I went to the AARP debate (The Maui News, June 13) with my grandmother. I am a sophomore in high school, age 15.
Before the debate started, there was a presentation about the future of Social Security and Medicare. I was shocked to learn that my generation will be asked to pay a larger and larger percentage of our salaries for FICA and, when we reach the proposed new retirement age of 70, there will probably not be any money left to pay Social Security or have any Medicare coverage.
What about my parents? Will they have coverage when they retire in 20 years?
During the debate, the candidates were asked about how they would solve the Social Security funding problems. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono said she wouldn't do anything to change current benefits. This doesn't make sense to me. If you have a problem now, you should fix it now, not hand it off to future generations. Everyone should share the cost of the fix.
I wondered what she would say if she were speaking to voting-age college students about this problem. Would she tell them: "I don't care about your future. I only care about right now"?
I love my grandparents and want them to have the Medicare and Social Security benefits they earned. They love me and agree that it's not fair to keep putting off the fix until my generation. They promise me they will be voting for the candidate who has realistic solutions.
Connor Henebry
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
