I am glad to see Max Sawicky posting to PEN-L. Since I know he has done a lot in the area of social security, wonder if he (or anyone else for that matter) could comment on the book by C.Eugene Steuerle and Jon Bakija _Retooling Social Security for the 21st Century_. I just used it in my Public Finance course and I'm very impressed. But I wonder if Max agrees with the view that there is a "fundamental imbalance" in the social security system that has to be addressed -- and the sooner the better. Steuerle and Bakija do not accept the Peter Peterson set of recommendations but they do beleve some judicious increases in the retirement age (both early and normal) and making all of Social Security taxable would go a long way towards restoring the system to actuarial balance after 2020. Any responses will be welcomed. Particularly "reviews" of the Steuerle-Bakija book. Thanks in advance, Mike -- Mike Meeropol Economics Department Cultures Past and Present Program Western New England College Springfield, Massachusetts "Don't blame us, we voted for George McGovern!" Unrepentent Leftist!! [EMAIL PROTECTED] [if at bitnet node: in%"[EMAIL PROTECTED]" but that's fading fast!]
