Get 'Em On The Grid
by digby
I've been saying this for a long time. If it weren't for the bigotry and xenophobia that's really driving the immigration debate, this would the obvious solution to a number of problems, even the ones that don't exist:
Crist called Social Security "one of the only federal programs that's working" and criticized his U.S. Senate rivals for proposing reforms. Republican Marco Rubio has suggested raising the retirement age, while Democrat Kendrick Meek wants to "punt it to a commission," said Crist, a former Republican running without party affiliation.
"I'm the only candidate in the race who is saying we need to preserve it as it is and protect it," Crist told about 400 Century Village residents.
He added: "There are other ways we can help fund it, by creating a pathway to citizenship. Secure the border, make sure we have a pathway that is earned — no amnesty — and if we have those 11 to 14 million people productively participating in the American economy and paying the payroll taxes that would be attended to it, that would help Social Security."
If demographics are the problem, as everyone says it is, then short of forcing seniors to work into their 70s (at what?) or forcing citizens to have more children, this is the obvious solution --- more working people. (The demographics aren't really much of a problem in reality, but since we can't possibly raise taxes on the poor oppressed wealthy, the minor shortfall anticipated in 30 years or so could easily be dealt with with by allowing more people to pay into the system.)
Unfortunately, the problem for a whole lot of bigoted Americans is that they don't like Spanish speaking people. They're ruining our traditional mall and fast food culture which must be preserved for our children.
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