Scavo convicted; where's it gonna lead?

Vito Scavo, the former Melrose Park chief of police, was convicted of 22 of 22 counts of corruption today. Also convicted were Gary Montino, Scavo's deputy chief, and Michael Wynn. Scavo faces up to 20 years in prison. See Proviso Herald (Jolie Lee), Chicago Tribune (Mike Robinson, AP), ABC7 (Chuck Goudie) or CBS2 (STNG).

What can I add?

Some people involved in Proviso politics like Jesse Martinez and Mike Manzo (both of whom have run against Ron Serpico for village president of Melrose Park) see Ron Serpico as being the central figure in bad (if not corrupt) government in in Proviso Township.

In the indictment against Scavo some of the malfeasance goes back to 1996. August Taddeo was village president until at least 1998.

So, it seems possible that Scavo was "the big fish" and Serpico was Scavo's guy. The Melrose Park police force provided the base of power in the Village of Melrose Park. Scavo picked Serpico to be his candidate for village president because he knew Serpico wouldn't interfere with the criminal schemes Scavo was running in the police department.

Serpico didn't have an intention of reforming things, but the corruption was there before he arrived.

What are the pieces of the puzzle?

Scavo was convicted and will now be looking to cut a deal. With whom did Scavo have interactions with?

Serpico
District 209 (Scavo's security company was paid to guard the PMSA building)
Who else?

Anthony Bruno has been charged with tax evasion. With whom did Bruno have interactions?

Ric Cervone, a former board member at District 89 (Maywood and Melrose Park elementary schools), was charged in the same indictment that convicted Scavo. With whom did Cervone interact?

Who else is in the mix?

forum: Bellwood and Maywood candidates for village president

Last night West Suburban Journal sponsored a forum for Bellwood and Maywood candidates for village president (popularly called "mayor"). Neighborhood United Methodist Church hosted the forum. From Bellwood Jeanette Johnson had the stage to herself because incumbent Frank Pasquale declined to participate.

From Maywood all three candidates participated. Seated from left to right on the stage was Grady Rivers (Proviso Township Clerk and president of the board of education District 89), Demetrius Davis, Henderson Yarbrough.

Before the forum began Davis, Rivers and Yarbrough responded to the following questions in writing.

• What is your vision for the village?
• What are three things you will attempt to do if elected?
• What is the probability each will succeed?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the village?
• What are the opportunities and threats?

Below are the answers provided. (It's going to take me a little time to type Rivers' response because he sent it by fax. The others were emailed.)

The candidates also offered to respond to questions that did not get included in the forum in writing. If you have questions you can email them to me at RadioNyberg circled "a" Yah00 spot C0M or greatdebate circled "a" westsuburbanjournal spot C0M.

Davis:

What is your vision for the village?

My vision is to transform Maywood into the "pace-setting" community of the western suburbs. The Maywood of tomorrow will be a diverse community of residents expressing deep love for both their neighbors and neighborhood. 5th Avenue will once again be the vibrant downtown section that it once was. Unique boutiques, shops, and eateries will line both sides of the street. The "Town Center" (1st/Eisenhower) will serve as our retail and entertain complex. This area will house big box retailers as well as entertainment venues such as a bowling alley, skating rink, video arcade, and a fine arts theater. Finally, my vision for Maywood includes weeding out the criminal elements infecting the town to provide a safe environment for families and businesses to thrive.


What are three things you will attempt to do if elected?

1.) Provide Safe Streets by increasing the number of police on patrol, and by launching a full assault on gangs and drugs

2.) Provide New Jobs by hiring seasonal employees within public works, providing summer jobs for youth, and requiring 5th Ave road improvement contractors to hire a certain percentage of Maywoodians.

3.) Attract New Businesses by using our available resources to attract businesses through incentives.

What is the probability each will succeed?

There is a high probability each will succeed, but it will be a collaborative effort between government and citizens. The community must be supportive of their mayor abandoning the status quo and calling the entire village to a higher standard.


What are the strengths and weaknesses of the village?

Strengths:

Location
Resilient Residents
Rich Tradition
Diversity

Weaknesses:

Crime
Poor Leadership
Politically Divided
High Number of Foreclosures
High Property Taxes
Poor Schools
Lack of Businesses
High Unemployment

What are the opportunities and threats?

