To The Telegram:
Social Security, our nation's most successful anti-poverty program, turned 73 on Aug. 14. While this is an occasion to celebrate, for Wisconsin retirees it is a time of mixed feelings.
As we honor this landmark in American story, Social Security is under attack by politicians like Senator John McCain, who last said it is "an absolute disgrace" that young workers pay taxes to support current beneficiaries. I suspect most of the one million people in Wisconsin who receive Social Security -- our state's widows and widowers, and our young children who have seen a parent die -- do not see it as a "disgrace."
Sen. McCain and his top aides have supported President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security, which would create Social Security accounts tied to the roller coaster of Wall Street. With the turbulence of the stock market and the rising prices of gas, groceries and health care, this is a gamble few Wisconsin retirees can afford to take.
As retirees, we care deeply about our children and grandchildren. We want them to enjoy an active, healthy, and financially secure retirement when their working days are done. As we celebrate Social Security's 73rd birthday, we must redouble our efforts to educate today's workers, tomorrow's retirees, on why Social Security is needed more than ever.
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-- Leon Burzynski,
Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans
president
