No solutions, just an idea.
Don't start another Ponzi regardless to any hope_and_change pleas.
In ideal world, unfunded liabilities would be requested from those who created the scheme; just a fairness.
By the way, every country, except USA, allows and even encourages to invest general retirement funds in real things, i.e. market.

>Well Ed, I have an open mind, whats your solution....
>Trillions in unfunded liabilities, somethings got to give....
>
>
>>It seems you are quite prepared to 'fix' Medicare the same way, i.e. "Even though it will increase my own tax bite, I see nothing wrong ...".
>>
>>>Obviously SS can not continue as it is. Benefits will be cut or elimated, Taxes will be increased, the young will get nothing but be forced to pay the most until they revolt.
>>>
>>>Even though it will increase my own tax bite, I see nothing wrong with elimating the ceiling and we need to start means testing the recipients so people like McCain won't get a check.
>>>
>>>But the real problem is medicare.....
>>>
>>>Bob
>>>
>>>>http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080728/D926O27G0.html
>>>>
>>>>What concerns me is the purpose of the social security tax. Won't this be Americans forced to pay for their retirement but will never receive a dime from it?