1) Explain into what 'financial instruments' are the social security system's surpluses invested. What is the rationale?

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/fundFAQ.htmlLinks to an external site.

2) How can the social security crisis in the future be eliminated? Think of both the tax and benefit sides of the problem. 3) Why do so many want to self-direct their own investments funded by social security taxes?

4) Why is it argued that a sales tax is regressive? 5) How can a general sales tax be made less regressive and what impact would this have on the tax rate to make it revenue neutral?