Opportunities:

The Most Vacant Land in Western Suburbs
TIF and Empowerment Zone
Residents Ready for Change
Attractive Location

Threats:

Low Employee Morale
Poor Reputation
High Unemployment
High Drug Abuse
Political Division
Poor Educational System

Yarbrough:

What is your vision for the village?

In the last four years the village of Maywood has reshaped its image from a community primarily known for crime, poor service and lack of professionalism to a village that is proactively addressing issues of public safety, service and 21st Century professional management. Moving forward, my vision of Maywood is a West Cook leader for developers looking for business prospects. Additionally, my vision of Maywood is as a destination tourists want to come to for its unique history, its showcase homes and what will be an economic development boon that will draw shoppers from throughout the Chicago-land area and beyond. Also in that vision is a hope of improved public education, which is a major factor in how families choose where to live.

What are three things you will attempt to do if re-elected?

My administration will continue its efforts to improve public safety, develop our next phase of economic development, and further accelerate our efforts to deal with infrastructure needs.

What are the probabilities each will succeed?

In the area of public safety, I look to a continuation of reduced crime and increased arrests and convictions. The 77 security cameras, the tightening of our ordinances dealing with graffiti and prostitution, the stepped up vigilance and visibility of our police officers and our efforts to patrol in collaboration with our county, state, other villages and Cease-Fire partners all result in a safer community. Maywood will continue to increase public safety.

We are very satisfied with the first phase of our economic development plan—finalizing our Comprehensive Plan and updating our zoning to reflect contemporary Maywood realities. Additionally, we have “shopped” our villages through numerous conferences and seminars and have developed solid relationships with proven developers who await a brighter economy before being able to finalize a development. Most importantly, we have gained control of a significant amount of land, which gives us leverage in dealing directly with developers without having to deal with property owners. Therefore, our economic development planning will result in many new businesses opening in Maywood.

Our on-going relationships with elected officials on the federal and state level have resulted in significant grant monies for infrastructure. This year’s ambitious capital improvement plan will yield $15 million for projects in key Maywood roadways—5th Avenue; Lake Street; Madison Avenue; Roosevelt Road; 9th Avenue and others. Those projects include roadway improvements, sidewalks, gutters, curbs and lighting. We will be getting funds to fix some long-standing water main problems and drainage problems which are exacerbated every time it rains. I am proud to say for the first time in recent history we have allocated dollars to pave alleys and will look for additional funds to pave more alleys.


What are the strengths and weaknesses of the village?

I have already talked a lot about Maywood’s strengths; in short, Maywood is the equal to any West Cook village. If Maywood has a weakness, it is the perception that Maywood is inferior to its neighbors and will never get better. There are nay-sayers and stone-throwers who would rather criticize from afar than get involved in continuing our efforts to move Maywood forward. I applaud the 100 or so commissioners who serve our village as volunteers in many capacities. I applaud our special events committee, which has helped Maywood build a new community spirit by their involvement in our movie nights, our family fests, and our holiday special events. I have experienced the wonder of our new senior club, which every Friday provides fun and fellowship for our most treasured citizens. I am very pleased that our M.A.P.S. program of community-police engagement continues to grow and help all of us become crime fighters. To those who find comfort in hurling insults from sidelines, I challenge you to come on the playing field and help make Maywood better.

What are the opportunities and threats?

As Maywood continues to progress in all ways, the opportunities are limitless. We can be the economic engine for the West Cook suburbs; we can be the model community that illustrates diversity can work; we can continue to hold the line on taxes yet operate in the black while delivering professional, efficient services to all our residents; if public education in the district is reformed, we can advertise our village as a model community within which to raise a family. There are only two threats—an economy that presents infinite challenges both now and for the immediate future; and a gnawing yet happily reduced number of nay-sayers who don’t believe that Maywood can truly take its place as a community leader. I am both an optimist and a realist. I believe in Maywood and look forward to leading my village to a new and brighter future.

Rivers:

What is your vision for the village?

My vision for Maywood is for it to be a community that all residents can be proud of because it is sage and a great place to raise a family in. I envision a town with robust economic development, and good recreational facilities for our children. In order to do this we must get a handle on crime so my focus will be on working with our local police department as well as state and federal agencies in order to battle the gangs and drug dealers that plaque (sic) our community.

