I have worked for over 60 years and contributed to the Social Security programs for as long as I can remember and continue to pay into Medicare Part B.

As originally promoted by our government as a retirement insurance program, our government has used the income like a piggy bank for many socialistic and General Fund programs. Now Congress is discussing elimination of annual payments to retirees with some unknown exceptions.

I am a typical retired (2005) person depending on SS income. Here are some historic facts:

After deductions the monthly amount due is supposed to be adjusted to reflect changes in the Cost of Living (COL) index. From 2005 to 2008 — the Bush years —  the monthly amount was increased at a rate of 2.3 percent per year. Then, from 2009 to 2013 — the Obama years — the monthly amount was increased at a rate of .508 percent per year (less than 1 percent per year). In the years 2010 and 2011 the change was zero percent per year.

Now our government is talking about zero percent per year, no adjustment, ignoring the fact that we all experience actual cost of living increases.

All this time politicians promise to help and protect the elderly, and organizations like the AARP are too busy selling insurance policies to know what is happening.

How many people collecting SS actually paid into the program? Our socialistic government uses the SS funds in inappropriate ways to gain favor with minority and other voting groups.

Enough is enough.

William Mahoney Bethel