For too long Republicans have been using the word reform to mean tax cuts. How does this plan address the uninsured? Do you realize how much private insurance plans cost? His amount would not provide insurance for anyone, especially a family. This the same "reform" that Republicans have been kicking around for over a decade.

You are correct, there are only two choices, service cuts or tax increases. Service cuts make the most sense, but the voters will never tolerate the cuts, but they don't want to pay for them either. What is likely to happen is that cap on income that is taxed for Social Security will be raised.

No sort of privatization scheme is going to work. It seems to be that the major beneficiary of this plan are the insurance companies. I think benefits will be cut and taxes will be raised, but you must remember that this so-called crisis is still 25-30 years away.