Beyond Social Security

Beyond Social Security
By Thomas Oliphant, Boston Globe Columnist  
February 6, 2005
WASHINGTON
IF THIS country had top-notch political leadership, we would not be looking at months of petty, partisan warfare over a puny topic like Social Security.
Instead we would be discussing something much bigger -- aging itself, its problems, opportunities, and costs. And that discussion would be taking place in the proper context -- of national priorities and mature relations among the generations.
Instead, the country faces the ugly prospect of a ''debate" about an ideological gimmick -- investment accounts -- that its proponents have finally acknowledged has no relation whatsoever to the long-range problems of the social insurance system it irresponsibly tinkers with....