Web Activity 1

Summarize liberal and conservative views on a constitutional requirement to balance the federal budget. For the liberal position, go to www.movingideas.org. For the conservative position, go to www.concordcoalition.org or at www.ncpa.org/pd/budget/budget-1.html.

Web Activity 2

What is the future of Social Security? Currently Social Security is the largest holder of the national debt, a surplus that will increase and then fall as baby boomers retire. For a conservative viewpoint, visit the Cato Institute at www.socialsecurity.org/pubs/ssps/ssp-20es.html for a summary of the problem and what could be done. For an opposing view visit the AARP at http://www.aarp.org/socialsecurity-about/Articles/frequently_asked_questions_about_social_security.html. Is privatization of the Social Security System a good idea? Which solution makes the most sense?

Web Activity 3

Log on to www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2002/budiv_3.html to find what the current projections are for a social security surplus (deficit) this fiscal year. How does this change in the next five years? What does this indicate about the future health of the Social Security System?