An open letter to presidential candidates: I served my country in Korea. We were promised many benefits but have yet to receive what is due. Many have died, most have given up. Most of us are poor and getting poorer.

Senator Biden, a few weeks ago you were quick to authorize sending $2 billion in military aid to rebuild the Georgian army. In doing so, you dishonored our country because you knowingly broke the peace agreement that France got Russia and Georgia to sign. Along with George Bush, you recently signed a $50 billion giveaway bill to fight AIDS victims in Africa.

We are veterans of the war you forgot. But those of us who are still alive have not forgotten that you and Congress have put us off year after year. You easily find huge sums to fight the Russians who were responding to Georgians who attacked them. What hypocrisy!

As Dr. Kotzer pointed out, the Social Security fund is running a 14 percent surplus, yet you throw 2 or 3 percent like a dog to a bone. Yet you use it for foreign ventures. Have you no shame? How in the world can we trust what you say? During these next 2.5 months, you - Obama and McCain - have a chance to help the poor. Honor us by acting now and change the way you are behaving, to a way that will benefit not only us, but all American people and not foreign countries or mega-corporations. Stop robbing our Social Security fund. Save money by bringing our troops home. They cost over $1 million a year each to keep abroad. If you do, you can be assured of our vote.

Bob Hanley

Auburn