What are three things you will attempt to do if elected?

1.When elected I will work to change the image of the village, because as long as we are viewed in a negative light it makes it difficult to move forward in a positive manner.
2. I will fully implement the park district referendum that was overwhelmingly approved a couple of years ago. This is how we improve recreational opportunities in Maywood and our parks should be under one entity the Maywood park district because all they deal with is recreation, if you look at the successful park districts in our area for example veterans park district in Melrose park (sic) and memorial park district in Bellwood all they deal with is recreation. The current situation in Maywood where you have the village recreation department which levies a tax and then you get taxed again by the Maywood park district is unfair and has been proven to be unsuccessful.
3. I will establish a better business bureau in town in order to promote Maywood as a viable business destination, and help current business be successful.

What is the probability each will succeed?

I don't see any reason why these goals can't be accomplished with strong leadership.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the village?

One of our greatest strengths is the location of our village, people want to be close to the city. The north south dividing line for Chicago is Madison st. (sic) which runs right through the center of our town. We have the railroad that runs along st. charles rd. and the Eisenhower expressway on the south end of town. Also most maywoodians take great pride in our community, anyone who has lived here the last few decades remembers what a nice place Maywood used to be and realizes our great potential.

One of our biggest weaknesses I believe is the image people have of Maywood because of our high crime rate. It has led some people to give up on our village and has contributed to business not wanting to invest here.

There also seems to be a lack of faith in our political leaders. We need strong leadership in order to succeed.

What are the opportunities and threats?

Opportunities are numerous the Roosevelt road corridor needs to be developed. Loyola hospital needs restaurants, and a hotel. Loyola is our areas biggest employer yet they are hardly mentioned in Maywoods comprehensive plan. We need a full service grocery store, the downtown area (5th ave) stands mostly abandoned. Our biggest parcel of open space, the old comed property at 1st ave. and the Eisenhower must be developed these are great opportunities that must be taken advantage of.

The biggest threats to Maywood are the high unemployment rate, high taxes, gangs and drugs all are tough problems but with bold leadership they can be overcome.

Is it St. Patrick's Day?

Remember, the Irish lived under a brutal oppression by the English. Before there was English oppressing Africans in Rhodesia and South Africa, before English oppression of Indigenous Australians, before the English subjugated Hindus and Muslims on the Subcontinent, the English were practicing how to control a foreign people in Ireland.

The greatest grievance of the Irish against the English was the Great Famine, aka the Irish Potato Famine, 1845-52.

When the Civil War began in 1861, the United States conscripted large numbers of Irish to fight against the Confederacy. In 1863, people opposed to conscription held demonstrations that turned into the New York Draft Riots which...

the protests degraded into "a virtual racial pogrom, with uncounted numbers of blacks murdered on the streets". The conditions in the city were such that Major General John E. Wool stated on July 16, "Martial law ought to be proclaimed, but I have not a sufficient force to enforce it." The military suppressed the mob using artillery and fixed bayonets, but not before numerous buildings were ransacked or destroyed, including many homes and an orphanage for black children.

David Kincaid

Here's some more Irish music for St. Patrick's Day.




Those videos are from The Pogues.

Sunday, I went to the South Side Irish Parade. My girlfriend and I left early and went for a bite and drinks at North Eye's Bar, 2701 W. 87th, Chicago. A local had told us it was an Irish bar frequented by cops and firefighters. The bar is decorated with the posters that portray a romanticized version of Ireland. (Malachy McCourt, the brother of Frank McCourt, has been very critical of Irish-Americans who neglect the real issues facing Ireland by romanticizing Ireland excessively.) The bar also had a sign about the kitchen, "Help Wanted, No Irish Need Apply".

The bar had the South Side parade on the television (ABC-7). The announcer mentioned that President Barack Obama has Irish ancestry. One of the guys at the bar chimes in that Obama is from "the County of Coon". This guy further expounded that if the government didn't force neighborhoods to change there wouldn't be any hate crimes. I didn't engage him on the details of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919. This guy was no old-times, he looked to be in his early 20s.

Yarbrough excludes media from D209 candidate forum

On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Proviso Township Democratic Organization (PTDO), the political organization of Karen Yarbrough, who is both a state representative and the Democratic Committeeman for Proviso Township, invited me by email to attend the Saturday meeting at 10:00 AM on February 28, 2009.

