Social Security Reform 101
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I must admit, I'm starting to suffer from CSSRFS -- "Chronic Social Security Reform Fatigue Syndrome." I've been blogging about it from the beginning and before it was fashionable. Now I've developed the Internet equivalent of hoarseness, as though I were trying to explain it at a gay dance club (to someone who is both drunk and paying more attention to better-looking guys than me).
And I actually understand the issue -- I've studied it for years.
So I can only imagine what it must be like for neophyte advocates of reform who are still ramping up on the complexities of Social Security, only to crash into brick wall after brick wall every time they try to raise the issue themselves with those who deflect, distort and flat-out lie about the program, the crisis and the reform proposals.
So I've decided to condense the debate down to some core principles. Some very simple and powerful axioms (yes, axioms -- they are completely irrefutable) that those who entering the pro-reform fray can arm themselves with in their blogs and live discussions on the subject:
1. No reform proposal from anyone, anywhere calls for cutting current benefits. You have now completely disarmed the worst liars of the bunch, the AARP. It's simply none of their business -- they're getting theirs. If they are opposed to reform, then it can only be for reasons other than concern for their members.
2. Every reform proposal would make participation voluntary. You have now completely disarmed those who warn that some people may be "just too dumb" to handle planning and saving for their own retirement. They won't have to.
3. Every reform proposal would include a zero-risk money market option. You have now completely disarmed those who claim that people would be forced to invest in the "risky" stock market. They won't have to.
Perhaps those three axioms aren't enough to win the debate for Social Security reform, but they are enough to keep the debate alive and to stay on the offensive on any debate you are likely to find yourself in.
In a future post I'll introduce some intermediate-level truths about Social Security reform for those who want to take it to next level.
Related Posts:
Bush Social Security Plan: Too Small to Fail?
Social Security: The "Unintended Consequences" Non-Argument
Social Security: Why Not Cut Current Benefits?
The Social Security Meta-Crisis
Social Security: Read It and Weep
Social Security: What's in the "Lockbox"?
And I actually understand the issue -- I've studied it for years.
So I can only imagine what it must be like for neophyte advocates of reform who are still ramping up on the complexities of Social Security, only to crash into brick wall after brick wall every time they try to raise the issue themselves with those who deflect, distort and flat-out lie about the program, the crisis and the reform proposals.
So I've decided to condense the debate down to some core principles. Some very simple and powerful axioms (yes, axioms -- they are completely irrefutable) that those who entering the pro-reform fray can arm themselves with in their blogs and live discussions on the subject:
1. No reform proposal from anyone, anywhere calls for cutting current benefits. You have now completely disarmed the worst liars of the bunch, the AARP. It's simply none of their business -- they're getting theirs. If they are opposed to reform, then it can only be for reasons other than concern for their members.
2. Every reform proposal would make participation voluntary. You have now completely disarmed those who warn that some people may be "just too dumb" to handle planning and saving for their own retirement. They won't have to.
3. Every reform proposal would include a zero-risk money market option. You have now completely disarmed those who claim that people would be forced to invest in the "risky" stock market. They won't have to.
Perhaps those three axioms aren't enough to win the debate for Social Security reform, but they are enough to keep the debate alive and to stay on the offensive on any debate you are likely to find yourself in.
In a future post I'll introduce some intermediate-level truths about Social Security reform for those who want to take it to next level.
Related Posts:
Bush Social Security Plan: Too Small to Fail?
Social Security: The "Unintended Consequences" Non-Argument
Social Security: Why Not Cut Current Benefits?
The Social Security Meta-Crisis
Social Security: Read It and Weep
Social Security: What's in the "Lockbox"?
Posted by KipEsquire on
22 December 2004
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