Posted by Joel Mathis January 3, 2005 at 8:10 a.m.

Social Security reform ahead

Partial privatization of Social Security might not be a hard sell in the Kansas congressional delegation.[The Associated Press][1] reports: "Republican Sen. Sam Brownback and Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jim Ryun expressed support for the general idea, while Republican Rep. Jerry Moran and Democratic Rep. Dennis Moore had reservations about it. Sen. Pat Roberts said it's too soon to back any plan over another.""The program's long-term financial solvency has been questioned, though most experts think the Social Security will be in good shape for at least a few more decades." "It's on a path that doesn't hold much promise for my kids," Tiahrt said. "For me, I'm fine. I get a meager return on my investment. But I still think we can do something to make it solvent in the future. We do that by encouraging savings. We do that by giving a little bit back.""Roberts said that in 1950, there were about 17 workers paying into the system for every one recipient of Social Security. In 2035, he said, the ratio will be 2.5 workers to every Social Security recipient."Sam Brownback candidacy watchColumnist [Robert Novak][2] wrote Sunday that Brownback is a likely candidate for president in 2008."Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas is clearly interested in the Republican presidential nomination for 2008, running as the candidate of social conservatives," Novak wrote."Brownback, who came to the House as part of the 1994 Republican takeover, was elected to Robert J. Dole's Senate seat in 1996 despite Dole's opposition. He has been a leader on the stem-cell research question, as well as other social issues."Other links:Sam Brownback links [Brownback sees 'culture of life' prevailing in '05:][3] "As conservative Christians ascend on Capitol Hill, thorny questions of how religion and politics relate seem inevitable in the 109th Congress," reports The Wichita Eagle. "Sen. Sam Brownback sees a chance for long-sought victories on embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, abortion, gay marriage, federal judges and other issues dear to social conservatives."[Bush defends administration's response to tsunami disaster:][4] "Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a leading proponent of increasing foreign aid, said the administration had erred in its early response (to the tsunami) by citing the $15 million figure," reports The Los Angeles Times. "I don't know that I would have put out the initial figure, since looking at this, you know that it's going to go up substantially," Brownback, an administration ally, said in an interview. How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][5] [1]: http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/192140 [2]: http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak02.html [3]: http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/news/nation/10551423.htm [4]: http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/12/30/a1.quakeaid.1230.html [5]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed