Dear Editor,

The Social Security “status quo” letters, columns and sillycartoons all need a reality check.

The problem with Social Security has been growing and is veryreal. It will start losing money in 2018. How soon certain peopleforget the Clinton-Gore speeches on Social Security. They said”crisis.” Look it up.

The government under both parties looted its funds to buy votesand left paper IOUs in the vault. Of course, Congress has the bestretirement system going (a superb private pension plus SocialSecurity). Those humble public servants in Congress vote (aspineless voice vote) themselves yearly raises. Nice gig.

Those who love the status quo (of a 1 percent return on theirmoney) simply want any reform to be done by their favoritepolitical party. Witness the many calls to radio when covering thestatus of Social Security. Callers who have been paying into bothSocial Security and investments like IRAs and employee “cafeteriaplans” for years are astounded at the huge positive differenceversus government-projected Social Security amounts.

Just run the numbers. Remember it’s your option. Yes,option.

Social Security has been horribly managed in many ways. Rememberwhich political party put your Social Security into the generalfund? That same party eliminated the income tax deduction forSocial Security withholding and then taxed our Social Securityannuities. Look it up. Now that party says Social Security is justfine. Go figure.

By the way, FDR told us Social Security would be voluntary andthe payout annunity would never be taxed. The government does noteven allow you to “pass on” Social Security money. You die … theykeep it.

Nobody wants to destroy Social Security. Fearmongering solvesnothing. I am old enough (58) to distinguish selfish partisanpolitics from decades of facts about Social Security. Its all aboutwho gets the credit. Its way past time to reform Social Security.All that is asked is the option (it’s voluntary) to managea third of our money.

AARP sells mutual funds to its members and takes a cut. Gofigure that hypocrisy.

We can do much better with our Social Security money.

Doug Schexnayder,

Brookhaven