Fund plundered, taxed long ago

Regarding the letter about Social Security, “Will we confront broken promises?”: Social Security is in trouble because of Congress. As an old-timer on Social Security, I remember that it was intended to help workers and families, period! Over the years it built up a huge fund, and Congress began to drool over it, wanting to get their hands on that money. In the 1960s, they passed a law allowing them to borrow from the Social Security fund for roads, etc. It was supposed to be repaid, but all Congress has ever done is write worthless IOUs for years.

Also, during working years, we are taxed on our gross earnings, which means that we have paid taxes on Social Security before they were deducted. During the Clinton presidency they decided to tax Social Security payments that we are getting back. That is double taxation.

Maurice E. Kline

Shoreline

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