Fixing Social Security

The Senate unanimously agreed Tuesday that strengthening Social Security was "a
vital national priority" but split acrimoniously along party lines on what to do
about it in the first votes on President Bush's plans.
In one exception to
the party divide, five Republicans broke ranks and voted with the Democrats in
favor of a resolution declaring, "Congress should reject any Social Security
plan that requires deep benefit cuts or a massive increase in debt."

So why is there debate? Apparently, both Democrats and Republicans agree that Social Security needs to be fixed. After all, doing nothing would mean that after the illusory "trust fund" is exhausted around 2042, benefits would have to be cut about 30% (I'd call that deep), or debt would have to be increased, to pay promised benefits.

It's another meaningless vote by a party unwilling to deal with this serious problem.