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How Will Democrats Fix Social Security?

Senator Barak Obama:

“I think the best way to approach this is to adjust the cap on the payroll tax so that people like myself are paying a little bit more and people who are in need are protected. That is the option that I will be pushing forward.”

Senator Hillary Clinton:

“I know it may sound good at first blush. If you look at all the complexities of this, I think it’s much smarter to say: Look, we’re going to deal with the challenges by fiscal responsibility and we’re going to use a bipartisan commission. And we’re not going to do it by further burdening middle-class families.”

I disagree with Senator Obama’s approach and raising taxes is the best way to ensure losing an election (ask Walter Mondale how that worked out for him). But, at least he is unafraid to articulate a position. Senator Clinton continues to hold her fingers to the wind to see what direction her positions should take. A bipartisan commission? Haven’t we already heard the findings of such a group several years ago when President Bush initiated his failed attempt to partially privatize Social Security? This country needs a leader that can differentiate itself from the current individual occupying the Oval Office, not more of the same incompetence. With each passing day, Hillary sounds more and more like Bush-lite. Furthermore, a candidate as polarizing as Hillary will be unable to make the sweeping changes behind a strong electoral mandate that this country so desperately needs by assembling a “50+1″ majority.

3 comments to How Will Democrats Fix Social Security?

  • DAD

    As Vito Corleone wisely put it:
    “Don’t let anyone outside the family know what you’re thinking.”

  • Steve Levine

    A perfect example of Hillary’s problem: Refusal to take a position, followed by mindless platitudes.

    I wouldn’t worry about Hillary’s ability to make sweeping changes; with answers like this one, she’ll never get to the White House.

    Obama, too is prone to speaking in platitudes, but here his idea makes sense: We could solve the Social Security problem by removing the cap on the payroll tax.

  • DAD

    Steve: Never say never!!…..not in the election process. When Eisenhower had his heart attack, the thought of Nixon as President was frightening. A decade later it was fact.

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