Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

It would be fair to say that self-described socialist Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) probably disagrees with us on many issues. In terms of economic policy, for example, Sanders falls well to the left of most Democrats in the House--perhaps even all of them. While he caucuses with the Democrats, Sanders' role in the Progressive Caucus speaks for his platform more accurately.

There is one area, though, in which Sanders and Heritage seem to be in agreement.

Today's Rutland Herald covers an event Sanders held yesterday to rally local opposition to the President's plan to reform Social Security. Sanders denounced personal accounts and claimed that "the president and his allies are lying on this issue."

According to the paper,

Sanders said he supported increasing contributions from wealthy Americans into the fund and placing it in a lock box so that the taxes are not used to support the general fund.

In other words, Sanders wants to stop the raid on Social Security. The leading plan to do that right now in the House is called GROW. It would take any surplus revenue coming in to Social Security and deposit it in personal accounts, where Congress cannot spend the money. Sanders says he doesn't like personal accounts at all, but perhaps he could support the government bond-invested ones that are a part of GROW--surely meeting his (strange) objection that the President's plan "benefits only Wall Street."

Sure, we disagree with Sanders about "asking the wealthy to pay more into the system" (Well, actually, it's probably OK to ask them, but we seriously doubt that many will jump at the chance), but we also think Members of Congress from different parties should work together on important issues of mutual interest, such as entitlements. So will Rep. Sanders stand up for the idea of stopping the raid on Social Security and cross the aisle?