w again primarily because of public interest and concern about the probable effects of a major demographic shift that is n the horizon. The extremely large group of citizens born in the post-World War II period--that much discussed baby boom generation-- is heading toward retirement, and the generation that will take place in the workforce is far smaller, raising fears about the Social Security program being able to sustain into the future. Even if the issue did not have quite the headline appeal that the baby-boomers constantly create, it would be the subject of official concern because, by law, the Trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund are required to look seventy-five years into the future to determine whether, according to the best demographic and economic forecast available, Social Security will be able to obtain enough money through payroll
             taxes on current workers to continue to pay benefits to those in retirement. If the forecast indicates a problem, a solution must be found. (The American Prospect, PG 77).
             President Clinton, in Kansas City the week of April 6 1999, opened what promises to be a years-long national dialog on the future of Social Security by saying that it would take only relatively small changes-and not a drastic overhaul-to guarantee the program for millions of baby boomers. (The American Prospect, PG 56) "We should not abandon a basic program that has been one to the great successes in our nation's history," President Clinton said. (New York Times, 1998).
             President Clinton told a group of westerners at the town meeting that with the federal government now operating in the black, reforms are achievable without increasing the payroll tax paid by almost all workers and their employers. The question was asked, "What reassurance could you give us that anything is actually going to be done with this?" Clinton said he believes lawmakers will act because it's an issue ...