THE GOOD IS THE ENEMY?:

Thompson and Social Security (William G. Shipman, December 5, 2007, Washington Times)

With the caucuses and primaries fast approaching, presidential candidates are beginning to focus on policy. Former Sen. Fred Thompson spoke recently on Social Security reform. And he should be commended for offering a solution — but not for the solution he offered. [...]

[T]here is no less expensive way to provide for one's retirement than saving and investing during one's working career.

The senator's plan seems to understand this, but only marginally, for it keeps the tax-based structure intact, and adds only a modicum of market-based financing. The result is a contrivance that attempts a political compromise by offering something for everyone, while not dealing substantively with fundamental reform.

So Mr. Shipman prefers the ideologically pure but politically undoable?

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 5, 2007 8:12 AM