Frist involved in impromptu conversation sans shoes
About 25 members of Americans United to Protect Social Security quickly convened and chanted “We say organize; Frist says privatize!” during the peaceful protest on Friday after seeing Frist from their office’s windows.
President Bush has said Social Security cannot meet its future obligations and has plans to overhaul the program.
Frist, R-Tenn., twice emerged from the shoe store on Connecticut Avenue — once in his socks — to speak with protesters and ask members about their views.
“What about the raising of the retirement age?” the senator asked protesters.
The group responded, “No!”
Frist explained that there isn’t enough money coming in for the program but asked the protesters to “keep the ideas coming.”
Frist said he found it useful to see what the protesters’ thoughts on the program were, but said he believed some responses indicated “they haven’t fully studied the issue.”