By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – 
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez brought President Bush's message on Social Security to St. Louis Thursday. He spoke at Washington University.
Gutierrez pushed the administration's plan for what he called personal voluntary accounts. The plan would allow American workers to put part of their Social Security withholdings into outside investments.
Gutierrez says the plan it not as risky as some are making it out to be, citing adds that compare the idea to gambling. He says 12 years from now, Social Security will begin paying out more money than the system takes in.
But critics contend the Bush plan could remove an important safety net for the disabled.
Gutierrez took up his new position in the President's Cabinet last month. He was previously CEO of the Kellogg cereal company.
In an interview with KWMU's Matt Sepic, Gutierrez says the biggest issue for American business today is remaining competitive on an ever-expanding global stage. To hear the interview, click on the 'listen' icon above.