Paul Simon, Director
Telephone 618-453-4009
FAX: 618-453-7800
Internet: psimon@siu.edu

Dear Friend:

Four of us--your former colleagues, two Republicans and two Democrats--who will not be seeking office again recently met to discuss an issue of great importance to the nation: the future of Social Security’s retirement trust fund.

If this problem is not addressed immediately, the difficulties will mount and the long-run picture for both the fund and the confidence in our system of government is grim. The sooner you address this problem, the easier it will be to resolve. Postponing responsible action may be temporarily politically attractive, but history will be harsh on those who ducked when action was needed.

We believe that salvaging Social Security requires these two fundamental changes:

1. Congress should act to correct the Consumer Price Index to reflect reality.
2. Congress should remove the cap on the taxable amount of income covered by Social Security.

If you accept the recommendations we make, you will provide the nation with a solvent Social Security retirement system, along with a much healthier fiscal base.

If the sacrifices that we call upon people to make are accepted, the trust fund should be secure for the lifetime of our children and grandchildren. That is no small gift to the future of our nation. You are in a position to make that contribution.

This is a time that calls for your leadership. We respectfully ask you to meet this challenge.