Tax dollars at work

Once more, the Social Security Administration spent time and money mailing me a four page letter detailing the fact that I haven’t worked enough to receive benefits. Except for selling Creative Memories in 2000-01, I haven’t had any taxable income since 1996. Do they think I didn’t notice that I work for free, and therefore have not paid taxes? Or perhaps I had forgotten in the twelve months since receiving last year’s nearly identical letter?

I can appreciate there may be individuals or circumstances where this information is needed. But if this letter is sent to all adults on an annual basis, it seems to be a waste of resources for an already top-heavy program. It doesn’t take an expert in demographics to recognize that our nation’s declining birthrate can’t indefinitely support the Social Security program as we know it.

D-Day

Because freedom isn’t free. . .

I choose life

As Election Day draws nearer, we are bombarded with political messages. I confess that I ignore most of it, having been taught that “If you can’t say anything nice. . ..” But I also find that I have become one of “those voters”: that is, a single issue voter. Some of you may assume that means that I am misguided and uninformed about the issues. That is partly true as I do not have time in this stage of life to understand every issue. However, if that one issue, that is life, is not supported, then nothing else matters. A culture that embraces death (whether the reason be age, handicap, gender, religion, nationality, or other inconvenience) is self-destructive, no matter how sound its economy or how strong its defense.

This week I came across an excellent article on this very issue by Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto. Go and read it, if you haven’t already. His depth of experience (a German residing permanently in the States) and clarity of expression make a much stronger case for life than my own humble words.

Always Remember