Perspective detail: The Baby Boomers, the Budget and Social Security

Perspective 1: Maintain our Commitment to All Seniors, Even if it Means Raising Taxes and Cutting Other Programs

Our government should keep Social Security intact so that all Americans can have a stable retirement. Even if it requires raising taxes significantly, or slashing spending on other government programs, the promise of income security in retirement years for every American must be honored. It is immoral and unthinkable to arbitrarily reduce benefits to older Americans because of the financial pressures created by the size of the baby boom generation.


Therefore, we should:

  • Create a national Social Security sales tax, reserving the proceeds from this tax for only one purpose—to keep the Social Security solvent.
  • Gradually raise the retirement age to 70 to control costs.

Pros and Cons for this Perspective
Discuss this choicework