Before it turns to dust

It is time to remind those who cannot remember that there was a time when there was no Social Security, and it looks like the Republican czar is ready to take us back to that time ("The economics of creating an 'ownership society,' " Times, News, Jan. 19).

My grandparents lost their farm to the Dust Bowl in Kansas and had to move to town. My grandfather was too broken by the wheat dust and hard work and too old to be hired by any company in town. My grandmother managed from her egg money to put a down payment on a large old prairie-style house and take in boarders. She washed, cooked, cleaned and packed lunches for single men living away from home and working in the big city. She never had to go on the dole, but she knew many who did and it was considered the ultimate tragedy back then.

Grandmother also managed to pay into Social Security and in her retirement was eligible for a little stipend, which saw her through. Otherwise, she would not have had a dime coming in. There was no "golden umbrella" for dusted-out farmers or boarding-house managers. Regardless of her hard and honorable work, she would have been destitute without the Social Security program.

Her contributions were responsible. The government handled her money responsibly and she had retirement coverage.

Not every citizen is capable of or able to meet investment requirements. There are minimum dollar requirements for investment into the stock market. Call a broker and ask. Ask the broker what the fee will be for handling the account and the transactions, meaning the buying and selling. If you are saving up to meet the minimum dollar requirement and one of the kids has an accident and needs hospitalization, you are going to spend the money on that and worry about your old age later.

Social Security was created for low-income folks who had no other options. It has done a wonderful job of caring for the American public in its retirement.

Where is our respect for our institutions? Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!

There have been at least six different ways suggested to fix Social Security, not the least of which is to say, "hands off" to the rest of the government.

Janet Foster writes from LaConner.