Published in USA Today --November 28, 2001
A government burdened by
deficits will not be able to cope effectively with the multitude of problems facing America ("Experts predict deficits will last years," News,
Nov. 20).
Burgeoning health-care
costs, long-term Social Security insolvency and the impending collapse of Medicare are threatening our well-being. These challenges cannot be ignored.
The pitfalls are many.
Although the number of Americans without healthcare coverage had recently dipped to 38.7 million, that number could rise a million more as a result of
economic stagnation, further exacerbated by the terrorism of Sept. 11 and beyond.
Projections for Medicare
insolvency in 2029 and for Social Security a decade later may be shortened considerably by protracted terrorism, unforseen economic disruption or the
increased medical needs of an aging population.
Tax cuts designed to spur
the economy and the potential for increased tax revenue are a partial solution. More likely, the government will need to raise taxes to pay for its
obligations, or cut programs drastically. Americans must rely more on ingenuity and less on the government to resolve their problems. Efficient healthcare,
optimum good health, postponed retirement and personal savings are methods that may be employed to cope with the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Frederick Gurzeler, Research Assistant
Institute for SocioEconomic Studies
White Plains, NY
