Letter: No choice but to accept cuts

Friday, July 6, 2001 | 3:59 a.m.

Re Daniel Olivier's July 2 letter, "Won't stand for benefit cuts":

Let's put aside for the moment the pros and cons of privatizing a portion of Social Security. You state you "absolutely and positively will not accept any, zilch, nada cuts in benefits. ..." With all due respect I submit you are "absolutely and positively" mistaken.

It is my sincere hope that those charged with getting the Social Security system through its demographic nightmare can do so without imposing benefit cuts. However, if cuts are deemed a necessary part of reform you will accept them. You will stand for benefit cuts just as you have stood for all the other compromises and broken promises Social Security has imposed.

From a Social Security tax burden that is more than seven times higher than it was at the start, to Social Security income being subject to the income tax, to the Notch -- you have accepted it all and you will accept benefit cuts. The greater good demands it. You can protest all you want, but the bottom line? You will submit and you will obey. It's your fate. You sealed your fate (and everyone else's) more than six decades ago when you put your faith in the Congress of the United States.

Prices are going to have to be paid to salvage the system. How much and by whom is creating a very interesting national debate, which in the end will lead to policy changes we will all have to "accept" whether we like it or not.

KNIGHT ALLEN