This letter is in response to H.M. Toll's letter in the Oct. 23 Collegian. After reading the editorial on Monday, I was happy to see that there were kids out there that were interested in the upcoming election other than the Collegian staff. My beliefs diverge from Mr. Toll's about Social Security, where I believe it to be a decrepit institution which now basically functions as a panacea.

When Social Security was first instated under the Roosevelt administration, the money that an individual had to pay into Social Security was essentially their money that was in holding by the government and would be returned to them once they retired at age 65. What made Social Security work at that time was the fact that there was a very small percentage of Americans that lived to 65, let alone 70.

As we move into the 21st century more and more Americans are living past 65, most definitely, to at least the age of 75 to 80. This means that there are more and more people receiving benefits at a given time which leads to a smaller surplus and less money received by senior's in Social Security benefits for a given year.

Secondly, the money that we, working individuals, pay into social security is essentially put into a time capsule until we are eligible to receive it further contributes to the lack of worth of the present system. Meaning, the money that I may pay into Social Security sits for however many years it takes for me to become eligible, accumulating no interest, and losing value to inflation. So that when I eventually do become eligible to receive benefits, my money is worth less than when I put it in!

Finally and most importantly the money that I pay into Social Security is my money and I expect to get it back when I retire. And for the people who believe that the money that is put social security by me isn't mine but necessarily the public's money, answer this for me. If that money is not mine, why I am I being taxed on my earnings before my payments to Social Security are withheld?