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Tinklenberg views social security as personal

Sixth Congressional District Democratic candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg appeared at Circle Pines City Hall Monday (Oct. 27) to speak on social security.

Tinklenberg described the federal program in personal terms.

“As many of you know my first wife died when she was 39,” he said.

“I had three kids. And her salary was going to help us save for their college,” he said.

“If it hadn’t been for the support of social security survivor benefits, we wouldn’t have been able to do that,” said Tinklenberg.

“We need to protect social security,” he said.

“There couldn’t be a more unbelievable time for people to pick up the refrain of privatizing social security at a time we’ve seen the volatility we’ve seen and incredible decline in the stock market,” said Tinklenberg.

“This is a time for all of us to stand together and  be very clear we will not tolerate undermining social security,” he said.
According to Tinklenberg, about 815,000 Minnesotans receive social security benefits — some $823 million a month entering the state economy.

In the 6th District there are about 88,000 social security recipients pulling in all told about $90 million a month, he said.

The Bachmann for Congress campaign did not respond to a call concerning Rep. Michele Bachmann’s position on social security.

Since Bachmann’s “Hardball” appearance a week ago last Friday the Tinklenberg campaign has taken in about $1.8 million in campaign contributions.

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One Response to “Tinklenberg views social security as personal”

  1. On October 28, 2008 at 11:07 am M.J. responded with... #

    According to the Social Security Administration, they collect $1.25 Billion per month from tax payers and employers in the state of Minnesota:

    http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/factsheets/state_stats/2005/mn.html

    The comments from Tinklenberg make it sound like Social Security payments are a net inflow for the states economy when in fact they are a net drag since we are paying in more than we are getting back as a state at this time.

    Of course before too long this will flip around on a national scale and the payments out will exceed the collections.

    Unfortunately, since social security is a “pay as you go” system that presents a problem.

    In it’s present form Social Security will ultimately undermine itself whether Tinklenburg will stand for it or not:

    http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TRSUM/index.html