5. What do you think should be done now to protect Social Security in the future?

The Social Security Administration says the program will begin to run cash-flow deficits in 2017 and will need $25 trillion (in 2002 dollars) more than it will receive in payroll taxes to pay full promised benefits through 2077. If the current system is not reformed, the high taxes that will be necessary to finance Social Security in the future will reduce job growth and disposable income.

I oppose cutting Social Security benefits to anyone. I oppose raising taxes. I oppose increasing the retirement age. I oppose any privatization plan.

Any efforts to “modernize” the Social Security system must not change existing benefits, and such efforts must preserve the disability and survivors’ components. The promises made to current retirees must be kept.

The entire Social Security surplus must be preserved only for Social Security. Social Security payroll taxes must not be increased, as they have been 20 times since the program began in 1937.

The Government itself must not invest Social Security funds in the private economy/stock market.

Congress should hold public hearings on the viability of reforms such as completely voluntary, individually controlled, personal retirement accounts that would augment the Social Security safety net.

Voluntary personal retirement accounts would enable individuals to build financial wealth and security.

The personal retirement accounts would be a voluntary add-on to the current system. They would not privatize the system.

Personal accounts invested in safe, private financial markets would earn higher rates of return than the traditional system and help workers enhance their personal savings and their freedom to retire.

Ownership of a real financial asset without the political risk of future changes would mean more security for working Americans to build their own retirement assets, and to pass those assets on to their children.

Strengthening Social Security to include personal accounts could add valuable protections for Americans at risk of poverty in old age.

Congress must seriously consider such a voluntary option and, if it’s found to be viable, articulate a clear and easily understood program.

Privatizing Social Security would be a huge mistake. I know of no one who thinks having the government invest the Social Security trust fund in companies like Enron or WorldCom—which could happen—is a good idea.

As a member of Congress, I will work hard to strengthen, preserve, and protect Social Security for today’s seniors and future generations without increasing taxes on working Americans.

6. What is your position on a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage?

The institution of marriage and family is the foundation of our civilization. We must do everything to strengthen, nothing to weaken this sacred institution.

Hawai’i’s people know this and in 1998 overwhelmingly passed an amendment to our state constitution protecting traditional marriage.

Unfortunately, Hawai’i’s great victory may be short-lived. Activist federal judges are on the verge of rewriting our U.S. Constitution to force same-sex marriage on us. State laws protecting traditional marriage could soon be torn apart by these judges.