Social Security will be there in future

Roland Ley's well written letter of April 7 deserves a reply. He presents the interesting challenge that our use of Social Security and Medicare surplus funds is misguided.

Why? Because we have lent it to the General Fund and it is being used to build interstate highways, schools and hospitals.

And yes, maybe even providing a strong defense in an uncertain world of terrorism.

What would he have us do with the surplus? Perhaps he would rest well knowing it was mouldering away in an underground vault, well guarded by stern officials deaf to the cries of those in need.

He refers to the debt as "meaningless and worthless IOUs." His dire prediction of future events is not one I share.

I leave it to others to decide whether the Bush administration has managed our financial affairs prudently.

But when the day comes that the Social Security trustees begin calling for the return of their borrowed money, I am confident that our 230-year history of honoring the full faith and credit of our obligations will be met with the reliability we have the right to expect.

John R. Herman Sr.

Arlington Heights