At NetRoots 2010, an annual meeting of progressive liberal bloggers, Senate Majoriy Leader Harry Reid argued that the Social Security Trust Fund is in stron financial shape. According to the Senator from Arizona, Republican calls to reform the program will comprimise the "Greatest social welfare program in the world." I know that Mr. Reid would love to hope this to be true, considering that he will be likely filing to receive Social Security benefits if he is ousted by Republican up-and-comer Sharron Angle. The fact of the matter remains however, that Reid's assesment simply does not reflect the reality of the situation. As soon as next FY the Trust Fund will likely begin to run an annual deficit. The graph below illustrates this. Now is the time to begin discussing serious reform measures that can be undertaken to stop this mess from getting any worst.
During the debate over healthcare reform, Harry Reid and others constantly called for Republican to address a crisis affecting 11 million Americans. Now all I ask of them is to address a crisis that affects 300 million Americans. Why choose to address one and not the other. Is this change or the same old same old thing.
Social Security Trust Fund: The REAL Crisis
The link shows the trends that Mr. Reid ignored. Judge for yourself and let me know what you conclude. How do we solve this crisis? Or is there no crisis at all?
The economy 50 years from now
1 month ago
You referred to Harry Reid as "the Senator from Arizona." Fail. Reid is a Senator of Nevada. The Arizona Senators are McCain and Kyl.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that and thanks for catching it. Sometimes I mix up McCain and Reid, both are far to squishy on the issues for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteBesides I think my mistake is a little more acceptable than Senator Reid's bold faced lies.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of McCain, I don't suppose you've been following the GOP primary in Arizona?
ReplyDeleteThere have been a couple of debates, but I was only able to watch one because it was televised and I knew about it ahead of time. The debate footage is still online: http://www.azfamily.com/news/McCain-Hayworth-Deakin-was-there-a-clear-winner-98673039.html
Scroll down and hope the thing plays.
McCain kept saying he "led the fight" against Obama's whatevers; my dad kept wanting someone to point out that while he may have "led" the fight, he also LOST the fight.
The only thing I have followed is that J.D Hayworth did an infomercial about how to get free money from the stimulus package. And he was speaking out against bailouts and stimulus.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really had time between Iowa and Colorado politics... we have quite a contested primary here in the Rockies for Senate, and there will be a post by one of our other writers on it later today.