Rod Grams: “on July 1st, concerned Americans will gather in Cranston, Rhode Island, for the second in what will be a series of…”

“on July 1st, concerned Americans will gather in Cranston, Rhode Island, for the second in what will be a series of public meetings called the ``Great Social Security Debate.'' I want to thank the Concord Coalition, the American Association of Retired Persons, and Americans Discuss Social Security for sponsoring this event. The first forum, which took place last April 7th in Kansas City, Missouri, was a great success. The discussions in Rhode Island will no doubt be equally compelling, especially given the focus of the debate: ``Retirement in the 21st Century.'' It is with one eye to the 21st Century that I rise today to speak about Social Security's past--to offer some perspective on its history and what we can learn from our attempts at social policy making. In recent years, as more and more Americans become aware of its looming financial and demographic crisis, Social Security is no longer the ``third rail'' of American politics. Both Democrats and Republicans have offered reform plans, including ones that would set up individual retirement accounts--a suddenly mainstream idea that would have been considered heresy just a couple of years ago.”