As you can imagine, nothing <$Ad$>brings tears of joy to the TPM family more than striking a representative or senator from the rolls of the Fainthearted Faction. In fact, I’m tempted to say talk amongst yourselves, while I take a moment. But I’ll press on.
As we said earlier, Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia is out of the Fainthearted Faction. And out with a bang, it turns out.
You can read the constituent letter he’s now sending out here (the key passage is on page two).
But the key passage is this one (emphasis in the original) …
Information to date suggests that the reform proposal supported by the President would finace ISA’s [i.e., private accounts] by diverting a portion of the payroll taxes now paid into Social Security. I will oppose any such plan and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
If you have a moment, read the letter itself. It provides a detailed discussion of the policy issues involved, and in one passage even a rather stirring description of what Social Security is and why it’s so important.
And if you’re one of Rep. Moran’s constituents and you think the battle to defend Social Security from the president’s phase-out plan is an important one, maybe drop him a line and tell him you appreciate his stand.
