Republicans Urge the White House to Consider Tax Increases for Social Secu

[NVMojo]

this has got to be a Rove twist ....

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 - Convinced that they need Democratic support to overhaul Social Security, leading House Republicans have begun urging the White House to consider tax increases as part of any deal.

"We want Democrats on board," Representative Jim McCrery, the Louisiana Republican who is chairman of the House subcommittee on Social Security, said in an interview on Wednesday. "I'm willing to listen to their ideas, whether it's raising the payroll tax or raising other taxes or changing benefits. I want to hear their thoughts."

President Bush has adamantly opposed tax increases as part of a solution to long-term Social Security problems. But Republicans have begun floating possible alternatives for changing the system as they confront mounting opposition to plans for personal accounts. Democrats, too, have begun to seize on the increasingly vocal reservations by their counterparts.

"It's a non-starter to talk about privatizing Social Security," the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said.

Sounding almost eager for a fight, Mr. Reid dared Mr. Bush to offer a detailed plan.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20social.html?pagewanted=print&position=