Social Security

* Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) is proposing a new law that will remove Social Security from the budget, so that Congress and the president cannot continue the charade about there being a surplus (Nov. 12). One party wants to spend part of it and use the rest to save Social Security and the other party wants a tax cut. Both parties know full well there is no surplus.

In 1993, those of us who were blessed to be subject to the maximum Social Security tax deduction paid $3,441 (on $55,500). For 1999 we will pay $4,501 (on $72,600), an increase of $1,060 or 31% in six years. This money was not intended for any purpose other than funding anticipated future shortfalls in the Social Security trust fund. Either it should be saved for that purpose or it should be returned to the people who paid it. It should not be available for any other purpose, no matter how worthy.

HAROLD L. KATZ CPA

Los Angeles