Commentary

PRESIDENTIAL RACE WRONG

There has been much debate over corruption in the 2020 presidential election. No forensic evidence of wrong doing was produced and those charges were snuffed. It was only a short time to prove this and recently things are coming to light. Bill O’Reilly recently prophesied some evidence. I will repeat from his article.

Corruption in precincts like Detroit, Atlanta and Philadelphia is not exactly unheard of, and we all know that. Recently hard evidence has been brought to the surface. Frightening example occurred in the Silicon Valley, California. The face book chief, Mark Zuckerberg, lives there. He took a large financial interest in the Trump/Biden race to the tune of $420 million dollars. It was very important to him that Biden win.

Ask Rusty – Is Taxing Social Security Fair?

Dear Rusty: Taxing Social Security benefits isn’t fair. It would benefit everyone if seniors could earn as much as possible without having their Social Security taxed. We would still be paying into Social Security which would help the fund. I also feel that all people earning over $100,000 should pay into Social Security because they can afford it. This would help fund Social Security without hurting anyone financially. Many seniors are struggling financially and should be able to earn as much as we can without a portion of our Social Security being taxed. Signed: Overtaxed Senior

“Twenty-first century seniors live longer, healthier and more active lives. Sure, you’ll find some older folks who might prefer to sit out their senior years. But, for the most part, the elders among us -- and there are a lot of them -- choose ‘not to go gently into that good night,’ as poet Dylan Thomas put it,” says Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].

The Census Bureau reports that when they conducted their 2010 head count the oldest Baby Boomer -- the first of whom were born in 1946 -- was not even 65 years old yet. But since then, a staggering 10,000 of them have been celebrating their 65th birthdays each and every day and the “gray tsunami” will continue for yet another decade.

They disguise the cost in so many ways. New vision and hearing benefits would kick in over the next two years and would cost about $20 billion a year. Democrats are delaying this phase-in of the much more expensive dental benefit to 2028, but later on the cost blows up much more. It goes on and on to so many that are disguised that we are going to get stuck for and our children and grandchildren are going to have to live with these costs and this will effect their future.

Don’t be fooled that this is just a tax on the rich. Just go to the grocery store or try to buy anything you wish. It is all going up. The middle class and the poor are going to suffer. They are even trying to expand Medicaid in a grand way. The extension would be on autopilot and Congress would be exempt from even having to appropriate money in the future.

Dear Rusty: I am planning to apply for Social Security in May of 2022 and would like to understand how to file. I will be taking it when I am 62. Signed: Ready to Retire

Dear Ready to Retire: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! You should apply for your Social Security benefits about 3 months before you wish benefits to begin (you will tell them the month you want benefits to start when you apply). Since you plan to apply at age 62, be aware that you must be 62 for an entire month to be eligible for benefits – you cannot get benefits for the month you turn 62 (unless you were born on the 1st or 2nd of the month). Rather you become eligible the following month.

According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we as a nation have seen a decrease over the past 15 years in the percentage of 12- to 20-year-olds who report any lifetime alcohol use: 56.2 percent in 2002 down to 41.0 percent in 2017. However, Sabine Parish has a way to go in this area.

The 2018 Caring Communities Youth Survey (CCYS) data reveals that Sabine Parish students reported the following for lifetime alcohol use: 6th grade 22.6%, 8th grade 48.8%, 10th grade 55.2% and 12th grade 53.8 %. For drinking in the past 30 days, 6th grade reported 9.2%, 8th grade 21.5%, 10th grade 37% and 12th 18%. Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks at one sitting. Sabine 6th graders reported binge drinking at 5.4%, 8th graders 16.1 %, 10th graders 26.1% and Seniors at 18.4%.

Dear Friend:

SPENDING PLANS RIDICULOUS

We must help our people escape poverty but not discourage their incentive to work and advance. Recently it was discovered that the $5 trillion spending bill would drive more than one million workers from the labor force.

BORDER PROBLEMS

If you thought there was a new low for President Joe Biden’s migrant problems, you were wrong. What has been shown that is going on at Del Rio, with the vast population living under bridges or outside, with some totaling as many as 15,000 trapped, with only basic necessities and some could be carrying Covid 19 is terrible. Border agents are overwhelmed.

Ask Rusty – Will My Social Security Be Reduced in the Future?

Dear Rusty: I started Social Security about 2 years ago and I thought that the monthly benefit amount stated to me by Social Security in their letter was guaranteed. That written amount was what I based my decision on to retire. Now I hear on the news that we may have to take a 24% reduction in the future. That will make me and millions of other seniors homeless. Was the original amount a guarantee of monthly income, and can the government reduce it whenever they want to? Signed: Anxious Senior