I disagree with the points made in the June 15 editorial regarding Ed Case and Mazie Hirono.
The editorial, "A clear choice for senator," questions whether Hirono lives in a "fantasy world" regarding the long-term stability of the Social Security program.
According to the latest U.S. Census data, the population of the United States is estimated to grow 50 percent in the next 50 years and 100 percent in the next 100 years. In 2006, the U.S. hit its highest fertility rate since 1971.
Although there is some disagreement as to whether the immigrants will contribute as much as native-born citizens to the Social Security program, or whether they will continue to arrive in the numbers they did in the past due to the recession, what is undeniable is that they do contribute to a steadily increasing birth rate, which should offset some of the alarmism regarding the long-term stability of Social Security.
There is no question that some changes to the system would be helpful, but calculations indicate the program should be stable again by 2035 (www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p111.html).
As for letting people retire at 60, why not? We have to make way for the new generation.
Young people need the jobs and opportunities to start their lives.
Michael Markrich
Kailua, Oahu
