New York Times Columnist Peter Orszag Joins the Social Security Fearmongering Crowd

Modest though Social Security's benefits are, they are vitally important to the millions of Americans for whom they provide a small measure of economic security. Consistent with their importance and modest size, poll after poll has demonstrated that huge majorities of Democrats, Republicans and self-identified Tea Partiers, categorically reject cutting Social Security benefits, including raising the retirement age.

Members of 215 national and state-based organizations of the Strengthen Social Security Campaign, representing over 50 million Americans, want a serious discussion about Social Security. But unlike Orszag, we want it in the sunshine, with the input of the American people, not behind closed doors by a commission whose members are primarily wealthy elites who seem closer to Wall Street than Main Street.

It is time for the President to assure the people that he is listening, that he hears them loud and clear, that he truly believes in government in the sunshine, and that he understands that he works for them. Americans don't want Social Security "saved" by cutting guaranteed benefits that people have earned through hard work. If the President's advisers are whispering in his ear that he should defy the will of the people concerning Social Security, and champion a backroom deal that cuts Social Security, they are giving him bad advice, which the American people are not likely to forget when they return to the polls in two years.