Social Security entitlement

Regarding “Fix the Debt’s special interests,” [News, Jan. 10]: As a counterpoint to the relentless beat of those who want everyone to share in the pain of lowering U.S. debt levels, it would be useful to take a moment to ponder the difference between the “shared sacrifice” endured by a CEO making $345,000 annually and that endured by a Social Security recipient whose annual payments hover around $16,000.

And then, it would be useful to remember that the Social Security recipient or another family member has been contributing to the Social Security insurance fund for years, and since that money is her own, she is indeed entitled to receive it.

--Marcia Stedman, Bothell

Fix the Debt does not support seniors

Thank you for the article about the group Fix the Debt. What is clear is that they have a seat at the table to lobby the White House for corporate and moneyed interests and no apparent equal time for seniors who would be drastically affected by measures such as the Chained Consumer Price Index.

This is a way to reduce the annual cost-of-living increases to those on Social Security, veterans and others, which over time would be very damaging due to the compounding effect. Also, the CPI would have the effect of pushing people into the next higher tax bracket ($30,000-$40,000 the most, $20,000-$30,000 close second).

So those who are members of the Greatest Generation (my father and maybe your uncle) and of other conflicts since, who laid their lives on the line and did not have the advantage of 401(k)s and IRAs, will be hurt the most. This is unconscionable, there are other ways to keep Social Security solvent.

--Christine Wheeler, Edmonds