And it's sure to drive the right-wing bonkers:
Legalizing more immigrants would help bolster the Social Security system, former President Bill Clinton told the nation's largest Hispanic-rights organization Friday.
"Those of you who want immigration reform should use Social Security more," Clinton said to about 1,300 members of the League of United Latin American Citizens. "If we legalize just 250,000 more immigrants a year, it would solve half of the shortfall in the Social Security Trust Fund."
More legalized immigrants would put more young people in the system to help support the deluge of baby boomer retirees, Clinton said.
During his 48-minute speech, Clinton didn't mention President Bush's plan to privatize some Social Security accounts, but he did criticize the administration indirectly.
Clinton said Hispanics experienced economic and educational gains under his presidency, but have since faltered, and it was time to figure out "where do we go from here?"
Rest of it at
The AP
It's certainly different than a lot of other "fixes" floating around, but is it more unpopular than raising taxes?
I've never seen the math on this so is what Clinton proposes practical? Is it a gift to employers of illegal immigrants to help get some of them off the hook? While the job market now is nothing like the heights of the Clinton era, I think it will feed into the people's xenophobia--but hopefully their love of a more secure retirement will not be trumped by any anti-immigration feelings. Or so we hope. Neo "Minute Men" need not apply.
UPDATE: He seems to be talking about illegal immigrants.
Clinton said in his speech, "Why don't we just legalize another 250,000 people that are here anyway and solve that social security problem we have." Clinton also stated "that our differences are important...our common humanity matters more."
Other story