‘Roadmap’ deals
with reality
The editorial debate on my reform plan “A Roadmap
for America’s Future” underscores the need for an
adult conversation on tackling our nation’s greatest
fiscal and economic challenges (“One lonely plan in
Congress highlights tough choices,” Our view,
Balancing the budget debate, Tuesday).
OUR VIEW: One lonely plan in Congress highlights
tough choices
OPPOSING VIEW: ‘More harm than good’
To be clear, the Roadmap reforms make no changes
to Social Security and Medicare for those 55 and
older, and offer future generations the same health
and retirement security options I enjoy as a member
of Congress. Your editorial’s concern with the plan’s
perceived “carnage” misses the entire premise of
entitlement reform: We are already on a crash course
to collapse. Our critical social insurance programs
are set to implode, inflicting real “carnage” on
society’s most vulnerable.
I put forward a plan to avert this perilous future with
gradual, sensible reforms. The retirement age
increase would not reach 70 until the next century.
Benefits would continue to grow for all seniors,
albeit on a more sustainable path for higher-income
individuals set to retire over a decade from now. If
we act now, we can protect and preserve these
critical programs for those in and near retirement,
while strengthening health and retirement security
for future generations.
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., argues in his opposing
view that we can simply chase the explosive growth
of government spending with ever-higher taxes (”
‘More harm than good’ “). You cannot tax your way
out of this problem; the revenue cannot
mathematically keep pace, and if you try, you’ll kill
the economy.
Democratic leaders eager to demagogue solutions
heartless disservice to seniors, the poor and future
generations. The social safety net is in crisis and
must be reformed to strengthen America’s
commitment to those most reliant on it. Should
Washington continue to cling to the unsustainable
status quo, a truly draconian future awaits.
The Roadmap is a plan for prosperity, not austerity.
It serves as an invitation for my colleagues to offer
solutions of their own to restore the promise and
prosperity of our exceptional nation.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Janesville, Wis.
