A few important answers to Social Security questions

A few important answersto Social Security questions
EDITOR:
I found some interesting questions and answers regarding the Social Security dilemma. "Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85 percent of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:
Q. Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A. It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic controlled House and Senate.
Q. Which party put a tax on Social Security?
A. The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.
Q. Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
A. That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at age 65 get SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it!
Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take away Social Security! And some people believe it!
Let us please, gradually, put a percentage of the Social Security money deducted from pay checks into -- SAFE -- investments (not necessarily the stock market) and put it in the name of the tax payer thereby making it impossible for politicians to use it. Gradually, over the years, all old retired people will have received their entire pensions and just as gradually all Social Security deduction from pay checks will go directly into personal accounts for the exclusive use of the owners of these accounts.
ROBERT S. CELEC
Poland
Those who served in Iraqwould love presidential visit
EDITOR:
May I offer a different definition of obscenity. It's when a president, of any political party, jets across the nation, raising millions upon millions upon millions of dollars, for his political war chest. Then, when asked by a reporter how he could possibly spend his projected $170 million without a yet-to-be-determined single opponent to run against, he responded with two words, "Watch me."
This president would show far more class by spending his time visiting the young men who have returned from Iraq and are now amputees recovering at Walter Reed Hospital, or the thousands of orphans in the war's aftermath, or even the families of those "nameless" men whose deaths are announced almost daily across America.
While in California he may even wish to visit the young man who returned from Iraq unable to sleep, hallucinations almost daily, unable to concentrate or work. The VA officially told his family his condition is not the result of the war or the vaccinations he was given by the Army.
His family would appreciate a visit. I would be thrilled to watch the president do such things. I'm afraid the wait will be a long one. Now that's obscene.
JAMES P. WALKER
Warren
In Mahoning County case,justice was not served
EDITOR:
I was appalled when I read the Aug. 7 story reporting Mahoning County Judge Jack Durkin's ruling in the Marcus Smith trial. Judge Durkin ordered that his time be served concurrently with a sentence Smith is already serving in a Pennsylvania prison on unrelated charges. That means he has only about two years left to serve.
My heart goes out to the victim, Terry Greenwood, whose life is forever changed by this horrendous act. What is wrong with our justice system? Why does the perpetrator have all the rights and the victim none?
MARY SCANLON
Poland