Reply #9: Trying to have it both ways

[Martin Eden]

The R's are trying to have it both ways, because they have always lumped Social Security in with the general funds when talking about deficits and "entitlement" spending. Now they're opposing an extension of the payroll tax cut on the basis it defunds SS.

But the D's are also trying to have it both ways now by putting forth the argument that reducing the taxes paid into the SS Fund will be offset by revenue increases elsewhere in the budget.

So, which is it? Is SS a stand-alone program that is solvent for another 30 years or so and solvent indefinitely if the cap on income is lifted, or do we mix SS funds in with everything else?

The fact is there hasn't been a "lock box" for SS since it was raided to pay for the war in Vietnam, but we have to ask ourserlves if we really want to go down the road of endorsing the concept that SS funds are fungible with other expenditures and revenue sources.