All workers should pay Social Security

Some basic facts. Our members of Congress have their own retirement plan and medical plans, paid by us. They are not in Social Security or Medicare. Why not? The answer is simple — it’s not good enough for them, but it’s OK for us, the 80 percent in the work force and their employers who must pay into Social Security and Medicare.

The same holds true with most government workers, police and fire unions, and teachers. Why is this so? The answer is still simple — the plans are not good enough for the unions. Why retire at 67 with 25 percent of your yearly pay when you can retire at 50 or 55 with over 75 percent? Why pay for insurance when you can get it at 10 percent or less?

Something is wrong here, and it starts with our government and the members of Congress. All workers should be in Social Security and pay into Medicare.

Robert Kennedy

Palatine