President Bush Coming to Milwaukee today

President Bush is coming to Milwaukee today at the invitation of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) to speak about Social Security reform and private accounts. He'll be speaking outside the War Memorial Center. Entrance to the event starts at 9:15 am and the President is expected at 11:25 am.

So far, only one Democrat has proposed any alternative to the President's plan, Congressman Robert Wexler. Otherwise either Democrats have remained silent or they have denied there's a problem. One of those in denial is Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle who was quoted in today's Journal Sentinel, "We're not in any crisis mode, despite the president's effort to build it up."

The same article points out,

In three years, the first of the baby boomers will reach retirement age. In 12 years, by 2017, the system will be paying out more than it takes in, if nothing is changed.

By 2040, there will be two active workers paying into the system to support each recipient, down from today's 3-to-1 ratio, and much lower than the 16-to-1 ratio that existed in 1950.

Perhaps the Governor should read the papers more often. Perhaps the Journal Sentinel editorial board should as well.