Here's one sentence you can throw into the conversation every time someone wrings his or her hands over having to fix SS in order to cut the deficit:

Social Security has NOTHING to do with the deficit.

Now, why doesn't the president know that?  Or if he does, why isn't he being honest about it?  Ditto for the members of Congress who can't seem to say "Social Security" without also saying "deficit."  Why hasn't the media done some honest reporting on this?

To protect the civilians in a country that is still home to insurgents with Al Qaeda and Iranian-backed militias, the State Department is planning to more than double its private security guards, up to as many as 7,000, according to administration officials who disclosed new details of the plan. Defending five fortified compounds across the country, the security contractors would operate radars to warn of enemy rocket attacks, search for roadside bombs, fly reconnaissance drones and even staff quick reaction forces to aid civilians in distress, the officials said.
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The department's plans to rely on 6,000 to 7,000 security contractors, who are also expected to form "quick reaction forces" to rescue civilians in trouble, is a sensitive issue, given Iraqi fury about shootings of civilians by American private guards in recent years. Administration officials said that security contractors would have no special immunity and would be required to register with the Iraqi government. In addition, one of the State Department's regional security officers, agents who oversee security at diplomatic outposts, will be required to approve and accompany every civilian convoy, providing additional oversight.