"A slight fix"

With all the frantic warnings of the imminent demise of Social Security, it's refreshing to hear the president say something sensible about its future.

The system is funded with a tax on earnings, up to $109,000 a year. Obama says lifting that cap to tax a larger share of income would be one way to extend the system of monthly payments for retirees. It also would be unpopular with some.

Without an adjustment, Obama said Social Security will start to run out of money in about 20 years as more people begin collecting benefits.

I'm sure, though, that will only fuel "populist" rage.