I hope that this year's Grandparents Day can inspire all generations to work together to preserve Social Security. Today Social Security is truly an intergenerational program, it helps workers who have become disabled and children who have lost a parent - just think of Sept. 11.

I believe younger people have been brainwashed by politicians and the media to believe that Social Security is going bankrupt and contributes to the deficit. The facts are: Social Security has not added a penny to the deficit. It is fully paid by worker and employer payroll taxes. The trustfund has a $2.7 trillion surplus. People should not criticize these modest Social Security benefits that retirees paid for during their working years. After all, it is our money.

If people think government spends too much, they should look at the tax breaks for big corportions, two long wars that were put on the nation's credit card,

As a retired teacher, my Social Security is $1,040. My husband, a disabled veteran, receives $1,508. If our Social Security is compromised, not only would we be unable to keep our home, but our granddaughter, her husband and two kids would also be homeless.

Jean Savidge

Blaine