Letter: Leaders too far removed from average workers

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 | 8:58 a.m.

The way our current Social Security program is set up should not be changed. President Bush's proposed reform is all wrong. But then again, why should he really care? He and his family have enough money to live comfortably during their retirement years. He will not suffer if our Social Security plan is harmed.

Additionally, members of Congress have their own excellent private retirement plan that is not connected with our Social Security plan. In summary, Bush and "the government" won't get hurt, as all of them have excellent plans.

Not many of us have enough knowledge to make knowledgeable investments in the stock market. So whatever money we put into stocks and bonds will not be done so as to make us money. We will probably lose most of it. We are also in no position to make any decisions as to the end results. Yes, there are some excellent members of Congress, but it will still end up as a political football -- with the end result that average citizens will be the losers if Bush has his way.

The solution is for Bush and the members of Congress to give up their excellent retirement plans and become part of the Social Security plan. Once they are receiving the same retirement benefits as the rest of us, they will be willing to do what is really right for us common folk.

BARBARA MORTLEY