To the editor:

I am very pleased that President Bush is bringing national attention to Social Security. The retirement system is destined for failure. Democrats complain about the “Bush plan” yet offer no plan aside from raising payroll taxes 25 percent, or cutting benefits 27 percent. Demographics are changing — three workers for every one retired person right now — in 15 years that number will be even lower.

What President Bush is doing is empowering the middle class and younger workers. I will call it the new “New Deal” for younger workers. By modernizing Social Security now, we won’t have to face $10 trillion in unfunded liabilities, and ensure that it be there for 20-something workers like myself. The transition cost seems high, but the cost of doing nothing is much, much higher.

I see this president willing to compromise, and even willing to raise the cap on SS taxes from its current $90,000 limit to help pay for the new cost. I see Democrats folding their arms and refusing to add influence in upcoming legislation. Believe it or not we need not only the Republicans to ensure Social Security modernization and survival, but also the Democrats.

Jacob Johnson,

Lawrence