• Two novel ideas to save Social Security

By now, everyone concerned about the Social Security system knows that there is big trouble a few years down the road, when there will be vastly more retirees and many fewer workers proportionately.

The other big problem is that the trillion-plus dollars on hand in the system now is not really available, but is in U.S. Treasury bonds to be redeemed later when the Treasury will not have the funds to pay without huge tax increases.

The big fuss in the news lately is over President Bush’s plan to have a part of Social Security taxes go to investment funds for individuals instead of into Treasury bonds (IOUs). Opponents say stocks are too risky and brokerage fees too high to be practical.

Here are two ideas that may help greatly: (1) Give the Social Security system permission to buy carefully screened corporate bonds offered by successful companies, up to one-third of Social Security taxes collected. That way the U.S. Treasury will have billions less to repay to the Social Security system. Profitable corporations will be paying a good portion of Social Security retirement funds. (2) We have got to start letting old worn-out people die natural deaths instead of keeping them artificially alive when everything that makes life worth living is gone. This is not cruel, but natural and merciful. And, it just might save the whole United States from economic disaster.

CHARLES O’NEAL

Florence

• Social Security is a good investment

Young people who believe that President Bush’s plan for Social Security is better than the current plan should think about this:

A retired couple, when one of the two contributed the maximum to Social Security for the 10 years before retirement, receives annually from Social Security about $26,000. To earn that much annually from a CD, one would have to have about $800,000 invested at current rates.

When one notes how level the stock market has been for the last several years, the current Social Security plan looks very good.

LARRY A. JACKSON

Greenwood

• Headline showed lack of discretion

At first glance at the front page of the March 31 paper, I was immediately appalled. The headline boldly cursed the name of God. I know that it is common to hear his name spoken of lightly and that most people today think nothing of saying his name with no intention of honor or respect. This, however, does not give anyone an excuse.

I am ashamed of our newspaper for printing this headline and disgusted with the indifferent attitude of our newspaper’s editors involved.

KRISTIN HANKINS

Columbia

• Potential revenue zooms by on highways

Here is how to get more money for the police and tax collector.

From Broad River to I-77 on I-20 at 9:30 a.m. with my cruise control set at 60 mph, I counted 92 cars that passed me like I was standing still.

Go get them, Highway Patrol.

OSCAR C. PEELER JR.

Columbia

• Seat belt law will encourage lawsuits

I hope that supporters of the mandatory seat belt law realize the consequences of this dumb law. Any gains in federal highway grants the state might receive by submitting to the federal government on this issue will certainly be wiped out by the cost of litigation in state courts.

You don’t really believe that the citizens of this state will just happily pay the tickets for not wearing a seat belt, do you? I, for one, will demand a jury trial each and every time I get accused of not wearing a seat belt. I also expect to win most of these cases. You see, it will be very difficult for a police officer to prove the “crime” beyond a reasonable doubt, especially when I will be wearing a seat belt by the time he or she gets to my car window.

JOSE F. MONGE

Lexington

• Home improvement project turns sour

I have been working to cosmetically update my family’s home in the city limits of Columbia. Ninety percent of the people working on the project have tried to take advantage of me or make me pay for something I did not want or receive. Intimidation and threats are their modus operandi.

I now understand why people do not complete home improvement projects or do them themselves. I feel for the people who cannot do them themselves and have to rely on others to help them.

I have called all of the agencies set up to help consumers with these types of creatures. None of them wants to be liable and, none can help. City officials tell me this happens about five times a day, every day.

CHRISTOPHER TOMLINSON

Columbia

• Correction

An editorial in Monday’s editions of The State incorrectly said that House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell attended a news conference last week announcing scholarship totals for public school students. Mr. Harrell did not attend the event.