Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 | 9:09 a.m.
Is it necessary to change the way Social Security works? Yes, but not the way President Bush would like.
Too many of us are in the "near gray zone" -- too old to back up and punt, too young to not have to worry about the proposed Social Security changes.
No longer allowing seniors or soon-to-be seniors to retire at the "early" retirement age for Social Security benefits is doable. Not allowing this same group to retire at their current projected normal retirement age with the benefit they are expecting to receive at that age is just plain wrong.
I don't see Social Security as the sole answer to my retirement security, but I do believe it has an important role in relieving, at least in part, some of the financial stress in my senior years. Cutting back by 40 percent that benefit is the most absurd thing I've ever heard.
Tax rebates initiated by President Bush had minimal, if any, positive impact on this nation's economy. Applying those rebates toward reinforcing Social Security would have been a much better choice. Social Security is long overdue for reform, but not the destructive way President Bush is pursuing.
JAY B. DISHONG
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