fund raid? If the Dems stand by their votes, why not hold a public forum and tell us why.
Further, Helen Satterthwaite's September 20th letter to the editor provided support for the pension fund raid based upon this logic:
“This (catch-up plan to stabilize pension fund finances by 2045) called for rapidly increasing payments into the systems in the early years, unfortunately coming at the time of a state budget crunch.”ÂÂ
Does anyone think Rep. Jakobsson will vote against Blago's healthcare program based on the same logic - that we're in a "time of a state budget crunch"?
Fiscal responsibility seems to be the furthest things from everyone's minds these days.
The press should not let her take a walk around these issues. She is in her second term, she is fairly safe, and it is time to make her earn her pension. In one year she will be vested in the general assembly pension program and well on her way to recieving 85% of her income when she retires. I want to know how she is planing to pay for my pension seeing how the pension program was shorted an additional 8 billion bringing us 40 billion dollars in the hole. Yes that's billions. In one payment in 2045 (it is estimated) we will have to pay (we as in you and me) 15 billion dollars into the system, and yes that is in one year. I want to know why they voted to underfund and put our retirment in jepardy.
Illini Pundit: I'm a Democrat. I also agree nearly 100% with your comments on this issue.
... Monday, October 17 from 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Maybe this doesn't bother anyone else, but what's up with the time?
How many people who work will be able to attend this (or at least all of it)?
Maybe they're thinking only retired folks will be interested in going, but then again, doesn't Social Security concern all of us - old and young?
Curious.
Not if your goal is to fire up the old people into voting Dem. Younger, working people might actually favor personal accounts - it would be bad to have a bunch of them show up, ask tough questions, and ruin the PR moment.
She's already backpedeling, trying to change the subject to identity theft of social security numbers.
Why not talk about significant state issues, like budget solutions?
Anything but Social Security, I hope the press hounds her about this. Let's talk about fund sweeps it doesn't have to be about pensions. How is she planning on dealing with the electric rate hike that is coming down the pipe? Someone needs to be talking about this stuff I think it should probably be her. Jakobsson and Blago sitting in a tree KISSING. Both won't talk about the real issue and both will always talk about someone else's issues like vaccination, medication from Canada to name just two.