Why do you think Congress and the President are reluctant to fix the problems (identified in the text) with the Social Security System?
What will be an ideal response?
As the text points out, the system cannot go on in its current state indefinitely. The issues are complex and politicians may be reluctant to deal with these issues for two main reasons. One, Social Security is something that impacts just about everyone. The current recipients (retirees and disabled) are dependent on the income and will not look favorably on any politician that will talk about reducing benefits. Also, those who are still working but approaching retirement age will not look favorably on any politician who talks about extending the time before a worker can begin drawing benefits. On the other hand, those currently working will not look favorably on any politician that discusses raising the social security tax, since those currently working are paying for those currently receiving. What we see is a form of moral hazard on the part of politicians. It may be easy to run for office and say you will address the problems, but once elected there is a strong incentive to pass the problem on those to follow.
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