NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - At long last we're going to get some "details" of President Bush's Social Security reform plan.

Word is that the Prez will lay out more details of his vision in next week's State of the Union address. So far he's laid out have three main principles: don't touch current retirees benefits, don't hike payroll taxes, and give workers the option to set up personal investment accounts with some of their Social Security money.

Problem is, Mr. Bush has yet tell us how he plans to PAY for any of this, and every one of his principles costs money. Bottom line, the system sooner than later starts spending more money than it's taking in and in order to protect the first principle, "don't touch retiree benefits," you have to break the second principle, "don't raise the payroll tax." OR you have to do something else: cut benefits for future retirees or make them work longer.

As for personal accounts most agree that it WILL cost the government money to set them up AND they won't preclude the necessity of cutting benefits down the road.

So there are tough choices for the American people to swallow. Great leaders lead people through tough choices. Cynical politicians try to make people believe they can get something for nothing in order to get their votes. Time for President Bush to show us what kind of leader he intends to be.

___________________________________________

-- Kathleen Hays is economics correspondent for CNN and contributes to Lou Dobbs Tonight.