The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 67, No. 78, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 27, 1993 Page: 4 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Gillespie County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Harper Library.
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The Coming Problems Of The Social Security System
By Bruce D. Schobel
(NAPS)—If you are 43 years
old today and expect to begin
receiving Social Security benefits
at age 66, your “normal retirer
ment age” under present law, you
may be in for a surprise. In the
year 2016, just 23 years from now,
the Social Security program will
begin running cash deficits. At
first, the problem will be manage-
iable: benefit pay-
fments and adminis-
trative costs will
lexceed income by
Jonly $13 billion.
IWithin five years,
Ihowever, the short-
jfall will exceed $200
I billion annually. Ten
Schobel years later, it will be
nearly $1 trillion. By the early
2020’s, if not earlier, Social
Security benefits will almost cer-
tainly have to be reduced, if the
program is to have any hope of
meeting its obligations.
Social Security’s Board of
Trustees, whose financial projec-
tions are the basis for this analy-
sis, says not to worry, the system
won’t go broke until 2036. They
estimate that the trust funds will
rise to a healthy nest egg of $5.6
trillion in 2024, two and a half
times the projected annual payout
at that time. According to the
trustees, benefits will then be
assured for another 12 years, as
the assets in the trust fund are
sold off. There is a major problem,
however, with the trustees’ projec-
tion of a 40-year margin of safety:
there may be no money in those
trust funds when it is time to
draw them down. The money may
have already been spent on other
government programs.
When Social Security’s income
exceeds its expenses, the surplus
is retained by the Treasury and
used to meet the government’s
non-Social Security expenses. For
example, the rece . gradual rise
in Social Security ayroll taxes,
from 10.8 percent of wages and
salaries in 1983 to 12.4 percent
today, has led to annual surplus-
es that went to finance B-2
bombers, farm subsidies, savings
and loan bailouts, and other gen-
eral federal expenditures. In
return for using these funds, the
Treasury issues special bonds to
the trust funds.
When Social Security’s ex-
penses exceed its income, theo-
retically these bonds can be
redeemed to meet current obliga-
tions. Beginning in 2016, the
Treasury will need to begin
redeeming these bonds. They will
have to find the cash somewhere
else. Unfortunately, the choices
are limited, and none are politi-
cally attractive. The Treasury
has three options:
1. Sell bonds to the public.
Whether the public has sufficient
appetite to buy additional bonds at
an average rate of $500 billion per
year, even in the inflated dollars of
2025-2035, remains to be seen.
2. Raise taxes. Policymakers
can raise taxes to provide the
Treasury with the necessary
money. More directly, they could
raise Social Security taxes, reduc-
ing the need for bond redemptions.
3. Print money. This would
increase the inflation rate.
Because Social Security benefit
increases are tied to changes in
the Consumer Price Index, infla-
tion would result in even higher
benefit costs and the need to
redeem bonds more rapidly, not to
mention other deleterious econom-
ic effects.
Rather than trying, probably
unsuccessfully, to redeem the
trillions of dollars in bonds
accumulated over several dec-
ades, policymakers would likely
enact a package of revenue
increases and benefit reductions
that would bring Social Secur-
ity’s income and outgo into bal-
ance in 2016, or shortly after.
The following big ticket items
are likely to be included in such
a package:
•Increased Social Security
taxes. Tax increases are easy to
explain, and most workers pay
the additional amounts through
withholding from wages and
salaries.
•Increased taxation of benefits.
Since 1984, beneficiaries with
moderately high incomes ($25,000
for individuals, $32,000 for mar-
ried couples filing joint returns)
have paid federal income taxes on
up to 50 percent of their Social
Security benefits. The 50-percent
figure can be raised easily. In fact,
this has already been proposed so
often that it is likely to occur long
before 2016.
