To the editor:

President Bush is right to propose personal accounts into reforming Social Security. These accounts would be optional and not forced. I myself would choose an account because I feel it is needed for workers to invest in themselves rather than rely on workers that will not be there to pay for Social Security when I need it.

Democrats have said it’s an attack on the poor. The president supports faster growth for low income-earners than for high income-earners when it comes to calculating public benefits. Democrats say, what about our elderly citizens? I say they are very important; that is why President Bush has said those 55 and older will not be affected and will remain in the system as it stands today. Democrats argue people don’t know how to invest and it’s too risky. Bush has proposed an option in the new system that would be an account invested only in government treasury bonds with the full faith and credit of the United States behind them.

As a 23-year-old worker, I welcome the idea of private accounts inside the Social Security system. I would sign up today if the option was there. This new system proposed is for younger workers, to ensure that retirement is there for us like my grandparents have had. Demographics have changed and there aren’t enough workers to sustain the system as is. It’s only fair to empower younger workers now. God bless.

Justin Smitley,

Lawrence