Galveston's alternative

In one of the recent Republican primary debates, Gv. Perry mentioned Galveston's opt out from social security in 1981 as a viable way to restructure and save social security for the future generations.  As this article from WSJ Online proves, he was/is right.  In very rough numbers the Galveston government workers who opted out of the SS plan for a privately run investment plan are retiring with about double the amount of the rest of the country's retirees.  Unfortunately this option is no longer available.  Seeing the initial success of this program, salons passed a law prohibiting opting out as of 1983.  Tsk. Tsk.  Suckers!