LINDA CHAVEZ: Raiding Social Security. Some additional thoughts:

First, that 2% tax break we've been hearing about so much lately really doesn't exist. The 2% payroll tax you don't pay is being paid out of the General Fund; i.e., your income taxes. It's a classic bait-and-switch.

Second, it's instructive to see how much the payroll taxes have grown over time. In 1962, when I graduated from high school, my father paid 3.125% of his income (with another 3.125% paid by his employer) up to a limit of $4,800/year. There was no Medicare tax until 1966. In 2010, when I turned 66, I paid 6.2% (with the other 6.2% paid by my employer) up to a limit of $106,800. Medicare cost another 1.45% (with the corresponding employer contribution) with no limit on income.

Over 48 years, that's an increase of 198% in tax rate and an increase of 2,225% in income limit. Roughly speaking, about an 8.25% per year increase, not including Medicare.

Here's the data: Social Security/Medicare tax rates and contribution limits.