PUBLIC FORUM : SOCIAL SECURITY SOLUTION.

Re fixing Social Security.

For six years, President Clinton has been talking about fixing Social Security. Evidently, the president's White House staff of 1,800 henchmen and henchwomen and the federal agencies involved are too busy with other affairs. Let me help.

If not enough is collected in one year, raise the tax, decrease the benefits or decrease the number of beneficiaries the next year.

If too much is collected, reverse the above.

If the Social Security tax is too onerous, reduce it and supplement the program with personal income taxes. Never, as is being done now, collect more than necessary year after year.

- James H. Steger

Camarillo

Reagan's legacy tarnished

In response to ``Reagan's hope shines on,'' (Public Forum, Feb. 3) I think William M. Hamburg's optimism is misplaced. Has he forgotten that Reagan took an oath to uphold the Constitution but lied to us about ``arms for hostages.'' He subverted the very Constitution he swore to uphold. Has Mr. Hamburg also forgotten that Reagan's administration has a number of people indicted and convicted of criminal charges, including Attorney General Ed Meese.

I guess we ``uniformed'' just don't understand ethics. It has been widely accepted that Reagan was of only mediocre intelligence and the ``Great Communicator'' was only reading lines written by someone else, something he spent most of his life practicing in Hollywood, including his ``military service.''

The GOP is equally responsible for the current debacle, and I sincerely hope that the voting public does remember that ``character does count.'' It seems there is enough sleaze throughout the political system, and without real campaign reform we are destined to get what we deserve. The two-party system has no clear boundaries anymore. Maybe the victory of third party candidate Jesse Ventura in Minnesota is a ray of hope.

- Joe Goodchild

California City

Parking spaces for disabled

I have been wanting to express my views and opinions for some time now, on a matter that I feel is of importance, yet seemingly overlooked lately. The issue is that of persons parking in a handicapped area who are not authorized to do so.

I presume I am a lucky man, in that my handicap doesn't show outwardly. I am a diabetic heart patient, who has lost portions of my foot due to diabetic gangrene. You wouldn't believe the number of persons who make what I consider to be a moronic comment to me when I get out of my car that I have parked in space reserved for handicapped persons. I have a handicap placard and am entitled to park there, even though I don't use crutches or a wheelchair. That does not make me any less disabled.

Persons who park illegally in a space designated for handicapped persons are breaking the law.

People who say they will only be a minute or two at the post office, or they parked there because there were no other spots in the grocery store parking lot just don't cut it with me.

Unfortunately, it seems to be an area overlooked by the parking authorities and law enforcement personnel as well as the lawbreakers themselves.

I am finding myself becoming more vocal to those who park illegally because those in authority seem to think that it is such a minor offense they don't respond to the calls they may get and don't cite those who are violating the law.

The law is the law. Regardless of what others may think, if you break the law, you should pay the consequences - and the fine that may go with it.

Just because someone doesn't look disabled, doesn't mean they aren't. Show some respect to those of us who have the placard, and don't play judge and jury and question why we have it. It could have been you.

- Michael Dardenelle

Van Nuys

Drake failed justice

For the life of me I will never understand why the courts will battle against the truth coming out to convict someone of a crime. I saw it with O.J. Simpson, and I again saw it last week in the Ventura County courthouse in the killing of 17-year-old Leonard Copolla. Is it that the courts just don't want to extend all possibilities to the jurors for them to make the right decision at all times?

This court cannot define justice to me.

When this jury decided to acquit Ed Drake of all charges, I knew our judicial system once again failed. This crime was, at the very least, involuntary manslaughter, and even Drake knew that. On the day of his acquittal, he admitted himself that he was sure he would be convicted and serve time under that charge.

The jury foreman said they were never shown any evidence that would have implicated Drake as having a past with reckless behavior with a gun or a problem with drinking. He suggested to the press that they (the jurors) may have found the verdict differently if that had been presented.

Why was that evidence withheld? It was there, and Judge Riley knew it and did not allow it. He knows how guilty Drake is. What I do know is that Copolla was behind a locked chain-link fence, outside of the property, with permission to unlock it and retrieve his motorcycle trailer. He was by no means a threat to Drake. Where in the law does it state that you have the right to discharge your firearm if you are not threatened?

This judge and jury need to redefine what was right about this human behavior. Contrary to their beliefs, the average person would never have done the same.

May this group of 13 people suffer the same nightmares that Copolla's mother will sleep with for the rest of her life, trying to understand this injustice done to her son, who is missed by all of us.

- C. Haskell

Northridge

Granada Hills

President typical liar

Here is a known fact: A liar is never sorry until he is caught. Even children are this way. Once caught they are so sorry.

But in our White House, first he lies, then he is so sorry. He rushes to church and carries the Bible.

Remember a liar is a liar is a liar.

How can anyone trust a liar who can wave his finger at us all and look all in the eye and say ``I did not''? We don't care about his sexual escapades, but he lied.

- Gwen Wieben

West Hills