Republican Representative Bill Thomas of California announced a controversial new scheme to take race and gender into account as they overhaul Social Security. Thomas, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, told Tim Russert of NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “We also need to examine, frankly, Tim, the question of race in terms of how many years of retirement do you get based upon your race?” A transcript of the interview may be found here. Thomas added later that one should not take gender off the table either. Under his theory, these workers often need to retire earlier than others and this inequity should be examined.
Are the true colors of Congressional Republicans coming out or is this another slip of the tongue of a law maker who meant well but was not well versed in the language of minority politics?
Basing Social Security benefits on race or gender is outrageous and goes against the purpose of the program. Question: Will the evening news even pick this story up?
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