<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p><p>The reason for this letter is to ask you to make the public aware of what is taking place to the elderly who depend on Social Security.</p><p>We were educators when there were no unions or pension plans.</p><p>We were ordinary people that worked in hospitals and nursing homes. We were medical secretaries, nurse aides, social workers, cooks and dishwashers.</p><p>When mental hospitals closed, group homes were built to teach adults with disabilities basic living skills.</p><p>A lot of people worked in the fast food industry and in sit-down restaurants. They were cooks, bus boys, dishwashers and waiters. </p><p>We mourned the death of spouses and loved ones. We lived through the flood and lost everything we owned.</p><p>When we worked, we paid our taxes. We did not know that when we started getting Social Security benefits we had to pay medicare again.</p><p>Here is what is happening:</p><p>2015: Social Security benefits up 1.7 percent.</p><p>2016: No increases</p><p>2017: Social Security remained the same while Medicare took .3 percent.</p><p>2018: No change in Social Security while Medicare took 2.04 percent.</p><p>2019: Rumor says that there may be an increase, but expect Medicare to take all of it.</p><p>Four years with no increase in Social Security.</p><p>America, remember to take care of those who cared for you.</p><p><p><strong>Julia Rynerson</strong></p><p><p><strong>Franklin</strong></p>
