Dear Editor:
The recent news that America’s 46 million Social Security recipients will receive only an average $13 per month increase in their benefits is outrageous. This 1.4 percent increase is the smallest in four years.
To add insult to injury, Medicare premiums are expected to rise by $4.70 next year.
Where are we going with this? How can people who worked hard all their lives expect to keep up with the continuously rising costs in medical care, prescriptions, food and housing? Many are going back to work and this is a shame, not only because they should be enjoying their “golden” years, but because the job market is tight as it is.
As the mayor of a distressed city, every day I see people in my office who cannot afford to live in our city and many of them are senior citizens. We have unbelievably long waiting lists for subsidized senior housing. I deliver bags of food to seniors who would not be eating otherwise. To our federal representatives, I can only say, it’s time to think about the people who built this nation, who fought in its wars, who contributed and continue to contribute to the Social Security fund and to your more-than-adequate salary. I refuse to believe we cannot find a way to help them.
Brian P. Stack
Mayor