Social Security and You

Following are two quotes that I found concerning Social Security reform.

"Most of us have no problem with taking a small amount of the Social Security proceeds and putting it into the private sector."[1]

"[By] 2013, payroll taxes will no longer be sufficient to cover monthly payments. And by 2032, the trust fund will be exhausted, and Social Security will be unable to pay out the full benefits older Americans have been promised... I propose that we... [invest] a small portion in the private sector just as any private or state government pension would do. This will earn a higher return and keep Social Security sound for 55 years."[1]

Judging by today's political climate you might think that these quotes came from Republicans. You would be wrong. Both of these quotes were made in 1999. The first was Senator Harry Reid, current Senate Minority Leader. The other was made by Preisdent Clinton during his 1999 state of the union address. This brings an important question to my mind. Has the Social Security situation changed so much over the last six years that it no longer needs reform? My understanding is that it continues to get worse. My opinion on the matter is that if I know something is going to go bad, then I am going to do what I need to to correct it, no matter how long I might have until a catastrophic failure. I wonder if Democrats are getting so desperate that they have to change their views on issues just to disagree with President Bush.

[1] Babson Free Press