Ask Your Lawmaker

Answer from: U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)

I guess I need to really look at that. That’s an interesting idea. I’m not gonna respond to that until I see whether there is any efficacy to what the person is saying, but that’s an interesting idea. I am convinced that one of the things that is necessary with social security is to make sure we stop raiding the fund first of all. And secondarily we need to allow people some flexibility, because there are only three ways to affect the ultimate pay out. That is either pay more in, or take less out, or do something different with the investment mechanism of what’s put in. And for me that is where we have overlooked the big issue is that third one. You know, social security, as an investment, is paying like less than 1% return; its just not a good return. And we need to try to latch on to the economic strength of the country to help fund retirement. Reporter: You know politics, you know Washington, do you feel like there is enough political will to tackle this issue? Franks: Without sounding arrogant, I will try to vote for what I think is the right thing, including something like this, if I thought it was the right thing, if we can get a fair vote, which is always the challenge.”

Answered on Sep 19th, 2008