Seniors have been contributing all along

 

As a senior citizen, I must respond to Lewis Lehe's Jan. 17 letter ("Seniors Must Share in the Burden of Their Choices"). He offers the premise that sacrifice should be required of all seniors, as he states: "It would be theft for older Americans to demand sacrifices" of others without offering anything themselves. I have contributed to the Social Security Trust for 47 years. Am I wrong for wanting my money back?

Second, there would be money in said trust if the U.S. government stopped egregiously borrowing more than $180 million a year for other uses.

Supplementation insurance is a monthly item in my budget because Medicare pays a pitiful amount toward medical expenses and its drug program has high copays and drug formulary limits. So this entitlement means nothing.

As for Medicaid, it fits a definite need because our economy is in shambles and too many people are poor. A country that doesn't take care of its weakest members is an abomination. Every industrial nation provides medical coverage for its citizens except us.

I'm confident solutions can be found without raising taxes. President Barack Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope," offers workable answers.

PAT MILBURN
Castle Shannon