ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 18, 1997 TAG: 9703180005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Stop raiding Social Security's trust fund
SINCE THE early 1980s, Social Security has been running a surplus. More money is being collected in payroll taxes each year than is being paid out to beneficiaries. According to the United Seniors Association, the government is using this surplus to fund other programs. In turn, the Social Security Trust Fund gets ``special issue, non-negotiable bonds.'' In plain words: IOUs.
So far, the federal government has ``borrowed'' $566 billion from the trust fund. Raiding the fund masks the real size of the annual budget deficit. For instance, last year's deficit was $107 billion, but that doesn't include the $66 billion taken from the trust fund. In truth, the deficit was $173 billion.
The financial crisis begins in 2012 when the amount paid out in Social Security benefits starts to exceed the amount collected in taxes. Instead of real assets on which to draw, the trust fund will contain only IOUs. When bills come due, taxes will have to be raised or Social Security benefits further reduced or both.
The right way to protect the trust fund is through the prompt passage of the proposed Social Security Preservation Act. This legislation would create a legitimate trust fund that would contain real assets. It will stop the use of Social Security as a slush fund.
It's wrong to blame seniors for the federal deficit, and I'm appalled by the number of politicians and commentators who use this lie to cover up the real problem with Social Security.
Raiding that fund jeopardizes the future of Social Security for all Americans, and it's high time this issue is addressed seriously in Congress.
DON M. KOTCHISH
SALEM
Follow biblical ideas for tax reform
IN HIS FIRST inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson called for progressive taxation. The fairest kind of tax, he said, was one based on the ability to pay. The affluent should pay a larger amount and a larger rate. Jefferson was saying in 1801 what Adam Smith had said some 25 years earlier in ``Wealth of Nations.''
This progressive principle was embedded in the first national income tax established in 1913 under Woodrow Wilson. Those earning between $4,000 and $20,000 paid 1 percent; those between $20,000 and $50,000 paid 2 percent; and so on up to 6 percent for those with incomes of more than $500,000.
The food tax is an example of an unfair tax. In fact, it's probably the most unfair of all because food is a basic necessity, and a larger proportion of the income of low- and moderate-income earners goes for food. It's significant that even high sales-tax states like New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts do not levy taxes on food as does Virginia.
The Bible isn't a textbook that gives exact directions about matters such as tax reform, but it does say that much is required of those who have much. And we're told that we have a responsibility for "the least of these."
BILL WINN
MARTINSVILLE
Crime's victims get little consideration
GOVERNMENT should pass laws to help innocent victims falsely accused of a crime they didn't commit. These laws would spell out what it's worth to spend years in a state prison overcrowded with killers, perverts and every other kind of unimaginable horror.
After a conviction, evidence shouldn't be destroyed as long as the convict is in prison. Scientific improvements in modern technology, such as DNA, require it. Such isn't the case now, and it's too bad for the convicted if he happens to be innocent.
Recently, a Richmond Republican prevented the state legislature from awarding money to an innocent man who spent a long time in prison for a crime he didn't commit (Feb. 21 Associated Press news article, ``Pardon is all he gets''). DNA evidence proved him innocent. Prosecuting attorneys, politicians or others who deliberately deny justice in cases like this should be made to trade places with the victim so they may know outrage and loss of freedom.
Before elections, politicians talk of being tough on crime and about compassion for victims, but it's mostly hot air.
Governments are usually the recipient of fines levied against lawbreakers when it's the injured victim who deserves to be recompensed. Why can't politicians pass more laws making the criminal liable directly to the victim, no matter how long it takes? Why can't local government have the police be more responsible in finding the owners of recovered stolen property rather than selling at public auction? If that isn't possible, then why not donate it to charities that consider the plight of innocent victims?
R. BROOKS McGHEE
GOODVIEW
Don't penalize stay-at-home moms
I WAS FURIOUS when I read Nancy Ross' Feb. 24 letter to the editor (``Parents can save money on day care'') on year-round schooling. I am sorry she has to work, and therefore has to spend so much money on day care.
I am a stay-at-home mother who enjoys having time to spend with my children, and I refuse to be penalized because I don't work. I sacrifice a great deal to have the luxury of raising my own children, and I cherish the time I have in the summer to swim, swing, play and even learn with my kids.
TRACY NELSON
ROANOKE
Teach kids good classroom behavior
IN RESPONSE to your Feb. 16 Horizon section articles on magnet schools, "Parent says more magnet money should go to funding smaller classes":
I agree with the premise, but offer a differing experience at Fairview Magnet School.
At Fairview, our children have been blessed with very wonderful and caring teachers for the past four years. We have taken advantage of the opportunities to participate in all of their classrooms.
Our children graduated from kindergarten well-prepared to meet first-grade challenges. They both came out of kindergarten classes of 24. Yes, we agree that smaller classes are needed. Yet, even with the challenge of large classes and children with varied preschool experiences, our children's teachers gave them very solid foundations.
Please, let's not forget our role as parents to teach our children that personal responsibility, self-control and respect for others are very important. It's our job to teach them these life skills, and to send them to school prepared to use them. It's frustrating to children, who behave and try to learn, to have classes disrupted by another child's behavior problems.
Let's not fail our children by giving them excuses to not be responsible for their behavior, regardless of class size and educational challenges. Let's do our jobs, and magnet funding will go a lot farther.
JOHN PERO
ROANOKE
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