The invitation listed four candidates for the board of education, Proviso Township High Schools (District 209): E. Chris Welch, Reatha Sue Henry, Dan Adams and Brian Cross. These four are all incumbents and all part of one slate. (See more of the invite below.)

Welch ran against Yarbrough for state representative in 2006. The defining ideology of Yarbrough's political organization seemed to be opposition to former Proviso Democratic Committeeman Eugene Moore and hatred of Welch, who has a knack for making enemies.

Friday, February 27, at 9:59 PM Yarbrough sent me a text, "no endorsements for schools and no media tomorrow." I responded within 10 minutes, "What's that mean for me?" Yarbrough did not respond.

On Saturday, February 28, I arrived about 10 minutes early for the 10 AM meeting. I entered behind Rory Hoskins, a Forest Park commissioner and president of PTDO, and helped myself to a doughnut.

When Yarbrough arrived she didn't greet me, but referred to her text from the night before.

I asked, "Are you asking me to leave?"

Yarbrough responded, "I told you not to come."

Along the way she mentioned Josh Adams, editor of the Forest Park Review also requested to attend the meeting. Yarbrough allying with Welch shakes up the political factions in local politics.

Text of PTDO invitation sent to me:

PROVISO TOWNSHIP DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION
REMINDER
from President Rory Hoskins

Proviso Township Democratic Organization's Saturday Meeting
DATE: Saturday, February 28th, 2009

TIME: 10:00 AM

LOCATION: 2301 W. Roosevelt Road

Broadview, IL 60155

Phone: 708-344-7062

Agenda Items:

* Meet District 209 Incumbent Candidates

E. Chris Welch

Reatha Sue Henry

Dan Adams

Brian Cross


PTDO Mission Statement
The Proviso Township Democratic Org., in coordination with the state and national Democratic Party, is committed to the principles of honest, open and progressive government and to increasing voter participation in the electoral process. PTDO is open to all persons, regardless of their race, age, gender, creed, religion, sexual orientation or economic status. [emphasis added]

Message from Karen:

It's been a busy time for all of us however we must do our due diligence in making selections for endorsement. The next few meetings will be spent hearing from candidates who's name will appear on the April 7th election. In the case of local elections, those who are members of the organization will be able to present their candidacy to the group.

Please note that all of these elections are
NON-PARTISAN. (meaning neither Democrat or Republican)


See you there!


PS: Only paid up dues members will be eligible to vote.


Karen A. Yarbrough
Commiteeman

Karen Yarbrough wants you to meet the candidates

Proviso Township Democratic Organization, the political organization of Democratic Committeeman Karen Yarbrough, has invited members to meet four candidates for the Proviso Township High Schools (District 209) board of education.

When? 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 28, 2009
Where? 2301 W. Roosevelt Road, Broadview, IL

The candidates:

Emanuel "Chris" Welch
Reatha "Sue" Henry
Dan Adams
Brian Cross

To participate in the meeting, call Readith Ester, 708-344-7062.

IL-05 Dems on military issues and executive power

In the special election for IL-05 (which includes Northlake and most of Melrose Park in Proviso Township) there will be a candidate forum Sunday, February 22, 1:30 - 4:00 PM at VFW Post 1284, 6940 W Diversey Ave, Chicago. I don't know which candidates will be there.

When I spoke to Jan Donatelli last week she made the point that the different forums tend to ask the same questions over and over. The field of candidates have been asked about the stimulus bill at every forum.

I do think that people organizing and moderating the questions at these forums should research the stuff that's been asked before. Much (most?) of it is available online.

I'm hoping the VFW forum will focus on matters of the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and the State Department.

In preparation for the forum I pulled the Democratic answers from the IVI-IPO candidate questionnaires.

7.Do you agree with the current proposed level of funding for the military?

Carlos Monteagudo:

No. At a cost of 20 billion dollars a week, the moneys spent on executing the war in Iraq could be better used on activisties that would dramatically increase our heath, economic and global security.... (click here and scroll to #7 for the complete answer)

Mike Quigley (answer):

No. I believe there are savings tat can be found at the Pentagon that would probably be better spent on things like energy research and diplomacy, both issues that also promote our national security.

