Lee Metcalf: “I wanted to comment on this specifically because I am one of the seniors we are talking about. I know, I know a lot…”

“I wanted to comment on this specifically because I am one of the seniors we are talking about. I know, I know a lot about how they feel about this issue. The seniors that understand it are irate that their money is not being there collecting interest with negotiable instruments but it is being taken out to mask the size of the deficit. That is to fool the American people and tell them, let them think that the deficit is much smaller than it actually is. In the year 2002, when we arrive there, we are still going to be over $100 billion a year still in a deficit position unless we fix this and a couple of other things. I think we need to be honest with the seniors. It is their money. They paid it in. They trusted the government to have that money there when they need it and the sign says it is about honesty. That is exactly what it is about. We have to be honest with the American people. The problem is the Congress has over the years tried to obfuscate and confuse the issue of the deficit, and it is time that we stand up and say what it is and be honest about it and then we can work toward an equitable solution in the long run. I say it is absolutely essential to be honest with the seniors and to get that money taken off budget so it is there for the seniors when they need it.”