Dear Editor:

Many senior citizens that receive social security checks were told that the money that they paid in (when they were on the work force) would be a key component in their “golden years.” Social security is supposed to be tied to inflation. Inflation is an increase in prices on goods and services.

People on social security did not receive an increase for several years under this administration, which included 2016. Our government told us that there was no inflation or cost of living for the year 2015. It appears that they made their judgment on just one product. That one product was fuel or oil. How can inflation be down when it appears that the only product that went down during 2015 was fuel? Everything else appears to have increased.

Why didn’t they decided to base their decision on prescription drugs (which have skyrocketed in price)? Old people need medicine and when their checks don’t increase with prices, then they are forced to choose between food, medicine and other necessities of life.

I tried to name items that went down in price besides just fuel. Everything that people buy or pay for services had increased in value. Here are just a few: groceries, fast food, restaurants, household appliances, automobiles, taxes, tax preparation, candy, garden produce, bridge tolls, doctor bills, electric bills, water service, stamps, phone bills, rent, all home and appliance repairs, lumber, field dirt, tractors, farm implements, furniture, fertilizer, seed, vehicle tires, batteries, screws, nails, paint, light bulbs, garbage pickup and the list goes on and on.

Our current administration has failed the elderly. Obama is pushing for a 26-cent tax increase per gallon on fuel (reported on full measure, Ch. 3 on April 3, 2016). The elderly are already trying to decide what they can do without (food or prescription drugs) and President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton seem to be set on adding to their existing burden by adding this new tax on fuel.

Clinton has stated numerous times on television that she intents to continue Obama’s path or legacy.

Do you ever wonder where the money you paid into social security is going to? Recently, immigrants (that have not paid taxes) are signing up for social security benefits as they enter our country. This is one reason you are not receiving a cost of living increase. For several years, the government has been taking money out of social security for various projects that don’t have anything to do with social security.

Elderly voters and those approaching retirement years need to pay close attention to the proposed increase on social security (if any) that should be mailed out before the election.

The government has taxed us greatly while we were able to work, but now they have turned us out to fend for ourselves.

We still have one powerful tool and that is our vote. Don’t surrender, stand strong, vote against the “status quo.” If you are tired of being played, vote for a change.

Many believed if they saved a little and had a social security check coming in that their golden years would truly be great. Interest rates on saving accounts are for less than 1 percent (around 0.3 to 0.4 percent). I received a letter from my bank that stated that I could borrow up to $10,000 at 7.76 percent interest. This means that the banks are making more than 7 percent on our money while we only get 0.3 or 0.4 percent. Bernie Sanders was right about Wall Street and big banks. Wall Street recipients average around 11 percent per year and have for the past several years. If our government was concerned about the elderly, they would tie bank interest to Wall Street earning.

If you are hurting and are concerned about your future, then vote for a change from our present status quo. Clinton seems to want to continue down our present down hill decline. If you don’t like the way this administration has treated the elderly, vote for a change.

Clinton L. Chavers

7221 Circle Rd.

Walnut Hill, FL 32568

1-850-208-4738