In Don Purvis's statement, Social Security, Our Last Bit of Hope, Mr Purvis expresses some anxiety in the face of moves to limit Social Security. For some people, that social security check is the difference between a reasonable existence and poverty. Why do younger people attack it? There are several reasons, which seem quite valid to those people:

1. The intergenerational discussion about Social Security (and Medicare) is acrimonious because it is too absolutist. If one wants to reduce benefits to the elderly, that does not mean that one wants to reduce benefits to ALL elderly -- only to those who aren't in need. If the discussion were calmer, and took into account the varying needs of the elderly, it would probably be less frightening and more constructive. I don't know any people of my children's generation who want to cut off all benefits to the elderly. They know that such benefits are in their interest, too -- even if they never get any of those benefits for themselves.

2. Social Security is not a paid-for program. Once one has drawn 4 or 5 years' inclome from the Social Security "fund", one has been paid back fully for the total paid "into" Social Security, plus interest. In other words, asnything past 5 years' Social Security is welfare, plain and simple. Alot of the younger people want some of that "welfare" for the purpose of training and maintaining the health of young people -- at least insofar as that money is being paid to elderly persons already fairly well off. Yes, I know that it is hard to accept that Medicare and Social Security are largely welfare programs, but they are. In a couple of years, I will be retiring, so everything I say here applies to me, as well as to you.

3. Medicare is not a paid-for program. The subsidy is paid for out of tax dollars. Again, some people think that this subsidy should only go to those who really need it. In other words, to the extent that Medicare is not paid for by those who benefit from it, it is a welfare program, and many young people resent that well-off senior citizens are taking money that could be spent on education and health care for the very young.

4. As generations pass through life, the number of young workers per elderly person on social security is diminishing rapidly. That means that the workers in each generation will have to pay a much greater portion of their pay to support Social Security than did the previous generation. Young persons look at this demographic fact and know that the chance for any of them to receive Social Security is not great, because the next generation of workers won't pay the crippling tax needed to keep Social Security afloat.

5. The wisdom of communities is stored largely in the minds and memories of those who have lived longer and experienced more than others. The wisdom of those who are older is a great resource for those who want to plan for the future of our nation. But, those elderly who take a hard position, with which no one can argue, on the issue of how to deal with Social Security and Medicare, will not be consulted, and their wisdom will not be put to the best use for our country.

Are you up to the task of contributing constructively and unselfishly to the discussion of our nation's financial future?