A Ponzi Scheme denotes 'criminal' intent to defraud and steal funds for personal gain. It does not impress with thoughtful consideration for meaningful reform to the program, it demonstrates and reinforces a "shoot from the mouth" personality.
So tell me. If a corporation had done to their pension funds what the US government did with the Social Security Trust Fund - spent every last red cent of it - would that have landed them in the docket for fraud?
Yes.
And have politicians used the abuse of the Social Security Trust Fund for personal political gain by masking the true size of our deficits?
Yes.
So you just undid your own point, if you are willing to look past the veneer of legalities that our politicians have woven over Social Security.
The problem is not that Perry isn't telling the truth. The problem is he is too close to the truth for the comfort of the DC establishment.