Social Security

Recently, a police watchdog group investigated the process of filing a complaint against a police officer in a number of police departments in Florida.  The results were shocking.  Only very few actually had formal complaint forms, which isn't in itself a major problem -- it's possible to take complaints without a paper form.  The question is whether it's possible to do so fairly, as a number of extremely unprofessional police officers demonstrated while caught on a hidden camera.   Some of the officers pictured threatened the members of the group with traffic tickets, or demanded id while calling the behavior "suspicious", and one irate officer followed the attempted complainer out into the street and put his hand on his gun. 

Are these people we want to have a monopoly on lethal force?

Although the media has focused on the Presidentýs proposal to end the harmful double taxation of dividends, he deserves far more credit for proposing tax-free savings accounts. These accounts would benefit millions of American families not only by reducing their taxes, but also by planting the seeds for them to enjoy financial stability and peace of mind decades later. Sadly, however, the Presidentýs own Republican leadership in the House of Representatives opposes the new savings accounts. Some members have told the White House that they will not fight to ensure passage of the proposal, preferring instead to tinker with the current retirement plan rules. This is truly unfortunate, because the President and our nation desperately need real anti-tax conservatives crafting legislation in the House.

A policy that lets people trying to fraudulently obtain Social Security cards leave with their bogus documents is coming under fire from congressional leaders after the federal inspector who blew the whistle was threatened with suspension.

Much of this election year's rhetoric has been about Iraq, terrorism, and the economy. Understandably, Americans may think the importance of their vote stops at the water's edge of these issues. They would be wrong. The stakes are much higher.

This election is also about choosing between two overarching philosophies: Should individuals be free to choose and be responsible for their own actions, or should these liberties be the role of government? This is a big one. The stakes are high. One side will lose.

How do you vote for a workable solution to the social security timebomb when neither candidate is proposing one?