The president's proposal would reduce benefits for people living on Social Security and subject what was left to substantially greater risk.

Republicans are hoping no one will notice their rapid retreat from the issue of Social Security.

For 70 years, Social Security has never failed to pay a promised benefit to seniors or people with disabilities - it has never been a day late or a dollar short, ... The plan he (Bush) is offering won't even come close to putting the program on solid financial footing.

Imagine if we had privatized Social Security, and all these people had $50,000 or $100,000 in their accounts. Imagine the pressure that would be put on to let people take this money out.

More young people believe they'll see a U.F.O. than that they'll see their own Social Security benefits.

This is going to be critical to make sure people have access to their Social Security, or SSI, or now, unfortunately, unemployment checks,