THE TRUE CONSERVATIVE POSITION: Social Security and Medicare are an integral part of the social fabric. A fiscal crisis looms; millions of elderly Americans would suffer greatly if benefits are cut when the trust fund runs out of assets. The logical way to deal with the problem is with moderate tax increases–most notably, by increasing or lifting the income caps on contributions.
THE GOP’S POSITION: We never support tax increases (except for Trump’s tariffs, which we pretend aren’t taxes). The key here is to get the Democrats to accept at least partial responsibility for benefit cuts.
TRUMP’S POSITION: I’m caught between the base, which is passionate about maintaining benefits, and the leadership here. The best course of action is to do nothing and leave the problem for someone else.
CONCLUSION: The leadership and Trump are both being irresponsible, but in different ways. Neither has a legitimate claim to be conservative.