Bill Press Runs for Senate
I could hardly believe what I read in The Times under the headline “Press Wants to Cut ‘Welfare for the Rich’ ” (Part I, Nov. 6). What gives Press the idea that Social Security is welfare?
Social Security was established so that when people retire they would have money to live on. It was never intended that one would have to meet a “means test” to get back money which was taken from one whether or not one wanted to contribute. To make it such would just make it into a tax, not a forced retirement contribution.
This policy is not just. If one sets money aside so that when one retires there will be some extra cushion to fall back on, the “reward” one receives is not being able to pass a “means test.” This type of policy encourages a foolish spend-and-enjoy-now life style.
When my grandfather retired and started receiving his Social Security checks, he did not want to accept them because he considered them welfare.
My father had to explain to him that this was just his money that was being returned to him. He could not accept this concept and signed over his checks to his favorite charity. Apparently Press cannot accept this concept either, but wants to refuse us the right to do what we want with our own money.
MURRAY S. LEVINE
Los Angeles
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