BY MARCI A. LANDSMANN
Staff Writer

President Clinton made an appearance in the Northeast last Tuesday to urge senior citizens to back legislation to reform Social Security for future generations, who fear they will not be able to enjoy the benefits.

"The trick is to save the Social Security (program)," said Clinton in a live via satellite town meeting that interactively linked five cities through out the nation, "but also to have more income coming to people from private sectors."

Clinton urged young people to invest privately, and gave legislators five governing principles to guide them in reform.

"By and large, it's not your problem," U.S. Rep. Robert A. Borski Jr. (D-3), told seniors at the Jewish Community Center Klein Branch, at Jamison and Red Lion Rds., before Clinton's satellite transmission. "Social Security is a program that has worked well and we want to make sure it works well for future generations."

The first step toward ensuring the future, Borski said, is to make certain the Social Security surplus is handled effectively. Borski is co-sponsoring legislation HR 3207 that outlaws using the Social Security surplus to mask the government's budget deficit.

"This year we are celebrating the first balanced budget in some 30 years. They're telling us we are going to have a surplus of $8 billion," Borski said. "If we didn't use trust fund money, Social Security, medicare and the transportation trust fund, we would be in a deficit by almost $150 billion."

According to law signed by Lyndon Johnson, there can be no Social Security surpluses at the end of each fiscal year. Social Security surpluses therefore must be invested in treasury notes, which earn interest. In other words, one government agency is borrowing from another government agency "making our rosy, economic budgetary picture appear better than it is," Borski said.

In fact, the government currently owes Social Security taxpayers $600 billion, Borski said.

"The thought that always drives me," he said, "is where are we going to come up with that money?"

Clinton assured that these debts would be paid back and that borrowing from other agencies was a "safe and sound thing to do" because it forced interest rates to stay low in the private sector.

"I do not believe it's a raid of Social Security," Clinton said. "It would be a raid if the money were not paid back when it's due to be paid to you, but the money will be paid back."

The problem begins in 2029, there will be twice as many (people) retiring as there are today. If we don't act now, by then payroll contributions will only account for 75 percent of government benefits," said Clinton. "That's why I challenge our nation to act now to strengthen Social Security for the 21st century."

The senior citizens in attendance voiced concerns about future generations.

"We are here for our children and grandchildren," said senior citizen Dorothy Wolfe, of Lawndale. "The biggest concern is for those that can't be here and are working now. We are here to be responsible citizens for a generation that can't speak out right now."

For those children and grandchildren, Clinton has a message:

"I want to say again no matter what we do with Social Security those of you that are 16, 17, 20 and 21," Clinton said, "you will have to do more through your employer, through your own individual efforts to save for your own retirement over and above Social Security if you want to maintain your standard of living when you retire."

Clinton stated reform should follow these governing principles:

· Strengthen and protect Social Security for the 21st century.

· Maintain the universality and fairness of Social Security.

· Provide a benefit that people can count on, regardless of the economy or financial market.

· Maintain America's hard won fiscal discipline.

Clinton refused to offer any specific reform plan stating it would "undermine and weaken debate" in future months.

Instead, in December, a White House meeting will put all the plans on the table. In January 1999, Clinton and Congress will begin hammering out a plan, Clinton stated.

Clinton did say he thought Social Security could be saved without increasing payroll taxes, which are now at 12.4 percent, with 6.2 being paid by employers. Deeming 1998 an "education year," Clinton encouraged continued discussion about Social Security reform.

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