Save Social Security

Dear Editor,

Here we go again. Social Security is being scrutinized for its longevity.

In the first place, monies paid into the account were to be set aside into an account of its own. That was all well and good, until it had amassed a sizeable amount. Sooo, what happened? The government thought it looked good, so they moved it into another department, trying to use it to make our national debt look smaller. What would happen if we citizens handled our affairs in such a manner? You betcha, we would be in prison.

In the first place, when Social Security first started in about 1935 or 1936, it was for the worker, he or she, when they retired. Now they have made it into a welfare account. It was never to have been for dependents, much less for people who have never contributed into the fund. That is one reason Social Security is facing problems.

There are some suggestions being offered as to what to do to stabilize the Social Security account. One is to raise the new tax from 12.4 to 14.1. That is with the employee paying one-half and the other half by the employer, as it now is. Another is to lower the beneficiaries' checks by 12 percent. The checks are too small as they are.

The cap on incomes covered by Social Security is now $102,000 per year. Does this sorta "ring a bell?" Any earnings above the "cap" goes scot-free, except a small amount of medicare. The high-income people are again being favored.

I heard someone say that it was on TV suggesting the "cap" on Social Security taxable income be raised to $250,000. This was my thought some time ago, or better yet, why not tax the entire income? This would surely "shore up" the fund. It isn't right for the middle class to get the shaft all the time.

With the thousands of "boomers" soon to retire, it will be quite an obligation for Social Security to meet. Something must be done to assure the now and future beneficiaries of their retirement checks.

Readers, think about this and get busy and put pen to paper, e-mail or call our reps in Washington and let them know your thoughts. They need to hear from we the people. It helps them in making decisions. AARP is doing all they can to help.

Esther Wissbaum,

McCook