James,
It all depends on how you frame the issue. If we frame the issue as
what we do with the money the CORPORATIONS are saving through the
tax cut, then we say we will use some of the money to finance
transition costs for any Social Security fix. Which part of the
money? Only what the CORPORATIONS would be paying if they had to
pay SS taxes on earnings about 500 Grand. It would be taking the
corporations' money from their windfall to help finance Social
Security. If you frame it not as punishing the corporate exec, but
making use of the corporations' windfall, and you act as if the 6.9
percent comes entirely from the corporation (which is in one sense
true), then you can do it.
Now, if moderate Dems know that personal accounts make sense but
need a populist fig leaf, they can clamor about the evil execs all
they want. Fine. I'll let them clamor if it helps me get their
votes.
topics:
Taxes, Social Security
