Where Dold, Seals stand on Social Security
In their race for the 10th House District seat, Republican Robert Dold and Democrat Dan Seals increasingly have been trading barbs about several political issues. Seals and his supporters have particularly targeted Dold's views on Social Security.
In multiple news releases this summer, Seals accused Dold of supporting a controversial plan by Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin called "A Roadmap for America's Future."
Ryan is the ranking Republican on the House budget committee. His long-range plan calls for a gradual increase of the retirement age and letting retirees opt out of the traditional government-run Social Security system by opening personal accounts. It proposes significant changes to the federally funded health care programs for the elderly and poor, too.
The Seals camp's statements were based on comments that appeared on Dold's official Facebook page this summer but were quickly deleted.
Here's a look at what the candidates have said, and how those statements line up with the facts.
THE CLAIM: In a July news release, Seals' campaign said Dold had "announced his support for Rep. Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future, a radical plan to privatize Social Security, eliminate Medicare and Medicaid and raise taxes on the middle class."
In a follow-up news release sent in August, the Seals campaign changed its tune about Dold's stance on Ryan's plan, saying Dold had "encouraged his Facebook readers to learn more about the Ryan plan."
But just this week, a new Seals media missive tied Dold more directly to the Ryan plan.
THE FACTS: The official website for Ryan's proposal, roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov, details its concepts for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. It also includes a section called "Setting the Record Straight" that seeks to debunk accusations about the plan, as well as another section with answers to frequently asked questions.
According to the website, the Roadmap would not privatize Social Security. The personal accounts it proposes would be managed by a public board.
Additionally, the website denies the Roadmap would eliminate Medicare or Medicaid but acknowledges changes would be made to both programs.
As for whether Dold supports Ryan's strategy, let's look at that initial Facebook posting, which the Seals campaign included in the July news release. Dold wrote: "I encourage you to learn more about Congressman Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future. I agree with him that we must change course in Washington to reduce the national debt and create a sustainable fiscal policy."
DOLD: This week, Dold said he's willing to study any serious proposal to keep Social Security solvent, regardless of which political party brings it forth.
"And that is why I have encouraged voters of the 10th District to study (Ryan's Roadmap) and formulate their own opinions," Dold explained in an e-mail to the Daily Herald.
Dold took Seals to task for his criticism of Ryan's plan, particularly the Democrat's accusation that it calls for the privatization of Social Security.
"It does not advocate privatization but rather would offer regular citizens a choice of entering a program like the one (offered to) members of Congress and federal employees," Dold said.
As for the disappearing Facebook post, a Dold spokeswoman said the comment simply was replaced by one about a different issue, the proposed Metra STAR line. Dold stands by the original posting's message, she said.
SEALS: When asked about the issue this week, Seals campaign spokeswoman Aviva Gibbs remained on the offensive. "It strains credibility that Dold would encourage voters to learn more about a proposal if he didn't believe in its merits," she said.
Seals "vehemently opposes" the Ryan plan, Gibbs said. She cited opposition from the senior-citizen group AARP and concerns about the plan from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research group.
Seals maintains no immediate changes to the Social Security system are needed. Even so, he believes officials should consider "long-term changes to strengthen and ensure the future stability of the program in the next quarter-century," Gibbs said.
On his campaign website, Seals suggests raising the cap on the Social Security payroll tax as a way to generate more cash for the system. He also suggested reducing payouts to the richest Americans, who he claims "have less need for the money."
Neither step should be taken during the nation's current financial troubles, however, he said.