Response to Tom Matzzie

[National Dialogue Moderator <moderator>]

[Moderator's Note: Senator Santorum is responding to a question
that Tom Matzzie posed in the General Discussion.  He questioned
the Senator's participation in the Current Legislative Proposals
Roundtable prior to the introduction of a specific legislative
proposal.]

Thanks for your comments, Tom.  I appreciate hearing from you.

Though I have not yet introduced my own Social Security reform 
legislation, I am developing a plan that is up on the Web site.  I look 
forward to the opportunity of discussing this legislation with you.  

ADSS and Information Renaissance invited Members of Congress who have 
introduced plans or will soon be doing so.  I fall into the latter 
category with President Clinton and Congressmen Archer/Shaw in putting 
ideas and proposals before the public for discussion.  It is our hope 
that, like you, people will appreciate that it is healthy to debate 
ideas and it is alright to even disagree with them -- at least you have 
the opportunity to view our proposals.

I have long been concerned about the viability of our most vital social 
program.  Because of my dedication to saving and strengthening Social 
Security, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott appointed me as Co-Chair of 
the Senate Republican Task Force on Social Security.  In this capacity, 
Senator Judd Gregg and I led discussions and analyses among Members of 
Congress about the need to reform Social Security soon and how that reform 
might best be achieved.  Senator Gregg and I are in agreement that adding 
a personal savings component to Social Security is the best way to secure 
the best retirement security for all, and at a cost that future 
generations can bear.

Again, thank you for contacting me.  I hope this answers your question.  I 
would be most interested in knowing how the Institute for America's future 
would go about solving Social Security's serious financing problems.


	Senator Rick Santorum