A rockstar S4 member from Southern California, Darin Schemmer, recently pointed out how Ronald Reagan was an advocate for Social Security reform…even way back in 1964!   Check out a few excerpts from his famous speech, "A Time for Choosing."

Reagan, after touching on the "fiscal shortcomings" of Social Security says:

"A young man, 21 years of age, working at an average salary -- his Social Security contribution would, in the open market, buy him an insurance policy that would guarantee 220 dollars a month at age 65. The government promises 127. He could live it up until he's 31 and then take out a policy that would pay more than Social Security. Now are we so lacking in business sense that we can't put this program on a sound basis, so that people who do require those payments will find they can get them when they're due -- that the cupboard isn't bare?"

YAY for Reagan sounding off on many of the same ideas we promote today, like utilizing the "open market" to get a better rate of return than what the current system is promising.   Reagan goes on to bring up the principles of ownership and choice…two of our favorite concepts here at S4!

"At the same time, can't we introduce voluntary features that would permit a citizen who can do better on his own to be excused upon presentation of evidence that he had made provision for the non-earning years? Should we not allow a widow with children to work, and not lose the benefits supposedly paid for by her deceased husband? Shouldn't you and I be allowed to declare who our beneficiaries will be under this program, which we cannot do?"

It's great to see how such a beloved man upheld the same ideas and principles that we here at S4 are fighting for — a system of Social Security that allows more ownership and control of our tax dollars and utilizes the open market to provide a better rate of return.   I think Reagan's greatest point, when referring to Democrats and Republicans, was when he emphasized that "there's no such thing as a left or a right, there's only an up or a down."   Too often public policy is driven by partisan politics; let's hope our elected leaders can remember Reagan's wisdom and work together, regardless of party affiliation, to solve the problems facing Social Security and bring true retirement security to our generation.

Written by Evan Dent