The J.A. Think Tank has come up with a plan as counter-proposal to aid in ending the Congressional gridlock concerning Social Security. We heartily believe that even the most hard-line liberal Democrats will support our proposal.

Ironically, our plan would permit individual private contributions to be upped from Bush's 4% to 5%. With our blueprint, the remaining 95% pouring into the government coffers will provide plenty to cover the increased need to handle the baby boomers. There will be no requirement to up taxes or cut benefits.

Our plan would require that 95% of all present IRA's, retirement funds, mutual funds, stock market investments, and cash hidden under mattresses be contributed to the present Social Security Lockbox. The remaining 5% would be considered as part of the individual account to be paid out in a lump sum when the individual reaches 75 years of age. If the individual were to die before the maturation of the account, his heirs would receive the disbursement. Exempt from participation with this compassionate plan would be Congressmen, Senators (and their aides) and AFSCME and NEA members (including WEAC, etc.)

I truly believe that we can quite easily get this by the reticent Democrats without taking too much heat from The New York Times or Washinton Post editorials.

We understand that we may get some flak from the Shove-God-down-your-throat-religious-right-fundamentalists, but we are armed with a ready spiritual defense.

"Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Washington or not?"
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me a dollar used for paying the tax."
They brought him a dollar, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"
"Washington's," they replied.
Then he said to them, "Give to Washington what is Washington's, and to God what is God's."" (Matthew 22:17-21, New Liberal Version)