The trouble with these solutions is that implementing them would mean killing a lot of people's sacred cows. The other side has a huge advantage in that nobody wants to run against Santa Claus.
We can't tax imports on anything coming in from places where we've got NAFTA or similar treaties. (To the extent that some conservative and "realistic" Dems went along with the Repugnicans in passing NAFTA, phooey on them as corporate tools.)
As an aging baby-boomer myself, I agree that the age of Social Security retirement needs to be moved up. I disagree, of course, with your ultimate goal. (Such an aim would stir a taxpayer revolt.) I instead argue that we make everybody pay Social Security taxes on their income, not just on the part that matches a middle-class income; then put a ceiling on the maximus benefit.
I don't think so, if it's presented properly. Raising the retirement age on a scheduled basis has minimal impact on people nearing retirement, and gives middle-agers (like me) time to rearrange their expectations. The youngsters have a LONG time to arrange their own retirement plans. As expenditures for retirees decline (over the years), they'll have more resources to use in making those arrangements.
"...that we make everybody pay Social Security taxes on their income..."
The cap on FICA contributions is part and parcel of the myth that Social Security is an insurance program; removing it would remove the last pretense that it isn't a welfare program. Besides, removing the cap buys us almost nothing; the "high-income" demographic is too small.
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As an aging baby-boomer myself, I agree that the age of Social Security retirement needs to be moved up. I disagree, of course, with your ultimate goal. (Such an aim would stir a taxpayer revolt.) I instead argue that we make everybody pay Social Security taxes on their income, not just on the part that matches a middle-class income; then put a ceiling on the maximus benefit.
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I don't think so, if it's presented properly. Raising the retirement age on a scheduled basis has minimal impact on people nearing retirement, and gives middle-agers (like me) time to rearrange their expectations. The youngsters have a LONG time to arrange their own retirement plans. As expenditures for retirees decline (over the years), they'll have more resources to use in making those arrangements.
"...that we make everybody pay Social Security taxes on their income..."
The cap on FICA contributions is part and parcel of the myth that Social Security is an insurance program; removing it would remove the last pretense that it isn't a welfare program. Besides, removing the cap buys us almost nothing; the "high-income" demographic is too small.
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