Here's a letter I have just sent one of my Senators. The leaders of this classic example of the mob at work are Senator Sanders from Vermont and Congressman Pete DeFazio of Oregon. The official title of the legislation is The Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act (H.R. 3597 in the House, S. 1685 in the Senate). If you agree with the thoughts, send something similar to your Senators and Congressman - or, better yet, your newspaper.
Dear Senator Casey:
I understand you are a co-sponsor of legislation to provide a one-time payment of $250 to all Social Security recipients, since there will be no cost-of-living (COLA) increase for them this year. Your proposal would increase federal outlays by $14 billion.
I am one of those potential recipients. And I strongly oppose your proposal. The reason there is no COLA this year is because consumer prices have declined. When consumer prices increase, my Social Security check increases; but it doesn’t decrease if prices decline. That was the deal when Congress wrote COLA into the Social Security System in 1975. A lot of working people would say that’s pretty good deal – if they’re still working.
You argue that medical costs keep going up. But most Social Security recipients are on Medicare, which insulates them from the bulk of such cost increases.
My bus fare hasn’t gone up in years: I pay nothing, thanks to my senior pass.
You say you will make up the $14 billion in handouts by increasing Social Security taxes on the working rich. Sounds very familiar: robbing Peter at work to pay Paul at home.
Seniors have been insulated from economic hardship more than any other age group during this economic recession.
Senator, stop pandering to us.
Sincerely,
James B. Burnham
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