Odd definition of 'entitlement'
Those of us who depend upon Social Security for at least a portion of our retirement income are justifiably irate about the cavalier attitude of our congressional members when Social Security is discussed. Most of us are aware that enormous sums from our Trust Fund have been siphoned off by Congress for many years, to subsidize the day-to-day squandering of the government. These funds should have been securely locked away, rather than being vulnerable to plundering by those who hanker for some pork to ship home to their districts to keep their constituents benumbed and ignorant.
Think about this, for instance: Not only did you and I contribute to Social Security, but our employers did, too. The payments totaled 15 percent of your income before taxes. If your yearly income averaged only $30,000 during your working life, that is still close to $220,000. Be aware that the government didn't contribute a single penny to this sum! Thanks to Franklin Roosevelt, we consigned this money to ensure that you and I would have a retirement check from our investment.
Why is it, then, that Republicans circulate gibberish about cutting Social Security, when the money is not theirs to cut? They have the unmitigated gall to call those payments "entitlements," as though they were a bone tossed to the public from our masters' largesse. If you worked 40-plus years, as many of us did, and received only 5 percent interest on your money, you should have an income of over $20,000 per year. That's not the case for many retirees.
What about all the people who died before they collected their first Social Security payment? Their numbers are legion. The price of pork has certainly gone up!
Judy F. Brouillette
Columbus
Exact numbers
In the December 18 Columbus L-E, there was an ad required, I might add, or otherwise it would not have been published for public scrutiny, recapping the 2003 and 2009 SPLOSTs. What got my attention pretty fast was that projects, though not funded by anticipated sales tax revenues, are still ongoing, and on the books. Excuse me, but plans are plans, and if the MCSD cannot be accurate in planning project costs, those projects that can't be completed under the contract (via ballot) with the taxpayers need to be scrapped, and if any are still pertinent at the end of the revenue producing time frame, be included in any subsequent SPLOST proposals, not just dragged along and be funded by revenues intended for new projects.
Hal Kirven
Columbus
Carter betrayed us
President Carter's cancer-free status is joyful news. That said, upon learning of his cancer, I was disgusted to hear that his greatest regret was not sending one more helicopter to rescue the American hostages in Iran, because it would have allowed him to be re-elected. His regret should be that he sent soldiers to die in order to be re-elected. It is a shameful moment in presidential history.
President Carter could have rallied our country to war as the Iranians invaded U.S. territory (our embassy) and took our countrymen hostage, To his shame or credit, he chose a peaceful path that made our country appear weak, but certainly saved many lives. Yet, as we approached his potential re-election, he sent our soldiers on a mission for purely selfish political gain. From the moment it happened I faulted him for risking lives for political prosperity, but never expected to hear him admit to this fact. He deserves universal condemnation for this egregious decision. As Commander-In-Chief, we expected him to put the safety and needs of our people ahead of his own ego. Sadly, our trust was betrayed.
Jonathan Liss
Columbus
Defense support
I would like to thank the Georgia Congressional delegation for its strong support of the U.S. Air Force program to recapitalize the Air Force's JSTARS fleet, which is based at Robins Air Force Base. Sen. Johnny Isakson led a group of 13 senators in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter requesting that funding for JST ARS be protected in the 201 7 budget request. Sen. David Perdue recently gave an insightful floor speech on the aging of the JSTARS fleet and the tremendous importance of recapitalizing this effort. Georgia's House delegation, including Congressmen Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) and Sanford Bishop (GA-02), requested that the Air Force reconsider its lengthy acquisition strategy,
shorten the development phase and enter into JST ARS production sooner.
Gulfstream, in a joint effort with Northrop Grumman, is one of three teams competing for the new JSTARS program. The Pentagon recently approved the next step in the competition to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of JSTARS airplanes. The approval of what's known as Milestone A clears the way for funding demonstrations of the potential new aircraft.
The approval of Milestone A means a great deal to the nation, the companies competing to supply aircraft for the program and the communities where these aircraft will be manufactured and outfitted.
It's clear state leaders understand the importance of this replacement effort to help ensure the security of our nation, protect our men and women in uniform and create economic development opportunities for the communities where our employees live and work. And for that, I thank them.
Mark L. Burns
President, Gulfstream Aerospace
In my heart always
In February 2015 health issues and aging (86) necessitated my leaving Columbus to be near my family. How I miss MCSD, the Genealogy Dept. at the library, DAR, SAR, St. Luke and St. Mark U.M. churches and the wider community. You will always remain an integral part of my life. Best wishes for a blessed Christmas season. In friendship and love.
Mary B. Thompson
Commerce, Ga.
This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Odd definition of 'entitlement' ."