Beware of those wanting to 'reform' Social Security

Beware of those wanting to 'reform' Social Security
EDITOR:
Pete Dupont's article on Social Security reform was full of half-truths and scare tactics. He mentioned private investment components in other countries. We already have private investments for retirements in this country. They are called 401ks and IRAs, and we all know how they are doing.
He said Social Security would be in the red in 15 years. One of the reasons is the federal government has shipped so many decent paying jobs to other countries. People who used to make $50,000 a year are earning $20,000 now, if they are lucky, therefore much less is going into Social Security. Both political parties have used Social Security as their own private cookie jar to fund their pet projects. They borrowed from Social Security so when the time comes, Social Security should be able to borrow back.
He mentions other countries that are into reform. Among them are Australia, Switzerland, Germany and the U.K. These countries all have government health care. Since health care in this country is a national disgrace and people are dying because of it, that is one area where we should follow their example. I bet he would really be against that.
Another country mentioned was China. Everybody that wants to be like China, hold up your hand. In the right-wingers language reform is a code word for destroy.
GERALD MILLER
Niles
The biggest life-saver is early detection of cancer
EDITOR:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage all women to follow the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer.
If you are 40 years of age or older, please get a mammogram and have a clinical breast exam every year. And don't forget the importance of monthly breast self-exams.
If you are a woman between the ages of 20 to 39, make sure you perform a monthly breast self-exam and have a clinical breast examination by your health care professional every three years.
Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer. Yes, increasing in age and family history are other risk factors. But, breast cancer can and does touch women of all races and ages.
I am lucky and fortunate to be a breast cancer survivor. Many women refuse to take a proactive role against breast cancer and ignore the situation completely.
By the end of this year, about 203,500 women throughout the United States are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Also, by the end of 2002, about 39,600 women in this country will die from this disease.
Numbers can be confusing and many women think they won't ever become a statistic. I wish that was true, but it's not. Remember: Early detection can save your life or the life of someone you love.
DIANE DEGNAN
Canfield
Busy, busy, busy
EDITOR:
Is anybody but me having trouble tying to get their calls through?
All I get is press 1, press 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. Then I'm told my call is important and I'm urged to stay on the line while music plays.
After the music, the call rings through, only to result in a messaage that the person is away from their desk, but will get back to me (but when?).
I'm wondering if in the year 2002 Pony Express would be faster.
GUIDO ZARLENGO
Youngstown