Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) used to say that nothing should be off the table when it comes to reducing our massive, $1.65 trillion annual deficit. In fact, he was one of a few Democrats who were willing to consider entitlement reform if it meant putting the country on a fiscally sound path.

After all, figures demonstrate that we can’t get near addressing the fiscal crisis if we’re not willing to address entitlements. Our national unfunded liabilities on Social Security, Medicare, and prescription drug coverage alone total an astounding $112 trillion — that trillion — dollars. You can cut all the defense spending you want, it’s not going to make up for that.

So where does Conrad stand today? Apparently he’s bowed to pressure from liberal groups. Now he says he’s unwilling to even consider reforming Social Security — reforming, not eliminating, reforming — as part of the plan to put the country back on a sound fiscal footing.

Social Security alone accounts for more than $14 trillion in unfunded liabilities and will be running deficits, beginning next year, for the rest of its time paying 100% of obligations. And yes, Social Security payments absolutely contribute to the massive federal deficit.

It’s a shame that Conrad has bowed to the pressure of liberal groups who are more interested in continuing the entitlement culture than putting the country on a sound fiscal footing.