CANDIDATE: CONGRESS MUST QUIT DIPPING INTO SOCIAL SECURITY FUND

Democratic congressional candidate Tony Heckemeyer said Congress must quit dipping into the Social Security Trust Fund to balance the federal budget.

He also decried spending cuts in the Medicare program.

Heckemeyer spoke Thursday to about 20 elderly residents at the Cape Senior Center.

Heckemeyer, a former circuit judge from Sikeston, said he would work to preserve Social Security and Medicare funding.

"The Republican Congress has decided they can burden the elderly even more. That is wrong," he said.

Over the years, the federal government has taken $700 billion out of the Social Security Trust Fund, Heckemeyer said.

Congress needs to put money back into the trust fund and the money should be invested in government securities so that future generations will have the money they need when they retire, he said.

"It is the responsible thing to do. It is the correct thing to do," said Heckemeyer.

Forty-four million Americans depend on Social Security. Three fifths of all retired persons receive most of their income from Social Security, he said.

Heckemeyer said the GOP-led Congress reduced Medicare spending by $115 billion last year and is looking to make further reductions this year.

Every American should have access to affordable health insurance, said Heckemeyer, one of three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the 8th District congressional seat.

He said government should encourage pooling to allow private insurance companies to spread the risk. Such a move would help lower the cost to consumers for health insurance, Heckemeyer said.

Heckemeyer told the senior citizens that they should be wary of Congress' quick fixes.

"If we are going to fix these programs, let's make sure we do it right the first time. I will not let Washington insiders play with the promise your government made to you," he said.

Heckemeyer criticized prosecutor Kenneth Starr's continuing investigation of President Clinton. He said the investigation appeared to be politically motivated.

He said it is easy for a prosecutor to charge an individual through the use of the grand jury process.

"A prosecutor can indict a billy goat," Heckemeyer said.