Clinton: Social Security solvency not a problem

WASHINGTON — Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton promised retirees that if elected president she will not cut Social Security benefits, raise the retirement age or privatize the taxpayer-funded system.

The New York senator told the AARP's legislative conference that she would bring a "renewed national commitment to Social Security" to the White House.

(The Houston Chronicle)

I can't imagine how to read "renewed national commitment to Social Security" as something other than an intention to maintain Social Security solvency by raising taxes.

The devil of it is that Clinton's position might still be popular even in light of the effort President Bush put into making people aware of Social Security's solvency issues. Let's just suppose that nationalized healthcare helps people live longer and healthier lives. I don't think that would happen, but just suppose. That's going to make Americans progressively grayer, with more and more of the GNP dedicated to sustaining retirees. You might get their votes, but you're consigning the United States to the scrap heap of history.

Hillary's doing the economic version of Obama's threat to invade Pakistan.

Though her mistake will sell better than Obama's.


Hat tip to Captain's Quarters. Cap'n Ed has some comments from the Social Security trustees posted--worth a visit. Though I don't think Ed is quite fair in presenting Hillary as saying that privatization never works. She probably meant that comment referring specifically to Social Security--though I admit that the rest of her economic rhetoric could argue for Cap'n Ed's view on the matter.