Letters to the Editor - Jan. 13

January 12, 2011

Social Security should not be a risky scheme

To the editor:

Franklin D. Roosevelt created Social Security as a retirement insurance program, not a risky scheme.

In the 112th Congress, the drive to privatize will be more dangerous than ever before. It will dismantle Social Security. Congress keeps draining the trust funds.

The election brought in new leaders, and many budget cutters have targeted our Social Security benefits. They need to stop raiding the trust funds and not let them privatize Social Security.

To the U.S. senators and representatives — stop this now. Congress puts the Social Security trust fund in harm's way with its never-ending spending binge. It uses our money by financing unrelated programs and wasteful pet projects. Our benefits are at risk.

Already, some in Congress point at risky schemes to dismantle Social Security. The trust funds protect seniors against recession, federal deficits and Wall Street scandals. It is like oil and water — they don't mix.

We have a lot of IOUs that are promises to pay, but represent no real assets to repay the debt. We might see big tax hikes and benefit cuts.

Washington politicians have used our Social Security money as piggy banks for years. Now, they are looking to cut our monthly Social Security benefits. We've paid into Social Security for years and we deserve every penny we receive.

The Social Security Administration needs to apply the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment over the next two years to allow every Social Security recipient to pay our monthly bills.

Anna Lee Burker

Sharpsburg

People should stop moaning about gas prices

To the editor:

This letter concerns some motorists who are starting to complain about the price of gas going up for them to put into their fuel-guzzling vehicles such as Humvees, etc.

I feel if people want to purchase these kind of vehicles, then you shouldn't mind the price. The same goes for anything we consume a lot of such as food, alcohol, etc.

People are in business to make a living, not be a charity. Regardless of how high the price gets, motorists will pay the price unless you get a scooter or bicycle that is cheaper on fuel. They do make gas-powered bicycles now.

Russell "Pete" Seville

Greencastle, Pa.

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