Letters To The Editor

Plan Was For Youngsters

Regarding "'What If' On Social Security" (Letters, Sept. 19):

In answer to a reader's concern regarding privatization of Social Security, I am of the opinion that the privatization was mostly to help our children do a little better planning with their retirements, and it was not intended for our current Social Security recipients. I am also under the belief that the choice would be solely that of the individual paying Social Security taxes - and only to a portion of those taxes. One could earmark where one wanted his marked funds to go, similar to how we chose investments in our 401k and IRA plans. Surely, no one can argue that over time the performance of our stock market is significant. Again, it is a choice, and if an individual cannot take the downturns with the upswings then go to a money market investment. The word is choice.

President Bush's plan of privatization came under fire when no one could agree on how to integrate the taxes of the younger workers with the benefits for the seniors.

FRANK GIORDANO

Tampa

The Better Investment

The letter writer said, "It's a good thing we didn't buy into the Bush privatization plan" by investing in "Wall Street securities."

We all know they are suffering the catastrophic result of millions of home loans made to people woefully unqualified to receive them.

Bush tried in 2003 to rein in Fannie and Freddie, as did McCain-sponsored legislation in 2005. Democrats balked, insisting that loosened standards remain, out of "fairness" to the poor.

In any case, no one proposed investing Social Security dollars in these firms.

Had today's retirees been in a privatized system that took advantage of compounded interest accrued over decades in a diversified portfolio of equity and bond funds, they'd be enjoying, even in today's market, a lavish retirement built on their own assets instead of barely getting by on the confiscated earnings of today's workers in the pyramid scheme that is the Social Security system.

DWAYNE KEITH

Valrico

Other Funds Available

Many like this letter writer think that Wall Street securities, like Enron, are the only other options. In fact, the government, at this moment, has 10 retirement funds that could be used to increase funds to make up for the coming reduction. The "G" fund is guaranteed never to lose money and in the last 12 months (June/May) paid 4.36 percent. Another, the L 2040 had paid over 20 percent. Granted, it lost 2.87 percent in the last 12 months, but I don't think you would lose sleep if it did.

Please let people have accounts they can leave to their children and not disappear after death.

MATTHEW VARDEN

Spring Hill

Manufacturing Factor

Regarding "Let's Buy American" (Letters, Sept. 21):

I couldn't agree more with that. We are living in a country that, for the most part, can't afford to buy the products that are totally manufactured in our own country.

It is cheaper to send the products out of the country and have them either made or assembled and sent back to us to sell at inflated prices.

We got an incentive package from our government hoping we would go out and buy, to boost the economy.

The money came, either directly or indirectly, from foreign banks in places such as China that is cashing on our need to make products cheaper and increase the profit margin of our large companies.

I am living in a dream world saying this, but we as a country, both workers and companies alike, should sit down and work out agreements to lower the costs of U.S.-made products.

It has to start somewhere, or we won't have anybody earning enough money to even buy foreign products.

JACK VERMEULEN

Zephyrhills

Not Enough Made Here

I wholeheartedly agree with the letter writer. There is one problem, though: No matter where you go to purchase products, whether at the retail level, online, whether it is clothing or major appliances, there seems to be nothing left that is "Made in America."

I just recently ordered small handheld U.S. flags on the Internet, and, to my surprise, they were not made in the United States. Seems with unions we have priced ourselves right out of the market. So, in essence what we are doing is supporting the economies of foreign countries and not our own. It's a shame, but then that is the way it is, when the almighty dollar is the only bottom line that matters.

UTA H. KUHN

Sun City Center

Amendment's Effect

Thanks to those of you uninformed voters who voted for Amendment 1. I was informed today that, as a Pasco County resident, I will be required to pay $100 a year to patronize the New Tampa Library four miles from my home, a library where I have been a patron for 14 years. I may have received a property tax benefit of about $245. The costs I have run into because of the loss of income do not come close to this amount.

First the library hours were cut back, as was staff. Aid for mental health, a field in which I earn a living, has been reduced. Every time I turn around services have been scaled back because selfish, uninformed voters passed Amendment 1.

CAROL CORELL STEVENS

Wesley Chapel

Tribe Doing Its Part

Regarding "Gaming Pact Has New Challenge" (Metro, Sept. 20):

I am always amazed at the ignorance of some people in government.

Is Attorney General Bill McCollum out of his mind, or is he just trying to blackmail the Seminole Tribe? The Seminole Hard Rock not only employs thousands of people, they also give the state of Florida millions of dollars per year. Does he want to contribute to the lack of employment and less money going to the state?

You would think that with the way the economy is today that McCollum would be happy that the Seminole Tribe is doing their part.

BARBARA SMALLER

Lakeland