Sheldon Whitehouse actually said...

If we are going to have a conversation of some kind that is not going to happen unless we have a Republican proposal to work with, something...

the only ways to ensure Social Security remains solvent is to either raise revenue, or cut benefits

These are the two competing visions. In one, we increase inequality and do less to make America a good place to work and retire.

I've spent enough time in the Senate to think that freewheeling chat among Senators is rarely productive.