... AND STATE REP. KASTEN'S LETTER

To the editor:

I am dismayed at the recent misrepresentation by three of my Democratic colleagues regarding House Concurrent Resolution 12. On March 28, these representatives sent a form letter written for them by the Democratic Party to your fine newspaper. The form letter claimed wide support for their efforts to defeat HCR 12, which they claim is an effort to put the Social Security program in danger. You should know, however, that the form letter was written before the issue was publicized. It is, in fact, one part of a detailed scheme the Democrats have cooked up to lie about the Social Security issue and scare senior citizens in the coming elections.

My colleagues surely know, or they should know, that Social Security is a federal program that cannot be altered by a Missouri House concurrent resolution. They should be ashamed for trying to convince you otherwise. The debate over the future of Social Security will take place in Washington.

So what does HCR 12 actually do? It is simply a request that Congress get busy and do something to preserve Social Security for the future. It says nothing about privatization or any other plan that might be offered to make sure Social Security is solvent beyond the current "breakdown" year of 2029. In fact, the resolution urges Congress to make its changes "within the Social Security system." What's wrong with reminding Congress that Social Security ought to be a priority?

The goal of the Republican Party has always been to preserve the Social Security system for those who currently depend on it, strengthen it so it can withstand the influx of baby boomers and sustain it for generations to come. The goal of the Democratic Party, apparently, is to use the Social Security system like a twisted shard of metal to be swiped at the faces of elderly Missourians.

It sounds wrong to me, and downright shameful.

STATE REP. MARY KASTEN, 158th District

Cape Girardeau