Brave New Reformer

IF George W Bush’s father had run on the same Social Security plan in 1988 that the son did in 2000, Michael Dukakis would have been our 41st president. As President Bush forges ahead on entitlement reform, that thought should give him comfort that the politics of the issue has changed—but also remind him of the risks that remain.

Bush has just named a commission of eight Republicans and eight Democrats who agree with him that workers should be allowed to take some of the money they currently give to Social Security and invest it for themselves. The commission is supposed to report in the fall, and the president may ask Congress to act on its recommendations shortly thereafter.

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

IF George W Bush’s father had run on the same Social Security plan in 1988 that the son did in 2000, Michael Dukakis would have been our 41st president. As President Bush forges ahead on entitlement reform, that thought should give him comfort that the politics of the issue has changed—but also remind him of the risks that remain.

Bush has just named a commission of eight Republicans and eight Democrats who agree with him that workers should be allowed to take some of the money they currently give to Social Security and invest it for themselves. The commission is supposed to report in the fall, and the president may ask Congress to act on its recommendations shortly thereafter.