Priority No. 1 should be protecting Social Security

Priority No. 1 should beprotecting Social Security
EDITOR:
In recent days, Alan Greenspan announced the beginning of the end to Social Security as we know it. Sometimes known as "the longest chain letter in history," Social Security has remained one of the major providers for the retired elderly.
Because the projected surplus of not so long ago has turned into an all time high deficit, Mr. Greenspan states that Americans must face the reality of higher payroll taxes, primarily affecting the middle class because of a cap on taxed earnings, or lower benefits and later retirements for the upcoming "baby boomers."
For those who are unaware, Social Security deductions from paychecks do not go into a bank to draw interest. Your Social Security payments go directly into the pockets of current retirees and the remainder to the federal government, which borrows to fund the growing deficit. What is left in the Social Security "bank" is a stack of I.O.U.s to be paid off at a future date.
There never was an "excess" tax collection that warranted President Bush to "give back to the people their money." To make matters worse, most of the money was given to the very wealthiest who need it the least!
I expected our president to step forward and protect Social Security, which so many middle class retirees are depending on, but the White House remains silent. Instead, President Bush seems to be concentrating his efforts on an amendment to the United States Constitution to ban gay marriages. Personally, I believe that issue pales in comparison to protecting the welfare of retiring middle class Americans. Where is my president?
KEN DROMBOSKY
Boardman
Giving a helping hand to a senior citizen is easy
EDITOR:
How long do you think it would take to help an elderly neighbor get a trash can to the curb? What about picking up a few items while you are out shopping? Or retrieving the mail? Do you have a few minutes to spare for such simple acts of kindness?
If so, it would mean the world to elderly residents who struggle to manage by themselves. A growing number of elderly residents in the Mahoning Valley need just a little help to remain living in dignity and independence in their own homes. Offering that help is Volunteer Service to Seniors, a Faith in Action program serving Mahoning County residents.
Volunteer Service to Seniors helps older community residents with a variety of tasks, such as picking up prescriptions or sweeping snow from walkways. Sometimes volunteers make telephone calls or occasional social visits.
This United Way agency has learned in working with AARP Ohio members that volunteers find their efforts most satisfying when they share their experiences with friends and family. That is why Volunteer Service to Seniors is working with AARP Ohio to encourage friends, couples, siblings, classmates, coworkers and others to volunteer as teams.
Please consider volunteering to perform simple acts of kindness for elderly neighbors. To learn more about volunteering with this agency, visit us at www.volunteerservicesagency.org or contact Volunteer Service to Seniors, 500 Market St. #106, Youngstown, OH 44512, phone (330) 782-5877.
MAUREEN DRUMMOND
Program director
Youngstown