Treasury Secretary’s Selfish Comment

In “Back of the Hand to the Safety Net” (Commentary, June 21), Robert B. Reich quotes Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill as saying, “Able-bodied adults should save enough on a regular basis so that they can provide for their own retirement and, for that matter, health and medical needs.” If the quote is, in fact, a true description of the mentality of this administration, it is a tragedy of major proportions.

My father is a prime example. He was a businessman in Downey for more than 30 years. He served as a councilman and mayor of the city in the early 1980s. He saved money for his retirement and experienced a comfortable one until recent years. Over the past four years he developed health problems that have since been diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. During a physical prior to his diagnosis the doctor declared his physical condition to be excellent. My father is currently in an Alzheimer’s disease facility that costs about $40,000 to $50,000 per year. He has no secondary insurance because early in his disease he allowed his insurance coverage to expire. I question whether his financial resources will sustain him. I hope this will be the case.

If the mentality of this administration is to continue to reduce the importance of a safety net to protect the unfortunate (Social Security or Medicare), it should not be tolerated. Any one of us can plan for his or her retirement and be affected by a catastrophic event that will take every penny of our resources. Shame on us if we allow this to occur, and shame on elected and appointed officials who would be so ignorant and selfish.

Gary Swearingen

Camarillo

As a pillar of this “Let them eat cake” administration, O’Neill lets us peek under the tent of the compassionately challenged. Few in this group have ever experienced financial struggle and those who have may long ago have forgotten the thrill or relief of making the rent, feeding the kids and trying to save some money. It appears he cannot comprehend what a majority of us do, that not every able-bodied person can prepare for all medical eventualities and retirement. In his world these issues are not a consideration; in our world it’s called life.

Marion Lewish

San Diego