State of Texas Archives: on Social Security


Allen West: Called Social Security "21st century slavery"

During a short-lived exploration of a congressional bid in Dallas in 2019, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called him a "certified wacko," noting that he had called Social Security "21st century slavery," claimed he had a higher security clearance than the president, and had used his time in Congress to argue that terrorism is inherent to Islam, and that Islam is "not a religion" but a "totalitarian theocratic political ideology."
Source: Dallas Morning News on 2022 Texas Gubernatorial race Jul 4, 2021

MJ Hegar: Medicare & Social Security not entitlements, but promises

I will oppose any effort to privatize, dismantle or undercut Medicare, including raising the eligibility age. Medicare and Social Security are not entitlements--they are promises made to every American. I will also oppose any "age tax" insurance companies seek to impose against older Americans.
Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website MJforTexas.com Jan 20, 2020

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: Supports Social Security 2100 Act

Half of American households over the age of 55 have no retirement savings. We must ensure older Americans and families can live in dignity and with security by supporting measures like the Social Security 2100 Act, which protects and strengthen social security for decades to come.
Source: 2020 Texas Senate campaign website CristinaForTexas.com Dec 19, 2019

Vicente Gonzalez: Oppose privatization of safety nets

Medicare & Social Security: A promise made should be a promise kept. Strengthening and protecting Social Security and Medicare for our seniors is a promise we must keep.
Source: 2016 Texas House campaign website VicenteGonzalez.com Nov 8, 2016

John Cornyn: Biggest driver of national debt is entitlement spending

The worst-kept secret in Washington is that programs many Texans and Americans depend on--Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid--are going broke. While many agree that these important programs are in dire need of reform, few are willing to stand up and lead. President Obama even ignored the recommendations of his own bipartisan deficit commission, which should have been a wake-up call. Many in Congress prefer to stay on the sidelines, using the issue to attack political opponents while refusing to put forward a plan of their own.

Senator Cornyn supports and has voted for a responsible plan to preserve and protect these programs for Texas' seniors and poor, ensuring they're there for future generations. The biggest driver of our unsustainable national debt is entitlement spending. Until these programs are responsibly reformed, they will remain in jeopardy for generations of Texans to come.

Source: Vote-USA.org on 2014 Texas Senate incumbents Oct 25, 2014

Emily Sanchez: Opposes privatizing Social Security

Q: Do you support or oppose privatizing Social Security?

A: Oppose.

Source: E-mail interview on Texas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues Sep 19, 2014

David Alameel: Vows to NEVER cut or privatize Social Security and Medicare

Q: How would you put Medicare on stronger financial ground and protect today's seniors and future retirees from rising health costs?

A: Social Security and Medicare are promises to the seniors who worked hard, paid into the system all their lives and made our country what it is today. In the Senate, David Alameel will always honor that promise because he understands that our seniors have earned a dignified retirement. He vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare and will fight any attempt to turn these programs over to Wall Street and privatize them."

Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2014 Texas Senate race Aug 31, 2014

David Alameel: Vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare

Social Security and Medicare are promises to the seniors who worked hard, paid into the system all their lives and made our country what it is today. In the Senate, David Alameel will always honor that promise because he understands that our seniors have earned a dignified retirement.

He vows to NEVER cut Social Security and Medicare and will fight any attempt by Washington politicians like John Cornyn to turn these programs over to Wall Street and privatize them.

Source: 2014 Texas Senate campaign website May 15, 2014

Ted Cruz: Raise retirement age; cap increases to inflation rate

Q: How would you protect Social Security for today's seniors and strengthen it for future generations?

A: On Social Security, I am campaigning on a series of very specific reforms. For seniors receiving Social Security or near Social Security, there should be no changes in benefits whatsoever. For younger workers, we need to do three fundamental reforms.

  1. Gradually increase the retirement age.
  2. Social Security benefits right now grow about 1% greater than inflation; we should have those benefits grow at the rate of inflation, not 1% more.
  3. Third change that I think is absolutely critical is to allow taxpayers to have a portion of the Social Security funds go to a personal account that they own and control.
    Source: Texas Tribune Interview in 2012 AARP Senate Voter Guide Aug 24, 2012

    Jon Roland: Eliminate social security as unconstitutional

    Source: Texas Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test May 2, 2008

    Ron Paul: Federal government won’t keep its entitlement promises

    When it comes to Social Security and Medicare, the federal government simply won’t be able to keep its promises in the future. That is the reality every American should get used to, despite the grand promises of Washington reformers. Our entitlement system can’t be reformed--it’s too late. And the Medicare prescription drug bill is the final nail in the coffin--costing at least $1 trillion in the first decade alone, and much more in following decades as the American population grows older.

    Don’t believe for a second that we can grow our way out of the problem through a prosperous economy that yields higher future tax revenues. To close the long-term entitlement gap, the US economy would have to grow by double digits every year for the next 75 years.

    The answer to these critical financial realities is simple, but not easy: We must rethink the very role of government in our society. Anything less, any tinkering or “reform,” won’t cut it.

    Source: Weekly column, “Texas Straight Talk” Mar 5, 2007

    Barbara Radnofsky: Privatization is a terrible idea

    Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

    JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives.

    RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize, and everybody knows that. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

    HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud. We owe it to our younger people to make sure that Social Security is there, and safe and solid for them. That means we need to reform Social Security now, because it will be much easier, and the longer we wait, the harder it will get.

    Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX (X-ref Hutch) Oct 19, 2006

    Kay Bailey Hutchison: Reform Social Security now, while it’s still easy

    Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

    JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives.

    RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize, and everybody knows that. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

    HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud. We owe it to our younger people to make sure that Social Security is there, and safe and solid for them. That means we need to reform Social Security now, because it will be much easier, and the longer we wait, the harder it will get.

    Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX Oct 19, 2006

    Scott Jameson: Replace entitlements with market alternatives

    Q: How do we afford growing Social Security entitlements while we extend tax breaks?

    JAMESON: The entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, are not actually legal obligations. Those are things that are given out at the discretion of the government. Last year they brought in $800 billion in Social Security taxes, and they paid out $500 billion. The other $300 billion disappeared. That kind of misappropriation of funds is why we’re told it’s going bankrupt. The Social Security system is not sustainable and I think we should look at market alternatives. The average Texan makes $40,000. If they invested their money in the market at 4.8%, they would be able to retire with $6,600 a month instead of $1,100 a month.

    RADNOFSKY: Privatization is a terrible idea. It would cost trillions if we do privatize. We must protect the Social Security fund from raiding.

    HUTCHISON: We do need to reform Social Security and we do need to make sure we are taking out the waste & fraud.

    Source: Texas 2006 Senate Debate, sponsored by LWV-TX Oct 19, 2006

    • The above quotations are from State of Texas Politicians: Archives.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2020 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
      Democrats running for President:
    Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
    V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
    Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
    Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
    Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
    Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
    Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
    Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
    Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
    Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
    CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
    Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
    CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

    2020 Third Party Candidates:
    Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
    CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
    Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Howard Schultz(I-WA)
    Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)     		Republicans running for President:
    Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
    Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
    Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
    V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
    Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
    Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
    Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
    Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

    2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
    Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
    Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
    Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
    Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
    Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
    Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
    Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
    Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
    Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
    Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
    Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
    Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
    Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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    Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021