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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

It’s our money

Robert Samuelson complains about mortgaging America’s future to spending for the older American after reviewing the Social Security and Medicare annual reports (“Cowardice of the political class,” June 17, 2018). His argument is one that is gaining a certain amount of momentum.

Social Security and Medicare are not entitlement programs as are Medicaid and welfare. They are programs that were funded by employee and employer payroll deductions to assist in meeting the financial needs of those entering retirement. Granted, people are living longer, which means many have outlived that investment. Granted, we are now entering the years where a large number of individuals are retiring. However, the suggestion that dispensation of the funds invested by those retiring should be reduced because Social Security and Medicare are entitlement programs is an unreasonable and criminal fallacy.

Quite simply, this is my (and other’s) money. The monies in Social Security and Medicare accounts were deducted from our paychecks. The obligation to ensure those funds are returned when needed is sacrosanct. Social Security funds are depleted because our elected “leaders” saw it as a resource to fund projects and ideas outside of its intended purpose. Democrats and Republicans. That’s called theft. We’ve all seen what happens when a private financial company did this.

My suggestion is also quite simple: give me my money back. I won’t even ask for the interest accrued over almost 45 years of “investment”. Give us all our money back. I will take the risk and responsibility of investing it to support me in my retirement years. As for Medicare; again, give my money back so I can purchase health insurance.

We must compassionately and realistically review our social contracts on a national level. What is our obligation and how are we going to meet that obligation? It’s a balance of helping when people need that extra support, but also ensuring that individual’s are aware of their own responsibility for their welfare. We also need to plan for changes that can and will occur in the formula used to calculate funding. We’ve known that our generation numbers have decreased. The response has been to increase the amount deducted from paychecks and to advance the retirement age. Eventually, the need will outstrip the plan.

Social Security and Medicare are expensive. Diverting people’s money towards unsanctioned projects, then telling those people their funds are an entitlement and access will be reduced or denied is a recipe for social revolution. Who says the government can’t be sued?

Deborah Davis

Spokane Valley

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