Social Insecurity - Put Up or Shut Up

First, some of the best political news I have heard all week.

From the Washington Post:

Democrats have not detailed a plan to shore up Social Security, and do not intend to (emphasis added), a senior Senate Democratic leadership aide said, because they think they are winning the political war over personal accounts.

I love this, but for what it's worth, I think the stated reason is the wrong one. Who is winning the political war isn't the point. Democrats are under no obligation to offer a plan to counter Bush's because Bush hasn't even presented one yet.

We have, in fact, reached an opportune moment. It is time for the Democrats to call the president out. You have a plan? Fine, let's hear it. Enough of this nonsense about "where's our plan?" Where's yours?

The president says Social Security is insolvent. He acknowledges that private accounts won't address this problem. What, then? The only way to address it is with two negatives that would, ideally, yield an algebraic positive: payroll tax increases and Social Security benefit cuts. Of course, Bush doesn't want to offer a plan! What is he, stupid (don't answer that - rhetorical question)?

But, even if the president were to offer a plan, the Democrats should still let it stand or fall on its own. They should never offer one of their own. They should say, "our plan is Social Security. Now, what's yours?" Or, let's see which Republican lawmaker they get to fall on his sword and attach his name to a proposal that will, at the same time, result in smaller benefit checks for retirees and smaller paychecks for workers.

Our plan is Social Security. You got a better idea? Let's hear it. We'll call it "The Bush Plan!"