Should Republicans go ahead and add Supreme Court Justices to head off Democrats

Wexler wants rich to pay more for Social Security without increasing their benefits

Washington Times:

Rep. Robert Wexler, Florida Democrat, broke with his party leadership yesterday and introduced a plan to fix Social Security by raising taxes, saying it's time more Democrats join the dialogue by introducing plans of their own.
"I hope mine is the first of several Democratic plans that are offered," Mr. Wexler said. "I believe it's time Democrats offer an alternative to the president."
Republicans have urged Democrats repeatedly to offer plans of their own, instead of just criticizing President Bush's ideas, so they were encouraged by Mr. Wexler's move. But it didn't make Democratic leaders happy.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, largely has been successful in holding her rank and file unified around the premise that Democrats won't negotiate on Social Security or offer a plan until Mr. Bush takes his private-accounts idea off the table.
Although a few Democrats offered Social Security "lockbox" proposals early in the year, Mr. Wexler is the first from his party to be lead sponsor of a plan since the debate on the program hit a high pitch in recent months.
Mr. Wexler said he talked to Mrs. Pelosi about his plan, and that "it's certainly fair to say Mrs. Pelosi did not encourage me to do this."
"This is not the Democratic plan," said Pelosi spokeswoman Jennifer Crider. "When the Democratic caucus is ready to put their plan forth, they will."

I think most Democrats want to pay for the shortfall with a higher income tax rate on the rich instead of the payroll tax. That is why they are really afraid to come forward, and are using a passive aggressive strategy in the fight with the President.