View source for Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security

The '''Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security''' (COMPASS) is a coalition backing President [[George W. Bush]]'s plan for [[U.S. Social Security privatization|private Social Security accounts]]. The group was formed in 2002 by the [[Business Roundtable]] and the [[National Association of Manufacturers]]. 

"COMPASS is acting as an umbrella group for Washington-based organizations, including the manufacturers association, the [[National Restaurant Association]], the Business Roundtable and the [[Financial Services Forum]], which is a group of chief executive officers of major banks, insurance companies and securities firms," Bloomberg News reported. Other members include companies such as The Boeing Co., [[Pfizer]] Inc. and Fidelity Investments.[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/208779_boeingsocsec21.html]

The Washington Post reports, "[T]he Coalition for the [[Modernization]] and Protection of America's Social Security, will conduct a nationwide television and grass-roots pressure campaign costing $15 million to $20 million. COMPASS has hired OnPoint Advocacy to conduct grass-roots lobbying and [[Apco Worldwide]] Inc. for public relations. Tita Freeman, communications director at the [[Business Roundtable]], said COMPASS has a budget of $15 million to $20 million, which may grow as the fight progresses."[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19782-2005Feb12.html] In addition to TV ads, the group will run a national-wide [[direct mail]] campaign.[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/208779_boeingsocsec21.html]

The Hill reports, "COMPASS will work on educating the public across the country through direct-mail, grassroots and media campaigns." [[Derrick Max]] is the executive director of both COMPASS and its sister coalition [[Alliance for Worker Retirement Security]]. The groups are expected to spend between $50 million and $150 million to promote Social Security reform. 

COMPASS also sponsors [[Generations Together]], a website created in February 2005 by [[Democracy Data & Communications]]. 

==Members==
*[[Alliance for Worker Retirement Security]]
*[[Business Roundtable]]
*[[Committee for Good Common Sense]]
*[[Citizens for a Sound Economy]]
*[[Council for Government Reform]]
*[[Financial Services Forum]]
*[[For Our Grandchildren]]
*[[National Association of Manufacturers]]
*[[National Taxpayers Union]]
*[[United Seniors Association]]
*[[The Hispanic Business Roundtable]]
*[[Latino Coalition]]
*[[The Small Business Exporters Association]]
*[[National Retail Federation]]
*[[U.S. Farm Bureau]]
*[[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]]
*[[The Minority Business Roundtable]]
*[[National Federation of Independent Business]][http://www.compasscoalition.org/members.asp]

==Contact information==
COMPASS<br>
1615 L Street Suite 1100 <br>
Washington, D.C. 20036<br>
1-800-527-0783<br>
http://www.compasscoalition.org<br>

==Related SourceWatch Resources==
* [[Modernization]]
* [[U.S. Social Security privatization]]

==External links==
*"[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aW9uFsLXQwa0&refer=us Companies to Spend Over $5 Mln to Back Bush on Social Security]", ''Bloomberg'', January 20, 2005.
*Thomas B. Edsall, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19782-2005Feb12.html "Conservatives Join Forces for Bush Plans: Social Security, Tort Limits Spur Alliance,"] ''Washington Post'', February 13, 2005.
*Bennett Roth, [http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3038264 "Social Security lobbying war is on: Costly, partisan bid seen as Part 2 of 2004 election,"] ''Houston Chronicle, February 14, 2005.

[[category:Social Security privatization]][[category:Social Security (US)]]