RE ELMER Smith's Aug. 7 column:
Thank you for have the courage to speak the truth and name all the corporate thieves. Especially the ones in D.C.: Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush, who also pulled off the biggest coup in American history - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
The GOP continues to rely on people not criticizing the government when we are at war. Well, last time I checked, there had never been any declaration of war, formal or otherwise.
President Bush now wants the U.S. to start a confrontation or war with Iraq. Haven't enough people in this country been displaced and suffered in one way or another? When will this madness end?
Oh, I know: November 2004.
Toney de Leine, Philadelphia
You're wrong, Don
Don Harrison criticizes President Bush for continuing to support proposals that would allow younger workers to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes in private markets through individual accounts (OpEd, Aug. 6).
Harrison is apparently worried about recent declines in the stock market. However, he fails to note that the current Social Security system is more than $25 trillion in debt and faces a deficit in just 15 years. The current system cannot pay all promised benefits to future beneficiaries without a massive increase in taxes. That is not just risk - it is a certainty.
It was former President Clinton who pointed out that when it comes to fixing Social Security, there are few choices: raise taxes, cut benefits or invest privately. Since Mr. Harrison wants to take private investment off the table, I would like to know which taxes he wants to raise, or which benefits he wants to cut?
When you look at the alternatives, giving workers the choice of whether or not to invest looks better and better.
Michael Tanner, Director
Cato Institute Project
on Social Security Choice
Washington
