Social Security is not an entitlement program. There are Ponzi schemes and there is Social Security. For months politicians have been harping about the out-of-control social costs of Social Security and Medicare, the need to raise taxes, reduce benefits and extend the age of retirement.

These are lies because the entire Social Security system is a lie. According to the Social Security Administration (as of 2005) — based on the total money paid in by employees and employers — the expected payback in years for the average wage earner is 17.4 years. For a wage earner paying in the maximum, the payback time would be 25.7 years.

The Social Security Administration pays no interest on the money paid in over an average 43-44 years. If the trust fund “lock box” into which Social Security payments are supposed to be deposited actually existed, Social Security payments could be paid with the interest earned on that money alone, using a moderate interest averaging 3 or 4 percent. The problem is the “lock box” doesn’t exist. The funds have been used for the general fund, for paying politicians and their benefit packages.

We need to tell the politicians to stop lying to the public about the real problem with Social Security and Medicare. Medicare recipients are not responsible for the skyrocketing medical care costs. If the trust fund “lock box” actually existed there would be no funding problem. Pay back the money borrowed from the Social Security trust fund with interest and the problem would be solved.

This is further proven by the Obama administration reducing the amount of tax paid by employees and employers and the proposal to extend the Social Security payments in lieu of cutting other wasteful programs to reduce the deficit. If Social Security is in such dire straits, why would they reduce the tax paid into the program? Simple: It’s a political move. The election is nearing.

ROGER E. KIDWELL SR.SFlbElizabeth City