I paid into Social Security for 37 years ["Long Live Social Security Reform", April 21, 2006]. My last statement reveals that my contributions and my "employers" contributions totaled over 200K. I shall be 56 in October. I recognize the dilemma and humbly make the following suggestions:

For those 60 and over, the full meal deal.
55-59 95% of your current defined benefit.
50-54 90%
45-49 85%
40-44 80%
Below 40, 75%

Raise the age for full benefits to 67 for those between 50 and 59. 68 for those in their 40s. 70 for everyone else. Raise the income limit to 500K upon which the tax is applied and index it.

I am willing to be reasonable. I do, however, intend to collect some of that 200K. The absolute tragedy of social security is that had I been allowed to invest my money properly, I would have a secure retirement.

I am not a stockholder in this country. I am a stakeholder! I have worked and paid taxes for over 40 years (and plan on working well into my 60s). I have served in the military. I have been a productive citizen, husband and father. I do not believe it is bad form to suggest that yes...I am entitled to my place in the Sun in my old age. I have earned it.

I am willing to be patriotic. I am willing to make a sacrifice for the greater good of this beloved land. It must be said, however, that I only feel contempt for a Congress that has used this money as nothing more than a slush fund. They carry on about Enron. Enron can't hold a candle to what Congress has done to Social Security.

One more thing. A Congress whose members retire with 6 figure pensions, gold plated medical benefits and fabulously lucrative careers as lobbyists .... has no face on this issue.

Paul Evans