So, ok Social Security is in trouble. The question is how are we going to save it? The republicans think that the answer is to partially privatize the system. I don't think that is a wise decision. Here is what shrub had to say on the issue today.

Bush Rules Out Social Security Tax Hike

" Three years after his Social Security commission issued recommendations on how to repair the system, Bush remained noncommittal Thursday on how he would pay for the estimated $2 trillion cost of revamping Social Security. But vast new borrowing seemed increasingly likely."

See here is the thing. We are already up to our nose in debt, and to now propose a solution that would seriously put us further into debt, I don't think is a good idea. I am not saying that another solution is not going to cost as much money, but it seems to me that there very well maybe something less expensive than switching to a partially privatized system.

"We will not raise payroll taxes to solve this problem."

Ok fine, but here is the problem, expressed well by Rep. Bob Matsui,

"'President Bush seems to have painted himself into a corner on Social Security because he says no tax increases and no benefit cuts for current or near retirees, while insisting on costly private accounts with trillions in transition and administrative costs,' he said."

Now also another point in this debate, at this early stage, is this proclamation by shrub seems to rule out removing the cap on taxable income for Social Security.

"By taking payroll tax increases off the table, Bush dealt a blow to some GOP proposals to confront the costs of changing Social Security. They want to consider raising or removing the limit on income subject to the 12.4 percent payroll tax split between workers and employers. The maximum level of earnings taxed is $87,900 now; it will rise to $90,000 next year."

It seems to me, and believe me I am no financial wizard, that allowing more, or even all income to be subject to payroll tax for Social Security would go a long way towards procuring the money needed to save this program. Especially when the cap is only $90,000 next year. I can think of ALOT of people who make more than $90,000 and who are having the same amount of payroll taxes held from their paycheck as someone who makes $90,000.

Not to mention that I don't know that having young people put part of their payroll tax money into private accounts in the stock market is a good idea. Seems like it may benefit the market people more than it will benefit the system. But more research needs to be done.