Clarifying the facts on Social Security

I would like to correct two factual errors in a letter published June 4. The author, Mr. Gosch, incorrectly stated that “the Democrats stole the Social Security Funds, placing them in the general account, enabling them to use much of those funds for their own personal slush fund.” I believe that he is referring to 1968, when Social Security taxes and spending were made part of a “unified budget.” This was an accounting issue and had no effect on the operation of the Social Security Trust Fund. Fact Check refers to this as “twisted history.”

It further says that “there has never been any change in the way the Social Security program is financed or the way that Social Security payroll taxes are used by the federal government.” The government has always been able to use Social Security funds for other purposes when not needed to pay benefits. This is verifiable on the Social Security website and on Fact Check.

It is also not true that “money for a new electronic medical records processing system for our congressmen and senators will be coming from savings generated from withholding Social Security cost-of-living increases for 2010 and 2011.” Fact Check reveals that the money is being used to speed processing of applications for disability benefits. Further, the money is coming from the stimulus bill and not from withholding cost-of-living increases.

I trust that future letter writers will check their facts before spreading false information that clouds rather that contributes to intelligent debate on matters of importance.

Kevin Corry

Bartlett