21.   In New Orleans, Fed governor Laurence Meyer said partial privatization would increase national savings.

22.   Increase national savings, the commission said.

23.   It would increase the national savings rate.

24.   More national savings make possible more investment and more economic growth, which in turn makes public benefits more affordable.

25.   On the other hand, if Congress cut the deficit when trust fund surpluses were unavailable to paper it over, national savings probably would rise.

26.   Reducing the public debt frees up more money for the private sector, stimulates national savings and investment, and reduces the amount the government must pay in interest.

27.   Raising the national savings is widely embraced by economists.

28.   Similarly, money cashed in from employee profit-sharing programs or the national savings programs will also be exempted from income tax.

29.   That frees up even more cash, while raising the national savings rate.

30.   That is in line with the national savings average.