I’ve been loosely following the recent discussion about the White House’s desire to phase out Social Security. Although for years I’ve quietly expected that Social Security will be gone by the time I’ve eligible to benefit from it, I’ve never really focused on the issue. But now, Bush and company are forcing my attention: and that of the nation. I’m only happy that it’s getting some play.
Basically, Bush wants to do away with Social Security in favor of private accounts for every American. From what I’ve read, this is a colossally bad idea (see Krugman in the New York Times, for example). What’s confused me is: why is Bush doing this? I can accept that he and the members of his administration are right-wing conservatives (though I think “conservative” can’t even be honestly applied anymore), and we’ve seen that hard evidence (in terms of the numbers, in this case) is less important, than, well, just about anything. But when experts and members of your own government are telling you that killing Social Security is a bad idea, why persist? (And no, I can’t accept that Bush is the Antichrist; I cling to the belief that these guys at least think they’re working in the best interests of the country, even if everything they’ve done has failed.)
Finally, I have some insight: it’s all idealogy. Idealogy trumps reality, in the view of this administration. The Wehner memo, leaked earlier today, shows that this fight against Social Security is indeed a fear-mongering run-up to killing the program because a small minority is idealogically opposed to it. Josh Marshall offers the commentary that clicked for me:
Also included is a nice encapsulated history lesson: “For the first time in six decades, the Social Security battle is one we can win — and in doing so, we can help transform the political and philosophical landscape of the country.”
In other words, this isn’t about the fiscal soundness of Social Security or the babyboomers moving toward retirement or anything else. As Wehner himself says, this is the best chance the opponents of Social Security have had in six decades of trying to phase-out the program.
This campaign has nothing to do with improving the lives of Americans, or strengthening the nation, or improving our economic position — things that one would expect a President and leaders would be interested in. No, it’s a grand, dangerous way of saying, “We’re right, because we have the power to do what we want.” Damn the working man, damn the elderly (except for the ones voting now, of course), hell, damn the whole country, as long as they win.
Jeff Carlson | Never Enough Coffee Creations 