GOP candidates tackle core issues
Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry before a Republican presidential candidate debate (Sept. 7, 2011) Credit: AP
Between bouts of bickering at the GOP presidential debate Wednesday over exactly who created which jobs when, some substantive ideas and meaningful discussions managed to peek their heads out.
The hottest topic might have been Social Security, and whether it is a "Ponzi scheme." Texas Gov. Rick Perry argued it is, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was firm in his defense of the program.
Ponzi scheme is an unfair term, but only because it implies ill intent and criminal acts. But unless Social Security is tweaked, at some stage there's no way for future retirees to get their promised benefits, because there won't be enough new contributions coming after them. We live longer, and have fewer children, than was envisioned when the program was designed.
It's unproductive to demonize Social Security, yet unrealistic to defend it as is. Instead, it would behoove serious candidates to explain which of the possible fixes -- later retirements, higher payroll taxes, removing the cap on salary subject to Social Security taxes -- or other ideas they support.
When and whether we should deploy our military to foreign lands was also discussed, but without enough specifics. The battle between isolationism and interventionism needs to be thrashed out clearly because the Republican Party includes much support for both. Top candidates must take a stand, and in order to clarify their positions, explain what they would do in specific situations including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. So far they haven't.
On immigration, the most popular candidates say secure the border, then deal with the 11 million illegal immigrants already here, but won't explain their plan for helping or expelling these men, women and children once "the wall" is completed.
For all the complaints about the field, these candidates run the gamut of conservatism and have a sweeping variety of life experience. This race is a great opportunity to test their philosophies, mine the best of the solutions they offer, and discredit and discard the worst ones.
But the serious candidates have to get as serious about explaining how they would lead as the seekers less likely to triumph are. Right now, it's only the ones unlikely to be nominated, like Texas Congressman Ron Paul and Atlanta businessman Herman Cain, who are showing the courage to do so.
