Finally, someone sticks up for Rep. Allen Boyd (D) of Florida, Dean of the Fainthearted Faction.
A letter to the editor in today’s Tallahassee Democrat …
Social Security has always been considered the third rail of American politics. This year, President Bush as made it clear that the time has come for an honest, straightforward, and realistic discussion about its future.
I commend District 2 Congressman Allen Boyd for his conviction to stand up to those in his own political party and do what is right for the future of Social Security.
Yes, he is a Democrat and I am a Republican and the former chairman of the subcommittee on Social Security in Congress. In politics there is always a temptation to kick the can down the road and hope that problems might disappear. That is not how Congressman Boyd views his job.
He knows that the longer we wait to address the coming crisis, the more difficult and expensive the job will be down the line. So in this new term, along with Boyd’s leadership, we will save Social Security for all time, and put it on a path to permanent solvency and stability.
We will need bipartisan commitment in the months ahead. Both parties will be tempted to use Social Security as a political football. Yet, we should all recognize that playing politics with Social Security is playing politics with the future of our children and our grandchildren.
CLAY SHAW
U.S. Rep., R-Fort Lauderdale
Shaw, as it happens, has had a few flirtations with <$NoAd$> the Conscience Caucus.
(ed.note: A note of thanks to TPM reader GA for the catch.)
