In the news this morning there is a report that millions of older people will face shrinking Social Security checks next year. This is the first time in a generation that payments will not increase. By law, Social Security benefits cannot go down. Nevertheless, monthly payments will drop for millions because of the premiums in the Medicare prescription drug program as they are scheduled to increase. These payments are often deducted from Social security payments. These pay increases or " cost of living adjustment" (COLA) are pegged to inflation which has been negative this year, largely due to energy prices being below that of 2008.
I understand even if I don't agree with the decision. The question arises though, will congress adhere to these same adjustments due to the economy? You see congress is the only group that gets not only to set their pay but can increase it without any rules as to job performance. It has been set up this way for years. Now, they don't even have to vote to get the pay increase. It comes automatically. They have to vote to keep it from happening. Last year both social security beneficiaries and congress got their COLA. This year Americans who have paid into Social Security for decades don't get the increase that many of them count on. Energy prices may have gone down but what about the cost of medical care that has gone up again. If anyone needs a raise it is these citizens. Can we expect congress in turn to say, " Ya know, we make enough money? The economy is in the tank, and inflation is down. We don't need a raise this year." No! Their money will come through just like it always does, to pay them for accomplishing nothing at all, while decent hard working Americans suffer.
I think we should tie these parasites to real Americans and get them back in touch with the people they represent. Let's set their pay based on what the average pay is in their state. Lets give them public housing and make them use their own cars and buy their own gas. I think it is time to reconnect our government of the people to the people. Let us make their successes and failures affect them.
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