A Secure Future

The Bush Administration seems determined to have a debate about Social Security reform. Fine, let’s debate. Here’s one issue I’d like to see discussed. Social Security isn’t just a program for the elderly. When a worker becomes disabled, they become eligible for Social Security benefits. The same goes for children of disabled workers. Other groups that may be eligible for Social Security benefits include:
Spouses of deceased workers
Adult disabled children of deceased workers
Children (under 18) of retirees
The privatization of Social Security would subject all of these groups to the vagaries of the markets. They would no longer be assured of a regular, monthly income to pay for the necessities of life. If the economy takes a sudden downturn, it’s these groups who would be the most vulnerable. A safety net that has existed for seventy years would be gone and with it the stability that it has brought to countless families.
I don’t argue that we should examine ways to reform Social Security. But we first need to recognize that Social Security isn’t something just for the gray-haired set. And we need to have a long, thoughtful debate; not a panicky response to a manufactured crisis. Depending on which estimate you look at, Social Security will be solvent until 2042. My generation, and those following us, will be the ones to pay the price for hasty decisions.
On a separate note, I’m looking for someone to help me install a new hard drive and DVD burner in my system. Free beer, anyone?