John Thornton wrote:
>
>
> Barack Obama: I think the point your making is why talk about it right
> now. Is that right?
>
> Jonathan Singer: Yeah. And why use the term "crisis"?
>
> Obama: It is a long-term problem. I know that people, including you, are
> very sensitive to the concern that we repeat anything that sounds like
> George Bush. But I have been very clear in fighting privatization. I
> have been adamant about the fact that I am opposed to it. What I believe
> is that it is a long-term problem that we should deal with now. And the
> sooner the deal with it then the better off it's going to be.
That's all it takes to doom the system -- use the word "crisis." There are hundreds of ways to privatize in ways that don't nominally privatize. All politicians who use the word crisis are committed to damage if not destroy SS. I claimed that on some list (this one? the old marxism?) back when Clinton raised the subject in a speech in New Mexico. Monica saved us.
Carrol