Raising the Wage Base

[National Dialogue Moderator <moderator>]

Thanks to all the panelists for their submissions. Gerry Shea wants
to raise the taxable wage base, which is $72,600 this year.

     Gerry, how high would you go, a specific figure like $100,000 a
year, or would you cover all salaries? How much of the funding gap
would this close, and would such a step alienate affluent voters?

    For the rest of the panelists. Comment on Gerry's idea. Should
Congress raise the wage base? Yes or no, and why. Be succinct and
don't duck the question. FYI, polls by Americans Discuss Social
Security and their teleconference meetings show this as a very
popular idea around the country. Why is it unpopular in Washington,
except in the AFL-CIO headquarters, and in the offices of a few
Democratic members of Congress?

Bob Rosenblatt
Los Angeles Times