Charlie Wheelan (answer):

No. I believe we need a well-funded military, however, the Pentagon budget must reflect the priorities and needs of the wars we are currently fighting. I'd like to see some of the funds shifted to the Department of Veterans Affairs to support those who have served already and for funds to be added to the Department of State for additional diplomatic activity. We need to significantly improve the funding for the State Department and other non-military international activities.

Frank Annunzio:

No. Military spending has more than doubled since 2001 and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost 170 billion dollars this year alone. I believe we should cut military spending in half over the next 5 years and utilize the money to buy down our debt, ensure that we never again have homeless veterans, and implementation of a single payer health care system.

Paul Bryar (answer):

No. President Obama has not yet proposed his military funding level. I believe that it should be different from the latest funding by the last administration. It should take into account re-shaping our military to deal with the threats of the 21st century.

Sara Feigenholtz (answer):

No. We need to direct more resources to provide assistance for return veterans and their families and work to expand access to health care services, including treatment for mental illnesses like PTSD.

Victor Forys:

Yes. I woul like to see the military spend more money on veterans services like traumatic brain injury, mental illness and PTSD which are currently not getting fully funded. I'd also like to see pay for enlisted personnel increased.

John Fritchey (answer):

No. As we withdraw from Iraq we must lower appropriations both to the overall Defense budget and the Global War on Terror supplement. President Obama plans to reduce Defense spending by 10%, and I believe we must continue to eliminate waste from the Department's operations, particularly in long-term weapon systems purchasing where costs continuously overrun projections. In general, a refocus on diplomacy should be accompanied by an increase in funding for State Department and particularly USAID programs, and a decrease in disproportionate military spending. One of our first priorities, however, must be to ensure our troops are fully and properly equipped to face whatever missions they are assigned.

Tom Geoghegan (answer):

No. We need to draw down our deployment levels in countries that are stable democracies like those in western Europe. These funds can be better deployed converting our energy systems to renewable sources and away from fossil fuels.

With the possible exception of Bryar, it seems like all the candidates favor reprogramming money now spent on the military (Department of Defense) to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of State and energy research. I give Annunzio props for significantly cutting the DOD and using the money for converting to a single-payer health care system.

But if the Democrats agree that military spending should be cut, why hasn't it happened? In Democratic Congresses and under Democratic presidents military spending has increased. Why will it be different now?

Since there is little difference between the candidates on the military budget question, I'm going to include other questions about executive branch power.

10.Would you support congressional investigations into government contractors that have participated in Human Rights violations such as the rendition/torture flights?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo, Quigley
No: Wheelan
Quigley expanded:

If violations of the law are clear, then we must have accountability.

11. Would you support legislation banning such activities in the question above?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo, Wheelan
No: none
Declined yes/no answer: Quigley
Quigley:

I'm unsure as to the question. If there were human rights violations, they are already covered by US law.

12. Will you support legislation guaranteeing the protections of the Geneva Conventions and the US Constitution to “enemy combatants” or others similarly detained by the US Government anywhere in the world?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo, Wheelan
No: none
Declined yes/no answer: Quigley

Quigley:

The constitution provides a means by which to legally address enemy combatants through international treaties. I think it is time to revisit the Geneva Conventions now that international, stateless enemies exist.

65.Would you support Congressional investigations of wrong-doing under the Bush administration?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo
No: Wheelan
Declined yes/no answer: Quigley

Forys expanded answer:

We are a country of laws not of me. We will not know where we are, unless we know where we came from. The statute of limitations has not passed on the crimes that were committed by the Bush Administration.

I graduated from UIC with a degree in Criminal Justice. Societies that do not provide justice to all their individuals can never be stable or free.

Monteagudo expanded answer:

Yes but not at the expense of getting things done in Congress moving forward. We must not get mired down in a criminal investigation or hearing that would take years to prosecute and could lead to viscous partisan bickering and government paralysis. I would rather see something like a truth and reconciliation commission created.

Quigley:

I believe we must move forward, but in instances of clear wrong-doing, we have to hold people accountable.

103. Do you support changes to the Military Commissions Act?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo, Quigley
No: Wheelan

107/108. Would you support legislation authorizing or prohibiting secret military tribunals?

Annunzio:

I do not support any type of military tribunal. This is unfair on many levels. We must ensure civil liberties for all.

Bryar:

I believe that secret military tribunals should be prohibited.

