Key Lawmakers Cast Doubt on Social Security 'Crisis'

[ailsagirl]

By Adam Entous

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Key Republicans in Congress on Sunday questioned White House assertions that the Social Security system was in crisis, one of President Bush's justifications for acting now on private accounts, and said new taxes should be considered.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Congress should "look beyond" the payroll tax to fund the Social Security retirement system and consider a value-added tax and other changes.

Though Bush said he will oppose tax increases for Social Security, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, told CBS's "Face the Nation" that a hike in payroll taxes "has got to be on the table" along with other financing options.

Thomas called the retirement system's finances a "problem" rather than a crisis, distancing himself from the crisis terminology used by the White House in seeking public support for creating private accounts.

"I think 'problem' really is what we're dealing with," said Thomas, when asked if he thought it was a crisis.

http://ga4.org/campaign/ricehearings/d787iu4aji7jb6

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. hmm KEEP THE EMIAL GOING!!!!!!!!!!!

[whistle]

2. Social Security crisis? (spit) There's no stinking....

...Social Security crisis! Except for the one the repukes and Shrub is creating.

[ailsagirl]

3. The good news is that even some of the repugs are

seeing the light-- at least where SS goes.