Kowabunga

Based on reports I have been seeing, it sounds as though President Bush will be making a serious push for Social Security Reform. There is a lot to be said about this, especially since I have learned that some FIVE MILLION Americans have been able to opt-out of the Social Security program. Isn't it about time that the rest of us were allowed to join their ranks?

I'll be writing a couple of articles on this topic, including info on how the County of Galveston opted out in the 1980s, just before Congress eliminated this option. There are other communities that were able to privatize their local, and even a couple of states, workers retirement programs, getting them out of Social Security.

And let's not forget that ALL elected officials have the option of participating in a government run retirement program instead of Social Security, including local officials who receive small stipends, such as myself (it's so small, it isn't worth the trouble to switch off of Social Security). One has to wonder if that is part of why Congressional Democrats refuse to consider privatization. They believe they know how to manage their retirement, but the vast majority of Americans, according to their thinking, do not!

Social Security Reform is a hot button issue, and it is time we have a dialog on it. More on this coming soon.