Feigenholtz:

I have always been a fierce supporter of the due proces for all individuals detained by American law enforcement. A secret military tribunal does not allow for this.

Forys:

I would support legislation prohibiting secret military tribunals.

Fritchey:

I would support legislation prohibiting secret military tribunals. As President Obama has said, we must reject the false choice between our ideals and our security. The secret military tribunals haphazardly fashioned by the Bush administration do not provide internationally accepted due process to prisoners in the war on terror, and have incited our enemies while alienating our allies. I was encouraged by President Obama's rapid steps to begin closing the Guantanamo Bay prison facility and I support a continued redesign of our anti-terrorism programs.

Geoghegan:

I do not support Secret Military Tribunals.

Monteagudo's answer began,

“Secret military tribunals are a dangerous affront to international rules of conduct....” Click link and scroll to #108 for the complete answer.

Quigley:

There are instances where trials must be conducted in secret to protect classified information, but they should be reviewed by Congress so that there is somebodyy accountable to the people involved.

Wheelan:

Our justice system is predicated on fair and open trials. Defendants in even the most terrible of crimes are entitled certain rights. Secret military tribunals would violate those basic rights.

109. Do you support legislation banning torture and inhumane treatment of detainees under US control?
Yes: Annunzio, Bryar, Feigenholtz, Forys, Fritchey, Geoghegan, Monteagudo, Quigley, Wheelan
No: none

Illinois issuing Obama license plates

Where there's a Will, there's a way posted a pic Illinois' Obama license plates.

Part of me thinks it's cool.

But part of me sees this as being more the same than different when politicians plaster there names on stuff, like Rod Blagojevich putting his name on the toll plazas.

I would prefer that this commemoration wait until after Obama has served as President of the United States.

Here's an idea: Illinois can sell customized license plates made by our celebrity political criminals, George Ryan, Tony Rezko, Dan Rostenkowski, Mel Reynolds, etc. The plates could be serialized. What would you bid for "George Ryan #1"?

BREAKING: Proviso Dem Committeeman thinks Roland Burris should resign!

In the last few days evidence has emerged that Sen. Roland Burris made misleading, untrue and false statements to the Illinois House impeachment committee that considered charges against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Chicago Tribune has called for Blagojevich to resign. Cook County Clerk David Orr, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley (also a Dem candidate for Congress in IL-05) and State Rep. Susana Mendoza have all called for Burris to resign.

Last night I texted the question, "Should Roland Burris resign as U.S. Senator?" to Rep. Karen Yarbrough who is also the Democratic Committeeman for Proviso Township. Proviso Township has the second most Democratic voters of any ward or township in Cook County.

This morning at 8:03 AM, Yarbrough responded, "Yes".

IL05 Dems on Social Security

Once again I've taken candidate responses to the IVI-IPO candidate questionnaire. I'm trying to pull out the issues that are the most important from the 140+ questions.

47. What changes, if any, do you support regarding Social Security?

Victor Forys:

I oppose privatizing Social Security. I do not believe we need to make changes at this time. I support a bipartisan commission that will make long term recommendations that will ensure the solvency of Social Security. Social Security is solvent for decades to come and we must continue to ensure its long term viability by getting our financial house in order, regulating financial institutions and keeping the economy strong.

John Fritchey:

To fully fund Social Security I favor a modest raise in the cap on payroll taxes for higher income Americans....

Tom Geoghegan:

I want to expand Social Security, our public pension system, to replace, not overnight but in stages, the private pension system which has collapsed. Social Security now pays 38 to 39 percent of your working income. In other developed countries, it averages 65 percent....

Carlos Monteagudo is skeptical of claims there is a shortfall that threatens Social Security benefits. His advocates studying the issue. His first response will be to see if small adjustments to the “cost of living allowance” (COLA) will address any shortfall.

Mike Quigley:

We have to deal with Medicare first. Social Security is solvent for decades and it is the most successful government program in history. We need to maintain this program, especially now in economically difficult times.

Charlie Wheelan:

The tools for restoring the long-term health of Social Security are straightforward well known.... We must enact some combination of the following four policies to ensure social security's long-term solvency:

1.Reduce benefits of future retirees (most likely by raising the retirement age, or by taxing the benefits of higher income retirees)....

