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PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Contact: John Kartch ( jkartch@atr.org or 202-785-0266)

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10/14/04

John Kerry Impersonates an Ostrich
Candidate's buries his head in the sand and pretends there is no problem with Social Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - When it comes to Social Security, John Kerry is out of touch with reality. If America is going to preserve Social Security, the system will need serious reform, but Kerry refuses to admit there is even a problem.

Social Security is suffering from a huge demographics problem. Fifty years ago, there were 16 workers paying for every one retiree, but today, there are only 3.3 workers for each recipient, and the ratio will severely worsen as Baby Boomers retire. Social Security is an $11 trillion dollar unfunded liability that must be paid for. Action must be taken or the Social Security will be bankrupt by 2018, but John Kerry doesn't have a plan to deal with it. "If later on after a period of time we find that Social Security is in trouble, we'll pull together the top experts of the country," said Kerry when describing what he would do during last nights Presidential debate.

"John Kerry's do nothing stance on Social Security is flat out dangerous," said ATR President Grover Norquist. "John Kerry wants seniors citizens to think that the status quo on Social Security is ok, but that is just not true."

Social Security reform desperately needs to be fixed during the next Presidential administration, but would likely do nothing. Kerry's do-nothing strategy would leave America with two grim choices; eliminate Social Security, or stick taxpayers with a crippling $11 trillion dollar tax hike. Neither solution is acceptable.

"America can not afford to take the John Kerry approach and hide from the Social Security problem," said ATR President Grover Norquist. "If seniors want to keep their benefits, then America must start to reform the system now."

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases.  For more information, or to arrange an interview with Mr. Norquist please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.