Reforming Social Security

W. isn't just about to step on the so called "third rail of politics", he's about to touch it with his tongue while holding a copper cable standing in three feet of water. This is what second terms are about; tort reform, tax code gutting and SSN reform.

The Bush plan would allow workers to put 2% of the 6.2 percent that currently goes to SSN into private accounts that they can control. What a novel idea; allowing Americans to actually manage their own forced retirement dollars. I think we can do better than Congress has.

The initial passage of Social Security was a monumental feat of liberal will, a massive entitlement program that would ensure that the elderly vote would solidly stay in Democratic hands for decades. It's ironic to think that the Democrat talking points slam Bush on a daily basis for the deficit saying--and I paraphrase--"leaving our children with the burden". What the hell is SSN.

In 1950, 17 workers paid for each SS recipient, by 2035 that ratio will be 2.5 workers. If that is not leaving our kids an elephant on their shoulders I don't know what is. But why let irony interfere with politics, Rep. Denis Moore says this:

"I'm worried about my kids and grandkids, whether we're going to be able to sustain the financial burden we're placing on them," said Moore, a Democrat who represents part of Lawrence, along with the eastern half of Douglas County and Johnson, Wyandotte and Miami counties. "I understand the problem with Social Security and long-term security, and I understand we need to do something, but I have real concerns about just borrowing $2 trillion.

"You have to deal with the problem of transition costs, and nobody ever wants to say we're going to increase payroll taxes or cut benefits or increase the retirement age. They're not willing to make those hard choices."

Of course you don't want to say it because that would require leadership, and leadership requires ocassionally uttering things the public might not like. I know it's a hard concept for a politician to grasp.

President Bush has not laid out an official policy proposal, he's just had his people selectively float it out in dribs and drabs, however it has the Dems in an absolute tizzy.

Good.