Social Security changes needed

To the editor:

I'm certainly glad Alan Journet is objective and has no ax to grind. He continues to spew this tired, but now sputtering, class- and age-warfare nonsense. It would appear he refuses to see there is a looming problem with our Social Security system. He argues for increased the decades-old salary cap. He must be ignorant of the fact that a major increase occurred during the early years of President Clinton. The salary cap for Social Security taxes was raised this year to $90,000 from $87,900. His suggestion to "increase current payments a minuscule amount" is obfuscation at its finest. Is he also ignorant to the fact that cost-of-living adjustments are generally in the 2 to 3 percent range each year?

The current proposal is for a partial, voluntary privatization with no changes to current retirees or those 55 and older. Journet obviously thinks most Americans are too stupid to manage a portion of their accounts. Journet's opinion of tax cuts is typical. Currently, 90 percent of tax revenue comes from the top 50 percent of wage earners. If Journet thinks this is too small, he can send more to Washington from his salary.

Although his opinion is fine, Journet needs to hold down the demagoguery. His hatred for this administration is transparent and counterproductive.

I'm not totally convinced about this administration's proposal for Social Security, but it's painfully obvious modifications need to occur.

STEVE SHELTON, Sikeston, Mo.