Concern About Social Security

To the Editor:

What started off as a mere government project has developed into an in-depth research and learning experience. Our concern regarding the future of the Social Security System in America was what we chose as our “political action” project for our first semester Government class. We were told to choose a topic that concerned us and although our knowledge on social security was minimal, we found that there is a large threat for future generations in terms of social security.

After writing to over 30 congress men and women, we have concluded that unless people start taking action and working to save the system, the generation looking to retire in the 2030s and 40s are not going to have anything to fall back on. Only about eight congressmen wrote back, but seven out of eight of them spoke of their fear for the future of social security.

Our goal is to educate the public and members of the younger generations. We have made efforts in doing so by arranging an assembly with Senator Lieberman, writing to congressmen expressing our concern, creating a Web page that highlights key aspects of social security and writing to the student body in our school newspaper. We hope that with our effort and the efforts of others, we too will have the social security funds to help us through retirement.

Thank you,

Brittany McClure and Erin Lewis

 Newtown High School

Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook                                      January 11, 2000