Forbes says Bush win on Social Security a springboard for tax reform

Magazine publisher Steve Forbes, a former Republican presidential candidate, was back in Iowa this weekend. “But I’m an agitator now, not a candidate myself,” Forbes says. Forbes says President Bush needs the momentum of a win on Social Security reform to accomplish his next goal of tax reform. “I think that if (Bush) wins the Social Security fight…he’ll gain capital and it will give him momentum to do something on the tax front,” Forbes says. “So, one’s tied to the other.” Forbes says President Bush needs to offer more specifics on Social Security reform to allay the fears of the public. “A lot of people think benefits are going to be cut for the elderly. There are not,” Forbes says. “So, if he does that I think he’ll get something through Congress.” Forbes says if Bush gets Social Security reform through Congress, he should “go for broke” and endorse the flat tax. Forbes says the current tax code is “such a monstrosity” that it needs to go. “But you’ve gotta think big to get it big,” Forbes says of significant tax reform. Forbes helped the Iowa Republican Party raise money this weekend, speaking at a banquet in Clive on Saturday night.