From Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.):
While I am flattered that you wrote about my “nearly legendary” 50 years and two months in Congress in your March 1 Under the Dome column, I need to let you know that the statement is only “nearly correct.”

I was sworn into office on Dec. 13, 1955, by Speaker Sam Rayburn [D-Texas], a real legend and a mentor of mine when I was a young member. On Aug. 26, 2004, I proudly surpassed Speaker Rayburn’s tenure in office, becoming the fourth longest serving member of the House. However, I have yet to bypass the third longest serving member, Emanuel Celler [D-N.Y.], who served 49 years, 10 months and 13 days — although I plan to do so on Oct. 14 of this year. 

On Feb. 16, 2006, I also look forward to passing Carl Vinson’s [D-Ga.] tenure of 50 years, two months and 13 days to become the second longest serving member of the House. As you mention in your article, the late Jamie Whitten [D-Miss.] holds the record for service in the House with 53 years, two months and 13 days, and, while it would be a great honor to hold this record myself, ultimately I hope to be remembered not for the length of my tenure but instead for my effectiveness and accomplishments as a legislator.

Also referenced in the article was the fact that my late father, John Dingell Sr. [D-Mich.], was one of the architects of Social Security. This is absolutely true and continues to be a source of pride for me today. Dad stood behind President Roosevelt when he signed the Social Security law, and now I am standing behind the working men and women whom Social Security protects to preserve that law.  
Washington, D.C.

Understanding Social Security

From Keith Mauck:
Social Security doesn’t make sense to me. Even as a teenager earning $1,000 a summer, I wondered, “Why do I give FICA my money for 50 years of my life, only to get it back at marginal returns? Of course, that is if I live past 65 years. (Won’t I be too old to spend it?)”

Those among us making under $90,000 annually pay into the system to fund the Social Security checks of the retired. Counter to the beliefs of my grandparents, who are living in a nice retirement community in Florida, there is no “lock box” keeping their life-long contributions safe.

I don’t mind funding my grandparents’ retirement. I see it as a “time-share investment.” They move to Florida and I go mooch off them. It’s a cheap vacation.

My grandparents aren’t alone in their dependency on Social Security; half of all seniors rely upon it for the majority of their retirement income. It’s time to start equipping the citizenry to manage their retirement savings.

President Bush’s plan to include personal retirement accounts in the reform of Social Security will begin this financial empowerment. Borrowing, large tax increases and cutting benefits should be ruled out as answers. Each of these would stop a growing economy in its tracks. Personal accounts that would take the form of a 401(k) or individual retirement account are the most sensible.

If Congress can’t get this done soon, I’d be happy to donate all of my 16 years of FICA contributions to Social Security for an ability to opt out of the system. I’ll do this gladly, especially when I view my 2005 Social Security statement and realize I could have done better.
Cheasapeake, Va.

African-American voices on the radio

From Michael Beverly:
I am disturbed by the article about the biggest names in talk radio in Washington, D.C. (“D.C. mouths among 100 most important hosts”), in your March 1 Under the Dome column.

You overlooked one of the most influential, powerful and popular African-American voices in talk radio in the Washington, D.C. area and the country who is on the 2005 list compiled by Talkers Magazine, Joe Madison of WOL AM 1450, based in Lanham, Md. He is also nationally syndicated on the Power, XM radio Channel 169.

As a young African-American professional on Capitol Hill who reads your publication, this is frankly insulting. Joe Madison is one of only three African Americans on the magazine’s “Heavy Hundred” list. He is inspiring to all who listen to him and connects very often with African American members on Capitol Hill. 

Your insensitivity in overlooking such a key figure in talk radio and the African-American community coming off the heels of Black History Month makes this oversight all the more disturbing. I hope you will make note of this oversight in a future publication to the Capitol Hill community who reads your paper.
Washington, D.C.