Stretching the idea of the social safety net

Re “A Solution for Solvency Need Not Be Radical, Just Bipartisan,” Feb. 12

It is evident that Ronald Brownstein will not need Social Security or Medicare. Otherwise, he wouldn’t claim that the ridiculous idea of raising the age of eligibility for Social Security by indexing it to the increase in life expectancy has merit. Just because a male may live to 78 or 79 does not mean he will be capable of working at the job he had in his 40s. This is just a trick to rob Americans of money that is rightfully theirs.

Brownstein neglects to reveal the country’s best-kept secret as the root cause: The government takes billions of dollars sent by Americans to the Social Security fund via payroll taxes for other purposes, such as making war. Just stop that and there will be sufficient funds for Americans to collect Social Security in retirement. After all, it’s their money; they earned it.

ALBERT SCHMULBACH

Anaheim

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U.S. government solvency requires radical change. The welfare state creates passive, dependent masses whose costs grow exponentially -- note Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. Pouring money into Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security creates the same dependency and burgeoning costs. Radical change to individual responsibility for one’s own retirement and medical care through individual accounts and free markets is the solution.

RALPH C. WHALEY

Barron, Wis.