Gunston Elementary School became a microcosm of America last Thursday night delineating both views of the Bush Administration's proposal to change Social Security funding. It was both generational and philosophical.
Even before entering the school on Gunston Road, constituents of U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-11), who had come to participate in his Town Meeting, were greeted by young demonstrators carrying placards reading "Fix Social Security Now."
And they carried their plea into the school cafeteria meeting area, holding their signs aloft throughout the two-hour session.
As part of a group called "Generations Together," a Washington, D.C., based, self-described "coalition for the modernization and protection of America's Social Security," they asked Davis, "Are you going to stand behind the President to fix it?"
He replied, "If you are asking am I ready to borrow another $2 trillion, the answer is no. But, we have to look at all the options on the table."
As one elderly constituent pointed out to Davis during the question and answer portion of the meeting, "I can appreciate the concerns of those carrying the signs. But, as far as their name "Generations Together," I haven't seen one that is out of their 20s. Even their brochure pictures [shows] only young people."
ADDING TO the debate were supporters of perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche. They were distributing a pamphlet entitled "Bush's Social Security Fraud."
LaRouche spokespersons were not only arguing against the administration's plan to create personal Social Security accounts based on investments in the stock market but also on the United States' escalating national debt and loss of manufacturing jobs. The main thrust of their argument was that America should return to the "programs of the Franklin Roosevelt era following the Great Depression."
Davis said, "The world has changed since then. We are a global economy whether we like it or not." He also referred to his rural childhood when people were lamenting the loss of the family farm and the so-called impending food crisis.
"Today, those people are prospering in technology and other professions. And, we are producing more food than we ever did before," he said.
Prior to entering into the Social Security discussion, Davis gave an overview of the federal budget and the national debt, based on figures from the Congressional Budget Office. "The debt is about where it has been over the last 30 years," he said.
"It has averaged an approximate 4.5 percent increase over each 10 year period," he said. Mandatory spending between 1988 and 2004 increased from 42 percent of the budget to 54 percent. And it is projected to become nearly 61 percent of the budget by 2015, according to Davis.
"Social Security had a $65 billion surplus last year," he said. However, the problem is that the government uses this money to pay for other programs and places an IOU against Social Security to be paid back in the future, according to Davis.
"The economy is doing pretty well and is projected to continue to do so over the next year. Employment is at a record high. Particularly in this area (Northern Virginia) where we have only a 1.4 percent unemployment rate," he said.
DAVIS EXPLAINED that in 1945 there were 42 people paying into Social Security for every one person drawing benefits. That eventually will decrease to a two to one ratio, according to Davis. "Between 2042 and 2052, depending on variables, is when the system will go broke if there are no changes," Davis said.
"There is a problem. And, the earlier you deal with a crisis, the better chance you have of solving it. Raising the age of retirement a couple of years is not that critical and saves a ton of money," he said.
That was done in 1987, Davis noted. "We don't have a specific plan as of now," he said. "But, the smartest thing we can do is stop over spending."
Joining Davis for the Town Meeting were state Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller (D-36), state Del. David B. Albo (R-42), and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerald "Gerry" Hyland (D). Prior to Davis's discussion of the federal budget and Social Security, Hyland said, "We have a number of subjects that need to be addressed in the Mount Vernon District."
Davis divided the meeting into two segments: One dealing with local issues and matters of personal concern to his constituents; and the other, to address Social Security questions.
LEADING OFF issues of personal concern was a question about the materiel and training being provided to regular U.S. Army personnel. One father, a veteran himself, told of his son not receiving proper equipment or training in preparation for possible deployment to a combat zone.
"I don't disagree that our regular Army troops need better equipment. But, the reservists and National Guard troops are in worse shape than the regular Army," Davis said. He also promised to investigate the particular situation the constituent had brought to his attention.
On other local subjects, Davis was informed of:
• Alleged racial and sexual discrimination within the federal bureaucracy that "has gone unaddressed," according to an employee of the General Services Administration.
• A lack of federal government managers endorsing teleworking to alleviate commuting congestion. "There is a management mentality in government that needs to see you there. We (Congress) have established teleworking centers but you can also work from your homes. The government is missing the boat by not recognizing these possibilities. We may have to get to the point were we mandate so much teleworking," he said.
• Hybrid vehicles clogging the HOV lanes on I-95 and 395. "Surveys show that there are more cheaters in the HOV lanes than hybrids causing the congestion. But, this is a state issue and federal intervention in state issues becomes very, very tricky," Davis said.
Other subjects of constituent concern ranged from ownership of the bridge over the CSX right-of-way that has been closed due to unsafe conditions, to revisions needed in the tax code, to environmental issues and his stand on drilling in the Alaska wildlife reserve.
On the latter subject, Davis said, "Alaska wants the drilling. I have voted against this consistently. We are going to have to find alternative sources of energy. Ultimately, we need more research and we need to develop more nuclear energy in this country."