tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712197188587933423.post4105355436430145098..comments2018-12-13T04:52:46.619-08:00Comments on Social Security: Presidential Perspectives: Concluding ThoughtsVetan Kapoorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307270686924759999noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712197188587933423.post-87299938763227281872011-05-15T09:59:15.084-07:002011-05-15T09:59:15.084-07:00A solid wrap-up. I'd like to see the implicati...A solid wrap-up. I'd like to see the implications pushed just bit farther: what this suggests is that a "medium-term" solution may be the best approach. By that I mean that we find a solution that may not reach the impossible goal of infinite stability, but that extends the life of the program by many decades. In other words, the 1983 reforms may be the best we can do. The one caveat, of course, is the wider problem of the deficit and how that may limit the availability of solutions to the Social Security problem, even though by itself that is far more amenable to solution.<br /><br />Overall, I'm very impressed with the care and thoroughness of this blog. It is particularly strong in tracing out the complex, technical history of how Social Security has changed over time. The attention to the tension between benefit increases and program financing is especially important. More attention might have been given to the role of race in the program's formation and early decades, to the role of Congress and the relevant agencies & departments throughout, and to the question I posed a number of times about what we really mean when we talk about "long-term" solutions. Finally, I might like to see a slightly more direct recommendation at the end. Which package of solutions should Obama (or say, Mitt Romney) endorse? In general, though, congratulations on an excellent and effective presentation of a very difficult topic!<br /><br />GMGuianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05359234620804724308noreply@blogger.com