KLRU
People With Money Don't Understand How the Rest of Us Live
RECEIVED Mon., May 16, 2005
Dear Editor,
Somehow people who have inherited money and command large salaries cannot understand living on a very tight budget. They discuss private investment accounts as if everyone could afford to put thousands if not hundreds of thousands in these accounts.
The vast majority of working people are barely covering the cost of their living expenses. The idea of their being able to invest thousands of dollars in a retirement account is a mirage equal to their hope of winning the lottery.
It would take my entire lifetime of earnings for any percentage of my Social Security deductions to accumulate enough to earn more than a few pennies. Our congressional leaders don't seem to realize that we are not given vacations in exotic locations, nor are we treated to banquets and cars. We do not collect money to travel and advertise our virtues as we run for office.
We go to work each day cleaning your buildings, taking care of your lawns and gardens, teaching your children, selling you your luxuries, serving your meals, driving buses, trains, or planes, and trying to pay our bills with the small salaries we are paid.
Social Security has been our lifeline in our retirement years. Remove our lifeline and you will doom millions to destitution.
Somehow people who have inherited money and command large salaries cannot understand living on a very tight budget. They discuss private investment accounts as if everyone could afford to put thousands if not hundreds of thousands in these accounts.
The vast majority of working people are barely covering the cost of their living expenses. The idea of their being able to invest thousands of dollars in a retirement account is a mirage equal to their hope of winning the lottery.
It would take my entire lifetime of earnings for any percentage of my Social Security deductions to accumulate enough to earn more than a few pennies. Our congressional leaders don't seem to realize that we are not given vacations in exotic locations, nor are we treated to banquets and cars. We do not collect money to travel and advertise our virtues as we run for office.
We go to work each day cleaning your buildings, taking care of your lawns and gardens, teaching your children, selling you your luxuries, serving your meals, driving buses, trains, or planes, and trying to pay our bills with the small salaries we are paid.
Social Security has been our lifeline in our retirement years. Remove our lifeline and you will doom millions to destitution.
Barbara Hannon
San Marcos
San Marcos
