MANCHESTER, N.H. —Chris Christie on Wednesday (click here) began a two-day visit to first-primary state New Hampshire by laying out a specific and potentially controversial plan to tackle what he called the root cause of the nation’s fiscal woes -- entitlements....
Raising the age for eligibility is unpopular. Voters won't like it. But, it is admirable he even broached the topic. What seems to be the solution most appropriate is raising the cap on SSI tax. Realizing the Republican Party has anti-tax rhetoric to satisfy the "Heritage Foundation" (click here) states it won't work.
Their argument focuses on comparison of the USA to other countries. The Heritage Foundation uses international comparisons inconsistently. If the argument makes a point they use it and if it seems anti-American they don't. So, this is an argument of convenience for Heritage. Their researchers in the past have proven unreliable in their methodologies as well.
The best idea about SSI will result from sound research accepted by peer reviewed journals.
Social Security is the foundation of the USA economy. When the economy toppled in 2008, SSI served as circulating capital to stabilize at least a basement support. The answers for SSI, Medicare and SSD has to be proven to be effective and stable to these entitlements. SOUND principles and not populous messages are important.
