Proposals for Social Security

The record is clear. The Republican Party has been suspect as a supporter of Social Security since its inception in the 1930s. It has not credited the program for what it really is, an insurance program ending in an earned pension.

But now they seem to be interested in innovating with 2% of the deduction made by workers and employers, to be used as a means of investing by the recipients in financial markets. Now, this could be a good idea.

Labor has suggested that a 2% increase, shared by workers and employers, would balance the payments for an indefinite period of time. Perhaps we could join the two suggestions. Add the 2% increase but dedicate it to the purpose suggested by the GOP.

By the critical year of 2013, we could evaluate the results and make adjustments as dictated by results of this experiment.

PIERCE J. MULLALY

Sun City

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True wealth and financial freedom are the satisfaction of paying for all our needs and wants from interest earned on our private principal. This is an option few of us even set as a goal. Instead of encouraging the use of Social Security to gamble in the stock market, worthy political leaders would encourage legislation to reward those who save above and beyond Social Security.

Stealing from the basement of a financial portfolio to speculate on a risky venture is extremely unwise. We are foolish to support leaders who tempt us to believe such action would be in our own self-interest.

SHEILA TROUPE

Redondo Beach