“The Social Security system was based on a false premise, with regard to how fast the number of workers would increase and how fast the number of retirees would increase.”
– Ronald Reagan, during his second debate with Jimmy Carter, October 28, 1980.
Broadly speaking, Truman could win amid tough times in 1948 because the country had confidence in the Democratic party’s ability to govern. That simply does not exist today, which is why the Truman model won’t work for Obama.
AdvertisementInstead, it looks more and more like Obama is actually going to run Carter’s 1980 campaign. Sure, he has nothing popular to show for his four years in office, but he’s still better than the out-and-out radical the GOP just nominated. Will that work for Obama?
Well … did it work for Carter?
– Jay Cost, the Weekly Standard, “Why Truman Can’t Save Obama,” today.
Related: From Roger L. Simon, blogging from the Reagan Library tonight, “Notes from the Spin Room — Perils of the ‘P-word.’”
No… it did now work for Carter
Frankly, if Barack Obama called someone a “stupid idiot” they should put it on their resume. If Obama really wants to torpedo an opponent, he should announce that he thinks highly of him or her.
I think “false premise” captures the idea perfectly. Social Security is a ponzi scheme that assumed (based on their current demographics) that the working population would increase enough to account for retired people drawing benefits.
However, increases in birth control, societal changes brought on by increased affluence, industrial/clerical work over farming and medical advances (increased lifespan) changed the equation and the current numbers don’t work anymore.