That's in addition to his proposal to help workers set up individual investment accounts. The government itself would own shares in companies. Leading Republicans expressed instant opposition to the idea. They and other opponents fear that no matter how many disclaimers are issued, the government would end up investing for political reasons, and doing great harm in the process. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan reiterated his opposition yesterday.
Advocates say there are ways to protect against the danger.
If the government doesn't invest in the market, another source of revenue will have to be found, or benefits be cut even more. But the president and Congress have more fundamental questions to discuss before they even get to this one.