New Push for Social Security "Reform"

By SETH SANDRONSKY

Here it comes again. The new Senate Budget Committee Chairman, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, is pressing to form a bi-partisan panel to address Social Security. Joining him is Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), whom Conrad succeeded. Conrad’s plan surfaced in the Washington Post on January 12.

It is reasonable to conclude they assume the program paying one American in six needs to be fixed. The two men plan to make their case to members of the House, Senate and Bush White House.

Conrad and Gregg’s goal is to create a panel to address the costs of Social Security and other programs such as Medicare, according to the Post. Later, the panel would work to have Congress vote on a reform bill.

Conrad is no loose cannon in the new Democratic deck. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, is clearly aware of what Conrad is up to, even though Nancy Pelosi,, the House majority leader, vowed to "preserve" Social Security about a month ago.

As is well known, Social Security is financially sound -- for the next 33 years if you believe Social Security trustees, amd for 40 years if you lisdten to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. No fixes required, thank you very much.

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