MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1999

Social Security challenged

By Wes Woods

On-Line Forty-Niner

Social Security.

The word brings to mind many images, from distress to disregard.

And with a crowd of about 150 people watching and later participating on Thursday in USU Rooms one and two, the debate forum titled "Social Security Challenge" ran the gamut of opinions.

The controversial topic was broken into three possible solutions:

First, continue the social insurance program and Medicare in its present form.

Second, make major alterations to the programs.

Third, abolish the programs entirely and change to privatization or something else.

"A demographic tidal wave is coming our way in the form of an older America," said Todd Flora, the state director of the Concord Coalition, who was one of three panel members speaking. "We need to get the public talking about the issue."

"A crisis [Social Security] is looming," Flora, who was supportive of choice three, warned. "Be prepared for it."

Damon Elder, regional director of Economic Security 2000, supported the third solution.

"We need to change social security," Elder said. "We need to allow every working American to benefit from the fruits of their labor."

Gene Williams, of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, felt differently.

"[Social Security] is the greatest program in this country's history," Williams said. "Fifty percent of this country's population would be in poverty without it."

All three panel members warned of the year 2013.

The year is when Social Security will draw upon its trust fund to pay out benefits.

This will occur because money earned from payroll taxes will not be enough to cover everyone.

During the question-and-answer session, one audience member proposed raising or eliminating the tax cap, which was taxing 6.2 percent of $68,400 in 1998, on Social Security.

"The nation really should be fair," Elder said in response. "To receive a pittance [for putting in a lot of money] is unfair."

After the question and answer period, the audience verbally voiced opinions on all three solutions.

Results from questionnaires given before and after the presentation are to be given to California policymakers this spring.