The debate on Social Security has largely been directed at political pie-in-the-sky returns in the future. If we fret over future problems, benefits (to families and neighbors) also deserve consideration. They are well stated in this summary from AARP: 6,390 — That's the number of Social Security checks received each month on the Kenai Peninsula.

Of those checks received, 385 go to children of deceased parents. Another 260 checks go to children whose parents are disabled and receive Social Security disability benefits. Another 490 checks go to surviving widows or widowers. And 990 checks go to Kenai Peninsula citizens under 65 who are too disabled to work.

Almost one-third of all Social Security checks delivered to Kenai Peninsula residents go to children, surviving spouses and people with disabilities under age 65.

Social Security... it really is a family protection plan.

This outline of critical support to Kenai Peninsula people is being supported and will continue to help us for the next 35-45 years from Social Security's current resources. Those benefits could be diminished by the drain from private accounts, not a cost mentioned by President Bush in his strident proposal for taking money from Social Security.

Should we stay with the now workable structure, rather than a radical new initiative?

James E. Fisher

Soldotna