Thursday's question deals with two related areas: the amount of future government resources we devote to the elderly and how we obtain them.
The President and Representative Archer are among a growing number of legislators who are looking to general revenues to improve Social Security. In an era of projected budget surpluses, this is an understandable approach. With a public reluctant to support increases in the retirement age or the payroll tax, there are few alternatives left to strengthen Social Security. Using the "surplus" for Social Security seems to resonate with the public. If future Congresses find this approach is no longer workable, they can modify the decisions of their predecessors.
