Tribute to Leon Kaplan

* Re “Leon Kaplan; Spokesman for Senior Citizens’ Rights, Issues,” obituaries, Oct. 26.

I mourn the death of Leon Kaplan. I always looked forward to his op-ed columns in The Times and clipped a few for reference.

In one of them, Kaplan pointed out that the Social Security fund is not in peril and never has been. To ensure solvency down the road, though, he advocated removing the cap that exempts workers who earn $60,000 or $70,000 and more from paying into the Social Security fund beyond this limit. By eliminating this cap, Kaplan pointed out, the Social Security program could be solvent for many years to come and meet the needs of our nation’s baby boomers.

Privatizing Social Security all or in part would be a disaster. The only beneficiaries of privatizing would be the Wall Street brokers who stand to reap a billion-dollar windfall in commissions.

Kaplan’s argument on lifting the cap in Social Security has been echoed in publications issued by the National Council of Seniors.

Kaplan was fearless in his writings and was most formidable in his talks. He represents my generation, the generation that endured the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, etc. Kaplan and his generation lived through the Roosevelt administrations, and he knew full well what government can do when the nation’s poor count ran into the millions.

Kaplan knew what government can do when Hoover Dam was built. Without Hoover Dam, Los Angeles wouldn’t have the population it has today, and many farmers and developers wouldn’t enjoy the prosperity they enjoy today.

I’ll miss Leon Kaplan’s columns, as will many of his friends and admirers. He served the seniors of our community well.

SAMUEL M. ROSEN

Newbury Park