If I am correct, then, the Social
Security program will not be as
rich for tomorrow’s retirees as it is
for today’s. People who hoped to
be enjoying their retirement after
2016 should start saving more
now if they want to maintain a
comfortable standard of living
after retiring. The necessary
amounts cannot be saved during
the last few working years; they
must be accumulated over a
much longer period of time. Even
if the trustees are correct, Social
Security will have serious prob-
lems beginning in 2036 and will
need to change. Today’s workers
need to know that now, while they
still have time to modify their
retirement planning.
Prior to joining New York Life
in 1990, Bruce Schobel was Senior
Policy Advisor to the Commis-
sioner of the Social Security
Administration. This article was
adapted from a longer version
in Policy Review, Fall 1992. If
you would like an informative
brochure about planning for
retirement simply call 1-800-695-
4331 or write to New York Life,
51 Madison Avenue, New York,
NY 10010.
TEXAS SHEEP AND GOAT
COMMODITY BOARD
DEAN’S LIST
Kitt Lea Langehenning,
daughter of Francis T.
and Mary (Molder)
Langehenning of Austin,
has been named to the
Dean's List for the
Fall, 1992 semester and
Spring, 1993 semester at
Texas Lutheran College.
Kitt is a senoir multi-
disciplinary studies ma-
jor with a specializa-
tion in reading- She
will begin student
teaching first grade at
Jefferson Elementary
school in Seguin for the
Spring, 1994 semester.
To be named on the
Dean's List, students
must have at least a 3.5
cummulative grade point
average of 12 graded
hours in the past semes-
ter. Texas Lutheran
College offers degrees
in 24 academic disci-
plines and 9 pre-profes-
sional programs.
Kitt is the granddaught-
er of John Molder, Sr.
of Harper and the late
Anna Molder, and the
late Mr. and Mrs. Erhardt
Langhenning of Freder-
icksburg.
1
>oPuLKTvot4' 5 BillioN
AJ
Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.
—Joey Adams
CSC*. ’
WEATHER REPORT
r'
DATE
HI
LO
RAIN
* .
JULY
11
87
70
— —
JULY
12
86
70
—
JULY
13
87
71
—
,u*
JULY
14
88
67
—
K '
JULY
15
88
67
—
C;
JULY
16
87
70
—
JULY
17
88
71
—
jK
JULY
18
89
69
—
’V
JULY
19
89
67
—
JULY
20
89
70
—
K
JULY
21
90
69
—
JULY
22
91
70
—
JULY
23
93
68
—
JULY
24
94
71
—
fe
Paul
Lang
5*
PLANK OWNER
July 14, 1993 (FHTNC)—
Navy Petty Officer 3rd
Class Rodger W. Monday,
whose wife, Lisa is the
daughter of Kelton E.
Kramer of Harper, Texas,
became a "plank owner"
with the guided missile
cruiser USS Cape St.
George, homeported in
Norfolk, VA. The ship
was commissioned recent-
ly in Norfolk, VA.
In naval tradition the
term "plank owner” .is
given to those original
crewmembers who are on
board when it is commis-
sioned and becomes a
part of the U.S. fleet.
USS Cape ST. George
takes its name from the
famous battle in Novem-
ber of 1943, in which
Commodore Arle.igh Burke'
s Destroyer Squadron 23
won a decisive victory
over the Japanese. Dur-
ing the battle, three
Japanese ships were sunk
and a fourth took heavy
damages, while not a
single casualty was suf-
fered by U.S. forces.
The newly commissioned
cruiser is the 25th Ti-
conderoga Class Aegis
guided missile cruiser.
The ship can detect hos-
tile surface ships, sub-
marines, and air forces
simultaneously,while de-
livering long range of-
fensive land attacks.
The ship's diverse com-
bat capability is or-
chestrated by the Aegis
weapons system, the only
fully integrated elec-
tronic detection, en-
gagement and fire con-
trol system in the world
today.
The 1^88 graduate of
Manchester High School
of Richmond, VA., joined
the Navy in July, 1988.
POEMS WANTED
Poems are now being ac-
cepted for entry in
Sparrowgrass Poetry For-
um's new ’’Distinguished
Poet. Awards" poetry con-
test. Cash prizes total-
ing $1,000 will be a-
warded, including a $500
grand prize. The contest
is free to enter.
