President Bush and Vice President Cheney say that Social Security faces an $11 Trillion Deficit. However, according to the Anneberg Institutes Factcheck.org ” actuaries say the figure is ‘likely to mislead’ the public on the system’s true financial state” because Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney “fail to mention that this is over the course of the ‘infinite future.’ ” Read more at http://www.factcheck.org/article302.html.

“This entire debate is about ideology — between people who believe in the benefits Social Security has brought America in the last three-quarters of a century and those who think it was a bad idea from the start. There is an honest debate to have on this point, a values debate.”

Debate is a good thing, reassessing public policy priorities of a program that has been in place for over 70 years is beneficial. However, based upon the recent memo from Karl Rove’s deputy, Peter H. Wehner, Josh Marshall points out it is important to be clear on the goals and motives of this administration. The goal “isn’t about ’saving’ Social Security. It is a battle to end Social Security and replace it with something that Wehner clearly understands is very different, indeed the antithesis of Social Security.”

Source: Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo. As always, the Bush Adminstration solitary goal is to win, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve their objectives.