Choosing to Keep It Going

Romney World issues press release: "RICK PERRY: RECKLESS, WRONG ON SOCIAL SECURITY."

RICK PERRY: RECKLESS, WRONG ON SOCIAL SECURITY

"Our nominee has to be someone who isn't committed to abolishing Social Security, but who is committed to saving Social Security." - Mitt Romney

Governor Perry Believes Social Security Should Not Exist:

Perry Does Not Believe Social Security Should Exist, Asking: "Why Is The Federal Government Even In The Pension Program.?" PERRY: "When you look at Social Security, it's broke. . Get it back to the states. Why is the federal government even in the pension program or the health care delivery program? Let the states do it. . That, I will suggest to you, is one of the ways this federal government can get out of our business, save a lot of money and get back to that Constitutional way of doing business in those enumerated powers that they're supposed to have." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 11/5/10)

"[A Perry Spokesman] Refused To Explicitly Deny That Perry Wants To 'End' The Program, Despite Repeated Attempts . To Clarify Perry's Stance." (Huffington Post, 9/8/11)

In Fed Up!, Perry Says Social Security Is In Place "At The Expense Of Respect For The Constitution." "Social Security is something that we've been forced to accept for more than 70 years now. . at the expense of respect for the Constitution and limited government." (Rick Perry, Fed Up!, 2010, p. 50)

Perry: "Let The States [Decide] How To Run The Pensions." PERRY: "There's a number of things in that book that will strike Americans as horrifying. And we must, as a people, get put back in the box. Get this government back to the limited form that our founding fathers sought. Let the states, whether it is how to run Medicaid, how to run the pensions." (FOX's "On The Record With Greta Van Susteren," 11/8/10)

Perry: "By Any Measure, Social Security Is A Failure." (Rick Perry, Fed Up!, 2010, p. 62)

Governor Romney Believes Social Security Should Be Fixed For Current And Future Retirees:

Mitt Romney Believes In Entitlement Reform That Preserves Benefits For Current And Future Retirees While Ensuring Long-Term Solvency. "Any serious attempt to rein in spending will have to include entitlement reform. This issue is among the most complex facing policymakers, but some basic principles guide Mitt Romney's position. First, we must keep the promises made to our current retirees: their Social Security and Medicare benefits should not be affected. But second, we should ensure that the promises that we make to younger generations are promises we can keep. With respect to Social Security, there are a number of options that can be pursued to keep the system solvent - from raising the eligibility age to changing the way benefits are indexed to inflation for high-income retirees." (Romney for President, "Believe In America: Mitt Romney's Plan For Jobs And Economic Growth," 2011, p. 142)

Romney: "Our Nominee Has To Be Someone Who Isn't Committed To Abolishing Social Security, But Who Is Committed To Saving Social Security." (Mitt Romney, Remarks At GOP Presidential Debate, 9/7/11)