Wealth, What is it?

[BigV]

Ok, I'll buy that, l123. The plan's designers nobly attempted to take only what they expected to need to finance the program. Occam Razor says yes, and overrides Tinfoil Hat. Thanks.

So, here we are, decades later, and the estimations made by the designers and the changes have brought us to this point. The program's not sustainable, and some more changes need to be made. A list of changes has been suggested: deferring the start date, increasing the contribution rate, increasing the income ceiling on qualifying income, means testing recipients, and others, I'm sure, since these were just off the top of my head.

What should be done then? And, more importantly, HOW can it/they be done? All I see is a tragic game of political hot potato, passing the buck, "I don't want to be the one to __________" where __________ is increase taxes, take money from seniors, upset the apple cart, ....

It shows a weakness of political character to fail to discuss this. I don't hold any individual responsible for *solving* it, but ffs, somebody's got to start and encourage the conversation.

The bully pulpit is a magnificent megaphone for such a purpose, but not the only one. We have people whose *job* is to make this stuff work, our Congressmen and Congresswomen. And I should think that there are experts in this field, commonly and disparagingly known as bureaucrats, who have much to offer.

Why must we wait? What is more important than fixing this? Now!