Jerry Smith

by this writer has drawn more criticism (“Wrath” I should say) and condemnation down on me than observations made concerning Social Security. The remarks were made in the 1970s. My twin sister Kayanne Walraven reached the qualifying age a few (????) years ago and draws Social Security now.

The specific remarks are not in front of me, but in defense of my position I stated, “I am not against Social Security; neither am I trying to take it from your mother or grandparents: I am simply saying that the system cannot be sustained without some changes in the structure being made.” All the remarks made back then were based on observations of mathematics and not on those who were drawing. At the time of writing, both my mother and Grandmother Foster were drawing Social Security benefits.

Just two Saturdays ago (Feb. 17, 2018), on the Opinion and Voices page of this paper right under my column was an outstanding treatment of the subject by one Jay Ambrose of the Tribune News Service. Any citizen cannot imagine how beneficial it would be if they would read and reflect upon Ambrose’s column titled “Fix the debt by fixing entitlements.” My position has not changed since those days I wrote in the 1970s.

In acknowledging problems of a financial nature Ambrose observed – and this is the crux of the matter – “….it is to address Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These