That's right--they shouldn't "save" it (preserve it as it is)...they should change it--by making it bigger!
The Democrats are letting the Republicans set the agenda and are always playing defence. I say, it's time to go on the offence.
He who dares, wins.
Step 1: The Democrats block the proposal to destroy Social Security (privatise means "piratise").
Step 2: The Democrats should counter with a bold new proposal: EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY
This will be done in three ways:
First, Social Security taxes will be made progressive. Right now, they are regressive because no income above $87,900 is subject to the tax. Eliminate that cap and hundreds of billions will flow into the system, allowing for increased benefit payments to the poorest and neediest Americans.
Second, change the structure of Social Security taxes from the flat 6.2% on the first $87,900 of wages to a multi-tiered system. The poorest workers would pay only a small fraction of their wages into the system, while the wealthiest workers would pay 10-15%% of their wages into the system. Not only that, but make investment income (which primarily goes to the wealthiest Americans) over $100,000 a year subject to a special Social Security tax.
Third, increase benefits. Social Security is the only proven, reliable system for providing an old age pension for Americans. Removing the income cap, making some investment income subject to the tax, and tiering the tax rates will make it fairer and infuse new cash into the system, thus allowing benefits to be increased dramatically. Social Security will no longer be a supplemental source of retirement income, but rather a primary source of retirement income.
The Democrats need to come up with bold new ideas that build on their successes of the past. I believe that my ideas are worth fighting for, and would greatly benefit American society as a whole by providing a great new source of savings (which are sorely lacking in America) and ease Americans' worries about retirement--not to mention sticking it to the Republicans (which had crossed my mind).