Video: Romney, Perry Square Off On Social Security At CNN Debate
This was perhaps the most substantive exchange of the CNN debate tonight.
It’s pretty clear that this sort of debate format isn’t necessarily Perry’s element, but he comported himself well. The initial reaction from some was that he was walking back his talk about Social Security, but I don’t think that’s the case.
Yes, Perry has said that the Social Security program is unconstitutional. Yes, he’s called it a “Ponzi scheme.” And he’s right on both counts.
But what Perry is refusing to do is pull the carpet out from under people who have been made dependent on this program. Social Security is not optional, despite what Romney implies in his answer. We’re all forced to pay into the program throughout our lives, and because of that we’ve created generations of Americans who become dependent on the program late in life.
What we need to do is end that dependence. The program needs to be phased out, or at the very least morphed into something where the dollars Americans pay in are tied to them individually and also allows them control over how those dollars are invested.
Tags: election 2012, mitt romney, rick perry, social security