2.Increase the payroll tax, either by raising the tax rate (currently 12.4% split between employers and employees) or raising the cap so that the tax is levied beyond the current cap of $102,000.

3.Allow more young immigrants into the U.S., so they can begin paying taxes into the system.

4.Increase worker productivity so existing tax rates can generate enough new revenue to fund the extra burden of an aging population. This is a lovely solution but we have no direct control over productivity.

I would likely support some combination of these measures. The most logical would be to increase the retirement age (since life expectancy has grown far beyond what it was when the program was designed) and raising the cap so the payroll tax is collected on a higher proportion of the incomes of wealthy Americans.

Wheelan went on to raise concerns about Medicare.


Frank Annunzio:

I would change the taxable income to a much higher level of $500,000 and from $125,000 to $500,000 would be taxed at a 1.5% higher rate.

Paul Bryar:

I believe our Social Security system should remain public. I oppose privatization of Social Security....

Sara Feigenholtz:

Jumpstarting the economy to create jobs will mean more workers paying into the system, which is exactly what Social Security needs right now.

Providing strong protections against any moves to privatize social security is also an immediate priority....

Currently the wages subject to the Social Security tax are capped at approximately the first $100,000 of income. As part of keeping Social Security solvent in the long-term, Congress might consider lifting or adjusting that cap.

While protecting Social Security, we must seek to help Americans save more for retirement. I support proposals to promote employer-sponsored savings plans, such as 401(k)s, as well as tax credits to encourage working families to put more of their income into savings plans.

If you want a more robust Social Security retirement program, Geoghegan is your candidate.

The concensus among the other candidates seems to be that to the extent there is a shortfall it should be covered by raising the cap on FICA withholdings. Currently Americans pay FICA taxes on the first $102,000 of salary, wages and other non-investment compensation. By raising this amount to $202,000 the government would collect an extra $12,400 from each person making $202,000 per year or more. This is arguably a stiff tax increase for people making $150-250,000 per year.

Forys' call for a bipartisan commission is a teachable moment. The Republican Party—the hardcore Republican activists—were opposed to Social Security when it was created and favor dismantling the program. At one event Republican activists were chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Social Security has to go!” (You can watch it on You Tube.) Part of the GOP opposition is ideological; part of it is practical. Successful government programs make citizens feel more comfortable seeking government solutions to other problems. As Quigley noted, Social Security is the most successful government program in history. If the GOP can radically reduce Social Security than no government program is safe.

So Forys is being naïve about having a bipartisan commission on Social Security. The current Republicans didn't negotiate in good faith when they were in the majority. The aren't negotiating in good faith now that they are in the minority. So, why should anyone expect the GOP to negotiate in good faith as part of a bipartisan commission on Social Security?

Quigley and Wheelan are correct to identify Medicare as being a more imminent problem than Social Security. To the extent Social Security will be a problem the problem will arrive in 30-40 years. Medicare taxes will be insufficient to pay guaranteed benefits in the near future.

Wheelan's response is textbook. You can learn from reading his answer. His comments about productivity reflect his ideological perspective.

Wheelan beliefs in the supply-demand paradigm so completely that he thinks people are paid based on how productive they are. I disagree. U.S. society produces a certain amount of goods and services. And the remuneration for these goods and services are distributed according to a system that values assholes who write bad loans and doesn't value women who care for children.

If we had a system that didn't compensate high-end professionals quite so lavishly we could afford to pay regular folk better.

For another example, unionized auto workers working for American companies get paid more than non-unionized workers working for Japanese companies in the South. If the federal government made it easier for workers to unionize they would make more money. On paper they would seem more productive to people like Wheelan because they would make more money.

So, passsing laws that make it easier to unionize would pushback (or eliminate) the date of reckoning for Social Security. But Wheelan is so committed to his supply-demand ideology that people are paid according to their productivity that he doesn't even consider raising the pay of regular folk.

I'm a little surprised that Feigenholtz favors encouraging employer-sponsored savings plans with tax credits. Low-income families don't pay federal income taxes, so the idea that low-income families can be encouraged to save through tax credits reflects ignorance of the federal tax code or that Feigenholtz has the most facile understanding of policy. Unfortunately, Feigenholtz seems to avoid policy specifics. Her comments about employer-sponsored savings plans make me suspect that Feigenholtz's vague answers on other policy matters means that she just doesn't know much about policy issues.