The least we can do for seniors

<p>I was shocked to read Ellen Goodman’s Oct. 23 column (“Do retirees really deserve an extra $250") in which she disagreed with the $250 proposed payment to Social Security recipients. She says, “What are we asking of them? To be nothing but passive recipients of entitlement? Is their only social responsibility to remain financially independent of their children?”</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The problem as I see it is that there are too many people like Goodman who would just as soon see an 80-year-old woman working at the grocery store.</p><p>I’m appalled that she doesn’t think that the people who have worked their whole lives, contributed time and invested hundreds of thousands of their hard-earned dollars into our communities, are worth a mere $250.</p><p>Are our elders valued so little in our society? I truly hope not.</p><p>I don’t know if things are less expensive in Boston, but I think she would have a hard time convincing anyone in California that the actual cost of living has decreased. Therefore no increase in social security is a very big deal.</p><p>I’d like Goodman to suppose her monthly income was $850 from Social Security. After paying her rent, she still has to pay for utilities, health care, prescription drug co-payments and food. Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits have been steadily decreasing, so a prescription drug that had a co-payment of $20 last year is now more than tripled. She’d lose your car because she can’t afford insurance or gas.</p><p>Maybe an extra $20 a month (the $250 proposed payment divided by 12) doesn’t mean anything other than a few lattes at Starbucks to Goodman. To a senior citizen living on a fixed income, it can buy a needed prescription drug or a co-payment for a doctor’s visit.</p><p>When my dad died at the age of 80, he left behind his 66-year old wife. Despite the fact that he worked 31 years for a water district, when he died his wife lost his retirement and health benefits. Her only source of income continues to be Social Security. Thankfully, she has the assistance of her family to help her get by, but many seniors do not. One illness in the family or the death of a spouse can turn a senior’s life upside down. And Goodman doesn’t think giving them a measly $250 payment (in lieu of a Social Security increase) is warranted.</p><p>I believe every senior deserves this payment or an increase in Social Security. They already have so little and have lost so much. They’ve helped build this country and this community. Seniors deserve our respect and support.</p><p><i>Mary Stompe is executive director of Petaluma Ecumenical Properties Housing in Petaluma.</i></p>