PrintJanuary 19, 2005
Social Security, strategery – and South Park
Astute political observers such as Bill Kristol have puzzled over President Bush giving top second term priority to Social Security reform. Unlike tax cuts or other possible priorities, the payoff for private Social Security accounts will come many years in the future, when currently young voters retire. Why spend so much political capital when there is no immediate gain? Just because it is the right thing to do?
Unquestionably, the President believes in the wisdom of changing Social Security from an income transfer system to a capital accumulation/income generation system. But there is also a sophisticated and visionary political strategy at work, one which has largely escaped the notice of his critics and opponents.
Characteristically, President Bush chooses a limited number of fundamental priorities, and makes certain that each item will serve several different ends, while reinforcing the other priorities. This sophisticated approach to strategy, which he learned in the classrooms...(Read Full Article)
