[Toddsterpatriot]

By arguing for either a.) reduced benefits, b.) need's based benefits, or c.) alternative nvestment vehicles for surplus

I would be positively disposed to sensible, well thought out proposals along any or all of these three lines.

I thought I was arguing along these lines. Reduce my benefits to zero. Let me invest my own contributions. My need will then be zero. There will be some costs associated with the transition, but this will avoid the demographic disaster we are aproaching.

The surplus that sits in Washington just gives the politicians the ability to spend(waste) that much more on crap.

I think Reagan had the right idea, if we cut taxes thats the only chance to starve the government. If you could borrow at t-bill rates to pay off your credit cards or help your company grow, I think that is a good arbitrage. The added government debt would restrict (hopefully) the wasteful spending and the added growth of GDP would help everyone.

[Deuce]

I thought I was arguing along these lines. Reduce my benefits to zero.

I assume you mean reduce everyone's benefits to zero and provide for some transition. Define the transition, and then pitch it to your favorite Congresspeople. I doubt you will get a single endorsement.