Big gorilla stalks Social Security privatizer

In a bold, even crazy, attempt at counterintuitiveness, Congressman Jim McCrery (R-LA) is making noises again about destroying Social Security.

McCrery is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Social Security. According to his congressional website, he remains a committed advocate of privatization.

Supporters of Social Security, however, aim to remind McCrery that privatization is not what Americans want.

Accompanied by a 28-foot inflatable blue gorilla, more than a dozen area seniors with Americans United rallied on the manicured lawn of U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery's Youree Drive office to reinforce their protest against the privatization of Social Security.

Tuesday's rally was sparked because of statements made by the Republican lawmaker before Congress on June 6. In the statement, McCrery challenged Congress to make Social Security overhaul a top priority in 2007.

That's something Americans United members fear could lead to more than $150,000 in benefit cuts for the middle class, communication director Alex Morgan said.

"We just want to remind him that we're still here," Morgan said as drivers cruising by the intimate protest honked to show their support.

Maybe McCrery was high the last time America had this debate, and he remembers his side winning.