Poets may enter one
poem only, 20 lines or
less, on any subject, in
any style. Contest clos-
es Sept. 30, 1993, but
poets are encouraged to
send their work as soon
as possible. Poems en-
tered in the contest al-
so will be considered
for publication in the
Summer 1994 edition of
Treasured Poems of Amer-
ica. a hardcover anthol-
ogy to be published in
April 1994. Anthology
purchase may be required
to enter to win the con-
test. Prize winners will
be notified by Nov. 30,
1993.
"Our contest is es-
pecially for new and un-
published poets and of-
fers a public forum that
enables them to share
their work," says Jerome
P. Welch, Publisher. "We
look for originality of
ideas and welcome poetry
of all styles and th-
emes. Many of our con-
test winners are new
poets with new ideas."
Poom should bo aont to
Sparrowgrass Poetry Fo-
rum, Inc., Dept. J, 203
Diamond St., sisters-
ville, WV 26175
UVALDE - The newly or-
ganized Texas Sheep and
Goat Commodity Board,
approved in a state-wide
producer referendum late
last year to raise funds
for predator control,
has had its proposed
budget approved and can
now seek ways to imple-
ment programs.
In a meeting held last
week in Uvalde, board
members decided that 85
percent of available
monies would go toward
"unique and specialized
control" proceedures
that could be accelerat-
ed as funds permit. Of
particular interest is
mote aerial hunting as
well as increased ground
level trapping person-
nel, reported Perry
Bushong of Mountain
Home, boa rd chairma n.
In a special report to
members of the Texas
Sheep and Goat Raisers
Association during its
annual convention,
Bushong, said the board
would consider program
recommendations at its
next meeting on August
24. He asked producers
to send in program ideas
or call the board's San
Angelo office with sug-
gestions. The mailing
address is TSGCB, Box
3543, San Angelo, Texas
76902, or telephone
(915) 659-8777.
"We need producers to
give us ideas. This is
their board and we want
them to have input in
our decisions," Bushong
said.
The board has discussed
developing educational
programs for land owners
who have deer and other
exotic game, but who are
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
not presently participa-
ting in the control pro-
gram.
"We believe they will
want to work with us as
well when they see what
we are trying to do to
protect our livestock,"
Bushong said.
Bushong reported that
the board has received
in excess $100,000 in
assessments since the
board was set up earlier
this year. Producers
contribute 20 cents per
head at the point of
sale.
Bushong said the board
would soon be able to
contract with the U.S.
Department of Agricul
ture's Animal Damage
Control program for ad-
ditional flying hours
and additional trappers.
"We want our money to
enhance their work,"
Bushong said.
^SaltEPree
*Qookery
Your Microwave:
Healthful Cooking Ideas
Here are three ideas on how
to use your microwave and
ready-made salt-free herb
and spice blends to cut your
cooking time, use less energy
and produce more healthful,
nutritious foods.
•TOT
Use your microwave and
ready-made salt-free herb
and spice blends to make
tasty, healthful meals.
• It’s a good idea to reach
for a salt-free seasoning such
as Mrs. Dash instead of salt
or other seasonings with chem-
icals when you microwave. Salt,
when used in microwave cook-
ing robs food of natural mois-
ture and juices. Each of the
four Mrs. Dash herb and spice
blends is made with 100 per-
cent natural ingredients that
enhance the natural flavors of
food without drying it out.
• For a quick lunch or
snack, scrub a baking potato
and pierce with a fork. Cook
on High for about six minutes.
While it’s standing, mix one-
quarter cup plain lowfat yogurt
with one tablespoon of the
salt-free herb blend. Split
potato and top with mixture.
• Microwave foods with the
suggested amount of seasoning,
and taste food after letting it
stand a few minutes. Then add
more seasoning if desired.
Garlic has a wide keputa-
tion as a treatment for in-
testinal worms and para-
sites in both cats and dogs.
