U.S. House Majority leader John Boehner is fighting a stiff battle with fellow Republicans over the issue of Social Security. While after the Nov. 7 elections, President Bush plans to revive his plan to privatize Social Security, Boehner refuses to accept the Bush plan lying down. On ABC’s “This Week” Sunday, Boehner rigidly maintained that Americans do not comprehend the severity of the Social Security crisis. The Republican Boehner criticized the President’s desire to put a quick fix on a major problem. In 2017, the 71-year-old entitlement program will begin paying out more than it receives. Boehner’s hard stance on the privatization of Social Security suggests that with only partial support from the G.O.P., Bush will find it difficult implementing his Social Security objective. While there are other Republicans who do not support the President’s Social Security plan, Boehner has been especially on the ball about sticking it to Bush.
• Bloomberg: Social Security Hurdle