Federal Budget Meets Social Security Lockbox

I really enjoy the ranting of Robert Scheer. On Aug. 28 he wrote about raiding the Social Security lockbox and what a bunch of dimwits we are for letting this happen (Commentary). As a reader pointed out (letter, Sept. 3), the Social Security lockbox is a myth and those who believe this fiction are indeed dimwits.

This raid on the lockbox, according to Scheer, was caused by a minuscule tax cut, which in 2001 is less that 3% of the total budget. The downturn in the economy is what is causing the Social Security surplus to dwindle.

But now Scheer, contrary to the Democratic leaders, wants to spend our way to prosperity (“W, Ever Hear of FDR? Fix Some Potholes, Help Some Schoolkids,” Commentary, Sept. 4). Nothing is said about the fiscal straitjacket that Bush got us into. He is calling for more spending. Maybe more spending is called for; of course, more spending will diminish the surplus even more.

The question “W, ever hear of FDR?” should be asked of House Democratic Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). They are dragging their feet to keep the surplus high when we are in an economic downturn. It is strange to see the role reversal that has taken place in Washington. It is also strange to see Scheer shift 180 degrees in one week.

David G. Sant

Paso Robles

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I nominate Scheer for president because he showed us how to get out of this economic mess that we are in now, a recession possibly heading for a depression. President Bush said he wanted to give us some of our money back. Can he give us back what many lost in the stock market?

Seymour Silver

Torrance

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The sky is falling, or disappearing (global warming), but the federal budget is OK. Federal spending continues to increase. The national debt is being reduced as quickly as possible, according to law. The federal budget has increased by more than 40% over the last two presidential terms. This year the government will spend approximately $1.8 trillion.

Daschle needs to tell his constituents the truth in regard to the financial stability of our government (“Clinton’s Budget Legacy Lives On,” Opinion, Sept. 2). It has more than enough money to meet all of its fiscal obligations.

However, there is still a great deal to be done in regard to lowering taxes and reducing the size of the federal government. It is still too big. Less spending and lower taxes. It is just that simple.

Joe McMahon

Manhattan Beach