On Oct. 21, the Daily Herald printed a column by Froma Harrop titled "Resist the urge to tinker with Social Security." She discussed the current funding situation of Social Security and concluded: "According to the Social Security trustees' latest report, payroll taxes will cover all of the retirees' promised benefits until 2016. After that, the trust fund can make up for any shortfall until 2039 (the report stated 2037). That is 30 years from now. We can worry about Social Security's finances in 20 years."

Her conclusion demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of the impact of the situation on the federal budget and the national debt. In 2016, Social Security will begin cashing in the Treasury bonds it holds that presently total more than $2.4 trillion to pay the promised benefits. Congress will have to fund this payout by borrowing from other sources, raising taxes or increasing the federal debt and deficit. They could also reduce promised benefits.

The longer we wait to address the issue the harsher will be the solutions. We do not have 20 years to keep our heads in the sand. We should be addressing the situation now as it will become a major problem in seven years.

In 2008, the commissioner of Social Security stated that "Social Security is at a crossroads. We face enormous challenges to shore up the system." He is on the board of trustees that wrote the subject report.

I urge those who share Harrop's views to reconsider the facts. I urge all who are concerned with the federal deficit and the federal debt to support a timely solution to this situation.

Royce M. Blackwell

Elgin