The average daily increase in the world’s population is about
270,000 or just under 200 per minute.
The original title of Gone
With The Wind was Tomor-
row Is Another Day.
also invented a game called “Mark Twain’s Memory-Builder, a
Game for Acquiring and Retaining All Sorts of Facts and Dates.”
He sold the game in 1891, but it proved too complex and was a
commercial failure.
THE WAY WE WERE
Have you over hoard
your parents or grand-
parents talk about the
home remedies they used
to treat or prevent .ill-
ness? In my home town
of Madison, Connecticut,
calling the doctor was a
last resort, used only
when you seemed to be at
death's door. The em-
phasis was on preven-
tion, or what was in the
medicine cabinet.
I can remember my
mother sending me out to
the yard in the spring
to pick all the dandeli-
ons available before
they had gone to seed.
The leaves were used to
put iron in your system,
and, most importantly,
to "clean you out”. If
you had a sore throat
you were supposed to
chew spruce gym. If you
had a bad chest cold,
the remedies were terri-
fying to a young boy
growing up in the coun-
try. One remedy was
skunk oil rubbed on your
chest, and another was a
poultice of hot sliced
onions on your chest. If
all this failed, my
father would step in.
His remedy was hot wine
and cinnamon served in
the largest mug he could
find. This would put me
to sleep very rapidly
and I perspired so pro-
fusely that my father
would stay up all night
keeping me covered so I
wouldn't catch a chill.
Another memory, which
occurs to me, happened
when I was ten years
old. I was working in
the garden when I was
bitten by a snake. My
mother was very upset
and wondered what to do.
At that time, an Indian
tribe lived in caves at
a place called Nineveh
Falls. They made some of
t.heii' living by selling
baskets. One of .the In-
dians happened to come
by and asked my mother
what had happened. He
looked at my leg and im-
mediately looked for a
plant which he said
would tell him what type
of snake had bitten me.
He quickly came back
with a broad, thick leaf
which was covered with a
soft coating of hairlike
fuzz. He crushed the
leaf in his hands and
placed it on the punc-
ture wounds of the snake
bite. He removed the
leaf and looked at the
design on the leaf. He
went into the garden and
killed the snake. Then
he cut filets from it
and put them on the’
bite. When the flesh
turned color, he removed
the filets and put on a-
nother. He continued un-
til the filet no longer
changed color. He looked
at the place where the
snake had bitten me and
said I'll be well. He
had removed all the
poison. Needless to say,
rny mother bought some
baskets. The next day
you coilin' t. tell where
I'd been bitten. There
was no pain and there
were no after-effects.
Another event, which I
remember, happened about
a year later. Every
spring, my mother insis-
ted I have a dose of
syrup of figs. With the
dandelion leaves, this
was supposed to clear
out all the poisons
which had accumulated
during the winter. This
time she made a mistake.
This time, she gave me a
dose of furniture po-
lish l The two bottles
looked much alike. When
she discovered her er-
ror, she gave me ipecac
and tickled my throat
with a feather. The re-
sultt> were predictable.
She then suggested I
take another spoonful of
fig syrup. This was to
make sure everything had
gone through one opening
or another.
I should mention that.
New Englanders around
our neck of the woods
used spider webs to stop
bleeding from cuts or
bad abrasions from falls
or other accidents. If
you suffered a cut or
wound near salt: water,
like Long Island Sound,
you walked into the wa-
ter and let the water
wash it. 1 would hate to
try that now with the
pollution present on the
East Coast. Then, the
wound would heal, but
now, you'd wind up in
the hospital!!
George Field
Hill Country Writers,
Fredericksburg, Texas
The earliest adhesive stamps
were those used for local deliv-
ery by the City Dispatch Post
established in New York City,
February 15 1842.
i
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Bishop, Karen. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 67, No. 78, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 27, 1993, newspaper, July 27, 1993; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1035626/m1/4/?rotate=270: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Harper Library.