Social Security - On borrowed time

All Americans understand that there need to be some changes to our Social Security system because, 40 years from now, Social Security will go into deficit if we do nothing. And it is always better to correct problems early than wait until they get worse.

But there is no truth to the Bush administration's claim that there is an imminent crisis in Social Security. The Social Security Trust Fund's potential shortfall is $3.7 trillion over the next 75 years. By comparison, the Medicare Trust Fund shortfall will be $8.1 trillion, and the deficit caused by the president's tax cuts will be $11.6 trillion. The crisis is not in Social Security, but in the borrow-and-spend philosophy espoused by Republicans.

The Republicans need to start thinking long-term.

First, stop borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund to finance tax cuts. These are not real tax cuts. They are tax postponements.

Second, balance the Federal budget. This requires some combination of revenue increases and program cuts. There seems to be no serious effort in Washington to make these tough choices.

Third, reform the way elections are financed and run. The special interests that finance our candidates' campaigns make it virtually impossible for our leaders to make good choices for the long term. Politicians make bad choices that benefit the special interest at the expense of all Americans. In the end, of course, these leaders lose both their jobs, and their self-respect. And our children's debt burden continues to rise.

Sooner or later our children pay for this borrowing with a lower standard of living, an inability to pay for college and health care, and an inability to buy American products to create American job opportunities.

The debate over the future of Social Security -- and every debate with this Administration -- provides Democrats with an opportunity to drive home the fact that that we are the party of fiscal responsibility, economic responsibility, social responsibility, civic responsibility, personal responsibility, and moral responsibility. On issue after issue, Democrats are where the majority of the American people are. We just have to stand up for what we believe in.

If America is to continue to be great and strong, we need leadership which is great and strong. We need to be told the truth about our financial problems, followed by a plan of action based on facts, not propaganda.

Howard Dean is a syndicated columnist.