• Mike Huckabee believes that the social security program is in serious trouble because of
increased costs. 

• He proposes to acquire funding for social security with a 'Fair Tax' because not only does
it have a broader base but is also more stable and reliable than the existent method of relying only
on wage earners.
 
• In his opinion, the retirement funds of the individual should be personalized and not
privatized because privatization often conjures up images of bankrupt private companies in the minds
of people. Personalization, on the other hand, would enable the people to have a greater say over
their money, would provide them with an option of one-time buy-out and also release their dependence
on the Government.
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• Mike Huckabee has expressed support in favor of former President Bush's idea of personal
retirement accounts which is designed to enable all Americans to make an investment towards their
future in their inheritance. Like President Bush, Mike Huckabee feels that this would solve the
problem of the unfunded liabilities of the social security system to a great extent.
 
• Mike Huckabee is probably the only candidate who has stated that not only should the
pensions of congressmen be cancelled but that they should also be subjected to the same social
security system and independent retirement accounts like other citizens. This point of view is based
on the belief that the members of the Congress are meant to be the 'servants of the people' and not
the 'princes of privilege' which they are at present.
  
• Mike Huckabee has expressed the intention of replacing all the various types of taxes like
personal, corporate, gift, estate and Medicare with a single tax known as 'Fair Tax' which would be
based on wealth.

• Sarah Palin has been judged over a period of time by supporters and critics alike to be
confused about the issue of social security in general due to which she has often got tangled in her
own attempts to question her opposition's stands on the issue.

• She has expressed support for the funding of the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program so that it
can be saved from the relentless decline which it has been facing. She said that it saddened her to
see many senior citizens being disappointed with the program since it could not deliver its
promises.
 
• Sarah Palin has also expressed support for home and community based assistance programs
meant for senior citizens as they are not only economic assistance but also allow the seniors to
lead a life of dignity by permitting them to remaining in their homes and communities.

• According to Palin, institutional alternatives for senior citizens should not be encouraged
as these are expensive as well as ineffective.
 
• Time and again whenever she has got an opportunity, Sarah Palin has expressed her love for
senior citizens and has also publicly pledged never to let them down. She has also ensured full
support and respect to the pioneers in the administration.
 
• Sarah Palin's ignorance about the details of Medicaid have become well known through her
varieds responses in relation to the issue.  It is evident that she is confused about entitlement
programs and also unaware of the limited influence of the Government in case of social security,
Medicaid and Medicare.    

• Mitt Romney has refused to raise taxes as a means for enhancing the social security fund
because according to him this would only slow down the economy. He believes that social security can
be balanced through measures like encouraging people to invest in personal accounts, changing the
retirement age and calculating benefit for wealthy Americans on the basis of Consumer Price Index.
 
• Mitt Romney has stated that he would excuse any individual over 65 years of age from Social
Security taxes as not only would it encourage people to keep working but would also ensure the
continued growth of the economy.
 
• Mitt Romney has taken the stand that he is against cutting benefits for low-income
Americans, in favor of tying Social Security benefits to prices and also in favor of bringing
together various groups of people to work out a solution to control the rising costs of Medicaid and
Medicare. 

• Mitt Romney has expressed support for Obama's proposal putting the money attached to Social
security in private accounts and has also suggested extension of retirement age and base indexing on
prices rather than wages.
 
• Mitt Romney is of the opinion that Social security and Medicare are two sectors which are
in dire need of reforms and restructuring and the only way to achieve this would be for all
political parties to sit together behind closed doors and have a comprehensive discussion without
letting things get out of control.

• According to Mitt Romney, not only should the political parties be mindful of the
expectations of the present recipients but should also take into account the future. 

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