The Washington Post reports that Obama is making plans for raising SS taxes and/or cutting benefits if he is elected. It would be appropriate to remind readers that the Congressional Budget Office projects that the program will be fully solvent until 2046 with no changes whatsoever. This is almost thirty years after the latest date that Obama could possibly leave the presidency. Readers should know that there is no urgency to address the projected shortfall in Social Security although there are many powerful actors who would like to see the program privatized and/or have its benefits cut.
--Dean Baker