Well SS will be out of money in 2036, so folks should start trying to fix it now. My suggestion would be to increase the upper limit of contribution for 106k to 200k, also to means test it, If you have 5 M in retirement than your off of it? of course if you loose your 5 Million in say a Finacial meltdown than we will put you back on. I am amazed that we are talking about or justifing SS, it is a safety net only. The Economic situation in The U.S. is such that if you are an houly factory worker ( not Ford) or construction worker , than SS will be your only support mechanism, regardless of 401K etc. ( were talking 1,400/month for SS) Those folks just do not contribute and when they do they borrow against them. I was a welder and Pipefitter for 25 years, my experiace with my fellow workers who are all still in the trades is that they will be done at 62, how many welding teacher jobs do you think are in Maine and New Hampshire?

I think it is okay for workers to be able to retire at 62, I'm not talking about paper pushers , I'm talking about bricklayers and Iron worker, factory workers, they people that litterally bult America. Also do I think my mother at 84 shoudl be able to get a new hip?? not sure but I am not going to tell her ;-) I can see we are going to get into the death commission again. As far as the hi speed train, what I really want is for America to start investing in what we will need in 50 years, especially in those areas in the country that are already overladed with cars and airlpanes, with the understanding that Oil will not be here forever. Maybe it is just sad to go to France , Shanghai, and see better, train systems the America, . Hey I have to got o Work!

I agree with you Fred. Not sure I BLAME the current finacial crises on the republicans or Democrats, but more on all Americans for not being more interested and active in the process, which means digging through the media to find the real cause and effect? Good Luck on That. I do not beleive Taxes are a dirty word, I ust do not want to pay for things that do not bring value to America. I work with a buch of Australians , If ypu get a chance check on their tax rate! I would like an Education similar to Finland, and I would pay for it, I would like broad band for all Americans as well as cell coverage, at least as good as I can get in Viet Nam, in a rice field an hour from Hanoi ?? I mean come on?? I can'nt even maintain cell coverage in the Boston Metro area??

I do love America for what it is and more for what it can be, but from living overseas for the past 4 years ,it has become obvious that America is not #1, we are not #1 in education , we are around #20 for health care, , we are not number 1 for transportation, and on and on, and we also are not #1 in taxes.
To balance the budget we need to cut back on some programs, but equally we need to cut back on Business tax loop holes, as well as an increase in Taxes? OOps that's right, I said the "t" word. If we as a country ( and I do) want Social Security , Pell grants, Alternative energy subsidies, 3 wars, hi-speed train ! It cost money folks, Payup folks or move to Mexico where they have one of the lowest tax rates in the world? STick en up Amigo no Police here, too expensive!
My suggestion to Republicans, is to be careful.. for at some point, if you take away, from the working class too much, their will be yet another back lash .

I just cannot look at this without feeling distrustful of Republicans, ( as you probably can tell by now ;-)) especially this brand, I may be wrong but I believe that the Republican dream of America , would be to dismantle public schools in some form, Social security, Medi care, any type of Public health program, EPA, FDA, as well as to include tax breaks for the richest , a little for the middle class , as well as huge Tax breaks for Business (Bank Of America). I am willing to pay my share, but where is the sharing on the Republican side? 8 months ago the Republicans where adamant that the richest tax group in America should get a Tax break ??? ( balanced Budget??) I was incensed 6+ years ago? When we had a deficit and Bush gave the American people a Tax break??? What kind of accounting is that??( where were the Balanced Budget Republicans than)

Good post, I agree that it is a good idea to shrink the deficit, however I am not at all sure that Business growth, as well as a 3% unemployment goal has anything to do with this huge deficit. I do not believe a balanced budget is the holy Grail! So do we strip Head Start, Pell Grant, Medi care, SS , EPA, FDA, NIH, Maybe that is the real Republican agenda? to strip all public programs , and "Balancing the Budget" will be the tool to do it with.