CLARK COUNTY — The problems with Social Security



With millions receiving and depending on Social Security checks along with it being one of the largest entitlements in the federal budget, it’s no wonder politicians run from making the hard decisions on the item.

Baron Hill is just one such example. After 10 years in Congress, he’s still putting it off — until after the elections. Moreover, as Tom Sinex points out, it’s Hill that hasn’t been protecting it, as he votes for and spends our Social Security funds.  

So, to begin, while the recent excellent articles by Kelley Curran and Sinex analyzed and described the problem in detail, I found, like cap-and-trade, that some people continue to wonder what a Ponzi scheme is and how it relates to Social Security. Basically, think of it as something Bernie Madoff put together. Something guaranteed to lose your money. In many respects, similar to a pyramid scheme, you simply run out of people to fund it and more is required, considering the longer lifespans of our citizens.

Another problem is the money you’ve put in over the years is much like an investment, such as putting it into bonds. The huge difference lies in the death of a spouse. When that happens, the surviving spouse will receive only the larger of the Social Security checks and the other check is lost — unlike if you were taking an amount out monthly from your private investments.

Yes, you can equate it to putting money into Enron or WorldCom, because it’s lost. So, it’s a horrible business model that needs to be replaced, not just tinkered with. Thankfully, it appears Greg Knott and Todd Young are prepared to make the hard decisions.

— John Krueger, Clarksville





Please don’t deflate our children’s bicycle tires



Little 7-year-old Johnny proudly clung to the large hand of his tall father while they walked along a wing of the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. They were viewing exhibits of relatively modern art. On the wall hung a plain, ordinary bicycle. Johnny peered up at this trusting parent and asked, “Dad, what is that thing with the two wheels?”

His guardian, embarrassed and saddened, answered, “A bicycle.”

Johnny pressed on, “What was it used for, sir?”

“It was really for exercise. Also, fun, when I was your age, son. We kids enjoyed riding on them down empty, hilly streets and winding paths in nearby neighborhood woods. It was a blast with the wind blowing in your hair.”

The time at the gallery ended quickly. Johnny had to get back home for his daily dose of Ritalin.

Today, millions of children are on this anti-depression medicine — a so-called “depression” due to a lack of any daily physical activity.

Sixty-six percent of the world’s entire market for anti-depressive, anti-psychotic drugs are sold in our nation. Read “Comfortably Numb,” by Charles Barber.

Sometimes, I wonder if an unnecessary cottage industry of doping children for a buck exists. Many psychiatrists, such as the renowned Dr. Peter R. Breggin of Howard University (“Medication Madness”) are fighting to bring debate of this insane status quo to light.

It has been related to me (fact or fiction?) that perhaps two new gymnasiums have been or are going to be built at taxpayers’ cost at the county high school. Yet, physical education classes are not required beyond the freshmen terms.

More than one out every of three kids in Indiana, in this age bracket, are obese, which can lead to diabetes and higher state health care costs. How about a little “nip it in the bud” common sense? Educators? Politicians?

May I add that Naperville High School, a suburb of Chicago — near where, I believe, our Greater Clark County Schools Superintendent last served and where President Barack Obama would have been familiar with the area’s politicians — has raised its SAT scores in math by about 17 percent and its reading skills by 24 percent. How?

Simply by having students partake in an hour of exercise — i.e. treadmill, workouts, etc., before classes each morning.

I simply ask, “Do not we, as a community, have the obligation to provide our children with the best, most clear, positive mental and physical guidance and resources to face the so-called ever-changing reality of life’s challenges? In essence, how much do we truly cherish our next generation?

— H. James Janson, Marysville

A grieving mother says thanks



On Aug. 25, 2009,  my son, Larry “Pucka” Morrow, was shot and killed. For 11 months, I talked to  Jeffersonville Police Detective Brian Mitchell three time a week. I wasn’t giving up; whomever killed my son would be found and charged with murder..

Detective Mitchell and Detective Sean Kennedy from the department put a lot of time and hours on this case. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

I miss my son. Life is not the same. Now I go visit him, all I see is a tombstone. Larry knew mom wouldn’t give up and I didn’t.

Thanks to everyone who helped through our grief. Son, I will love and miss you always.

— Cheryl Morrow, mother, and the Morrow family