DEMS: Undermining Social Security

The Democratic majority has frozen our Social Security payments for the second year running. Have they also frozen their own wages for two years? Here is the history of Social Security showing what the Democrats have done:

1. Franklin Roosevelt introduced Soc. Sec. to be a voluntary program where participants would pay 1 percent of the first $1,400 of income. It is now 7.65 percent of the first $90,000, and no longer voluntary.

2. The money put into the program would be tax deductible. This is no longer the case because of a Democratic controlled Congress.

3. The money was to be put into a "Trust Fund" and used only for Soc. Sec. benefits. Under President Johnson it was moved to the "General Fund" and spent.

4. The annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed. Under President Clinton, with Al Gore casting the decisive vote, this was changed so that up to 85 percent of the income can be taxed.

5. Under President Carter immigrants could also receive Soc. Sec. benefits at 65 even though they never paid into the system.

And the Republicans are getting blamed for wanting to destroy the Social Security system?

DALE HEDMAN

Hayden