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The new math 2004

The New MathWhen I was an elementary student, I’m sure I was taught somewhere along the way that 50 percent plus one equaled a majority. That was in math class. Somewhere along the way, I learned in social studies that we live in a democracy and that a democracy is based on majority rule. Those are some basics that kids are still learning today.

However, let’s look at the numbers: 300 + 31 + 20 + 1 = 0

Those are the numbers for the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). But look at how they add up.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, we have 300 co-sponsors. Out of a total Congressional delegation of 435, that is a clear bipartisan majority—68 percent! However, one person, Rep.

Story update

Since early May, NEA and Reps. McKeon and Berman, the major sponsors of H.R. 594, the Social Security Fairness Act, have been meeting with Congressman Shaw to see what could be done to move the bill forward. That has resulted in a compromise bill, H.R. 4391/S2455 known as the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act. Shaw, himself, is one of the sponsors. This bill does not address the GPO at all but does offer a new formula for calculating benefits (WEP) when an individual has earnings from both social security and non-social security positions.

We are currently waiting for the “template” which is being prepared on Capitol Hill, so that those of us who are affected can do the preliminary calculations to determine the positive – or negative – effects of this bill.

Meanwhile, NEA is supporting the bill as a first step towards total repeal. If, during the course of Congressional hearings, the bill does not appear to offer relief, NEA support will be withdrawn. However, if the bill does offer a positive step forward, we’ll be getting back to you to write or call your representative to urge their support. While the bill is not the total repeal we want, it is a compromise that could pass during this Congress.

Clay Shaw (FL), chair of the House Subcommittee on Social Security, is balking at letting House Resolution 594 out of committee. Fifty-five percent of our Missouri representatives have signed on, but not Rep. Kenny Hulshof who also serves on this committee.

In the U.S. Senate, we have 31 co-sponsors—but not Sens. Bond and Talent. We haven’t really been concentrating our efforts on the Senate yet, but believe we could garner the votes (only 20 more needed) if we could just get the measure through the House.

Plus one. The likelihood of a presidential veto, even if we can get the Social Security Fairness Act through Congress, is high. Therefore, 300 + 31 + 20 + 1 = 0.

Those are just the numbers for the repeal of the Social Security offsets. Take another issue, any issue—try full funding of the foundation formula for education in the Missouri legislature. Do the math. If the numbers don’t add up to support your views, you can change them. How? By supporting candidates who support issues you think are important and then working to get them elected.

Nov. 2, 2004, is Election Day, when the final numbers will be determined for the next four years. Those numbers can change things for the better…or for the worse. Will you help?

To volunteer for Campaign 2004, contact your local UniServ office or call Leila Medley at (800) 392-0236. For more information on the Social Security Act and other federal issues, go to www.nea.org and click on “Legislative Action Center.” For Missouri issues, go to

by Martha Karlovetz
MNEA-Retired President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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