Rural-state Democrats and farm groups this afternoon warned that revamping Social Security with private accounts would disproportionately hurt rural Americans, who rely more heavily on the program for retirement, survivor and disability benefits. Senate Finance ranking member Max Baucus, D-Mont., said carving out private accounts from Social Security would add $5 trillion to the national debt and result in reduced benefits. "It is even worse in our states. It hurts rural states more than other states," Baucus said. "Seniors in Manhattan, Mont., depend much more on Social Security than do seniors in Manhattan, New York." Baucus said Democrats are willing to work with President Bush on Social Security if he publicly takes personal accounts out of the debate, and said until then Democrats would not relent their opposition to them. "It's only time to declare victory when it's off the table," he said.
Baucus spoke at a news conference to announce the launch of Rural Americans for a Secure Future, a coalition of farm and rural advocacy groups that includes the American Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Family Farm Coalition and League of Rural Voters. Speaking for the new group, League of Rural Voters executive director Niel Ritchie said the coalition would be active on the issue in town halls, county fairs and other events over the summer. "It is essential that rural voices be heard in the debate over Social Security privatization," he said. The rural effort is also being coordinated by Americans United to Protect Social Security, which has organized state and national efforts against private accounts.
The group also released a summary report by the liberal Institute for America's Future that said rural communities rely more heavily on Social Security for income; that rural counties have higher senior populations; that rural senior women rely heavily on Social Security; and that farm communities rely heavily on disability benefits because of the dangers of farming. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said Social Security provides an "economic insurance policy" for farmers and rural residents, whose incomes can be affected by the weather and disability. "There is risk enough already," Stabenow said. "Social Security is one of those things that people in rural America have paid into and they can count on."National Journal's CongressDaily
