Ray Hanania
Seniors need to stand up against selfish pols
.
By Ray Hanania
Buried in a lot of the news over the past few weeks was the announcement that Social Security recipients will see a 20% cut in monthly payments by 2034, predicting the Social Security trust fund will “run out” by 2035.
That’s only 12 years away. What is being done? Nothing.
For those still working, government takes Social Security payments of 6.2% from every paycheck.
What’s happening to that money? Government is absorbing it through expenses, shortfalls and sifting of funds to cover other things like massive salaries for members of Congress, increases pushed by politicians with large, low-income populations to give away money.
Our national politicians only care about one thing: to get re-elected. They depend on senior citizen voters, and yet they do the least for senior citizens. They need seniors so they can stay in office and enjoy huge salaries, massive benefits, and opportunities to profit from their clout in business and investments.
How does Nancy Pelosi go from a modest income family with a degree in Political Science in 1962 and a candidate in 1987 when she was first elected to Congress? Her family had some money, but today she is worth more than $117 million–most of that revenue coming since becoming Speaker of the House.
She’s not the only politician who has turned your vote support into massive profits for themselves. Look at all of them. The Trumps, Clintons, Bushes and Obamas. They hate each other in public over political ideology, but they share one thing: putting themselves above everyone else.
Politicians who need your vote, especially the vote of the seniors (who have a higher vote rate than most other groups in the country), are not wasting their time trying to protect your lifetime investments in Social Security.
There is no reason why the Social Security pension fund should evaporate in 2035 when government and union pensions approved by government and politicians will continue to grow and increase the burden on the American people.
I don’t want to see these union members or pensioners lose their money. What I want to see is the politicians pay as much or more attention on this impending crisis facing America’s senior citizens.
There is only one way to force the national politicians to take the Social Security problem seriously. You have to vote against them. You need to make them feel the pain. You need to vote in a way that throws the political game board into the air to disrupt this faulty political system that exploits you, over-taxes you, profits from your suffering and focuses only on rewarding their cronies and allies.
A lot of seniors will find themselves on the streets, eating dog food if Social Security shuts down.
The answer isn’t to come up with a new system. The answer is to recommit this country to a system that has worked for nearly 90 years.
They increase taxes on everything, except benefits for senior citizens. They will increase sales taxes, property taxes, income taxes and impose all kinds of fees on public services. Look at the symbolism of the massive increases that have hit the costs of annual license plate renewals, increasing nearly 50% in the past few years.
Government pension payments continue to increase because government always takes care of its own.
You are bombarded by tax increases and money being taken out of your income and wages. But, for some reason, you won’t see money increase to prevent the collapse of Social Security. Why? Because very few politicians retire on Social Security. They don’t need it, profiting in so many other ways.
There is a way to prevent the collapse of Social Security, but senior citizens need to stand up and fight. They need to push back against politicians, and stop giving their vote to people who say they support them but don’t. They have to end their “party loyalty” and instead support candidates who make Social Security their “Number One” priority.
Someone needs to start caring for senior citizens, instead of viewing them as a constituency with a short lifespan. We need to change the system.
Seniors should get completely free medical care.
The government should allocate more money to fully fund the Social Security trust fund.
The federal government should end the taxation of all Social Security benefits for seniors who continue to work and earn combined wages and Social Security under $150,000 a year.
Government needs to put an affordable ceiling on prescription drugs for individuals 65 years of age or older.
You, seniors, have the power to make this happen. But you have to stop giving away your vote.
Ray Hanania is a former Chicago City Hall reporter and award-winning columnist. Visit hanania.com for more commentary.
Local News
Orland Park Library collecting candy wrappers
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Candy has taken on a whole new life at one local library. The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is happy to announce the launch of its very first Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling campaign. The Trash or Treasure program helps reduce the waste that…
Hickory Hills adds new police officer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Hickory Hills Police Chief Jason Bray welcomed Andre Showers as the city’s newest police officer during last week’s city council meeting. Aldermen and the community at the April 11 meeting helped celebrate the induction of the Showers, 21. He’s an Army veteran and a 2023 Cook County Correctional Camp graduate…
Marist celebrates cultural diversity
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Marist High School appreciates the wide array of culture that walks its campus hallways on a daily basis. In order to celebrate, the high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture on March 14. During the free event, students, faculty and staff represented their…
Palos Heights Knights of Columbus donate to GiGi’s Playhouse
Spread the loveGrand Knight John Laskey and Past Grand Knight Brian Mellenthin of St. Theodore Guerin Knights of Columbus Council 14057 presented a check for $1,500 to GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, one of several donations to local groups resulting from the Knights of Columbus’ Fall Tootsie Roll Drive. One of the most recognizable activities…
Worth police join task force to combat auto thefts
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An agreement has been reached between the villages of Worth and Thornton regarding participation in the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force. Worth Police Chief Tim Denton said the approval of the memorandum to participate in the task force is necessary. “It’s no secret that there has been an increase…
A simple idea for Earth Day
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Moving right along through April, as the days get longer and nicer, time will start to go by faster. We have Earth Day on April 22 and the start of Passover at sunset.…
Bingo at St. Clare was something to yell about
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Recently I mentioned a bingo fundraiser the Augustinian Young Adults of St. Rita of Cascia Parish were holding. This was their first attempt at a bingo and they put on a really nice event. Held…
One thing is certain: life goes on
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I get a lot of calls from residents who are discouraged about our neighborhood. There are so many car accidents, shootings and violent crimes being committed in West Lawn and surrounding areas. It certainly is challenging to stay hopeful and positive. Here is a paragraph…
Biz groups battle over names, logos
Spread the love. UBAM, MCC trade barbs . By Dermot Connolly and Tim Hadac The leader of one Midway-area business association is accusing the other of bad faith, and the leader of the other is scratching her head over the dustup. United Business Association of Midway Executive Director Anita Cummings recently claimed that a rival…
Neighbors
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…