I know what you mean, the symbolism is overwhelming. I'm sure glad we keep that around for the Railroad Workers, because it really keeps us focussed on what it's meant to do.
(Note to Chuck: I'm being sarcastic! http://www.rrb.gov/ for details)
> If we are going to cut any link between contributions
> and benefits, then we'd be better off just using the income tax.
Indeed we'd be better off just using the income tax: I'm for it! But in the mean time, dropping the cap sounds a lot better than not dropping the cap. I mean, hey: it seems to work for medicare. This year you only have to make $415k to pay as much Medicare tax as you do FICA (a paltry $6k each); after that, Medicare to the moon, baby!
/jordan