Bush Lied About Social Security?

Virtually all the “Bush Lied” blogs and web site talk about how “Bush lied” about social security, just as the say he lied about WMDs, to create panic so he could enact his nefarious solutions. No one in the press takes the time to point out the problem with this so I am going to give a little quiz, as I did in the Bush Lied About WMDs blog. Both Bill Clinton and George Bush talked about the crisis in Social Security during their State of the Union speeches. Here are the main assertions by both about the point at which the system falls apart. Can you tell me which is which?

“Today, Social Security is strong. But by 2013, payroll taxes will no longer be sufficient to cover monthly payments. And by 2032, the trust fund will be exhausted…”

AND

“…in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted…”

I understand the short-term advantages in convincing people that your political opposition is a liar. God knows republicans spent the entire Clinton presidency trying to convince people of his dishonesty. But in the information era the truth will come out eventually, for better or worse. Any of those who are willing to say Clinton lied about Social Security also, will at least be consistent. Otherwise whether you are cognizant or not you are a political pawn.

To avoid the “you took that out of context” claim, please read both of the Presidents’ speeches.

Bush’s State of the Union speech

Clinton’s State of the Union speech

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