The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

The word "entitlements" is being turned into a dirty word, mostly by the conservatives. What are entitlements? Something you are entitled to! I have earned my entitlement of Social Security, through lifelong contributions to the trust fund, being managed by our government. Our government has dipped into this trust fund to the tune of owing it $5,000,000,000 (I think that’s the amount of zeros?).

For those of us now collecting on our savings, our government has changed the name of our withdrawals. Our Social Security check will now say: “Federal Benefit Payment.” I personally think this is wrong!

This country has a deficit, which neither party wants to cut, but both parties are willing to control, much to the country’s detriment. The conservatives keep pointing to China debt. This is a scapegoat or fear mongering. China holds less than 8 percent of our debt, most of our debt is owed to us, most in treasuries owned by domestic and foreign entities. When you see a chart where our country spends its money, it is a fallacy to add SS, as that is to pay back the money borrowed from our trust fund.

This country is giving aid to the whole world while we are going bankrupt. Our war machine must be fed at all cost? When will we say enough war? We simply can not sustain a world police force. We spend so much more on war and weapons than any other country. Calling it defense spending. How much can really be considered defense? We are guarding borders all over the world but our own.

My next proposal will not go well with any government workers. Let any and all be dependent on SS and Medicare. Any retirement benefits beyond that, save/invest as you can, as if you were self employed, thus lessening our entitlements. Starting with our politicians that seem to get very fat from congressional and senatorial positions. I was able to get comfortable, living within my means, paying off home, before taking my earned withdrawals from Social Security. So when you talk about entitlements, consider who is entitled to what.

Thanks for reading.

Poul Toftemark

Rosburg