I am in my 70's, and as all children of Depression Era parents, I was expected to "learn about work" at an early age. I got my first job as an inventory clerk at the Lerner's store in Los Angeles at 14, by lying about my age. (I looked and acted a bit more mature than my contemporaries.) My salary was .65 cents (that's sixty-five cents) per hour. From that Social Security, taxes and Workman's Comp were deducted. My first pay check was $22 for two weeks work. I was so very proud!
My next jobs were as a waitress, where I worked for tips only. I paid my taxes and reported my earning. I got by, but just barely.
My next job was as the production manager at an envelope factory in Millington, Tennessee, where my husband was stationed for A school. My take home was $35.00 a week. I was, after all, a "girl" and didn't need as much money as "men with families to support".
In the 1960's things began to turn a bit. "Tips only" employment fell out of favor, and a salary of $1.85 an hour was common for service workers, teaching assistants, and lab techs.
When I began teaching at University I earned $18,000 a year.
When I retired from teaching I received a summary of my wages from the SS Administration. During my "most productive years" I earned a high salary of $43,000. For most of my working life I earned an average of $7,000 a year.
It is upon this princely sum that I am given Social Security checks each month. My checks are for the grand amount of $570.00 after Medicare (in the amount of $97 dollars and Part D Prescription Drugs in the amount of $35.00 is withheld).
I worked for 60 years. I was unemployed for only 3 of those years when my children were very young. For this, the promise of a secure retirement was made by the government as a form of "insurance".
I am now expected to live on $570.00 a month???
Have you been to the market this week?
Are you watching the price of gasoline crawl up the speculators ladder?
Can you imagine the fear and loathing I experienced when the Masters of the Universe destroyed my savings and investments with a flick of the finger?
Now they want to give those same greedy bastards a tax break, drive up the deficit, refuse to give me a $250 one time stipend, and call Social Security a "give away"?
...Just so you know what is truly at stake for millions of seniors.
Note: Don't worry, I inherited. That same family that pushed me into the work force at a tender age was affluent, and careful. But how many of my fellow 70's can claim such good fortune.
WE HAVE GOT TO FIGHT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, TO PROTECT THOSE WHO STARTED WORK AT A TIME WHEN THEIR WEEKLY INCOME WOULD NOT BUY A DECENT MEAL, TODAY.
Remember, Social Security is based on your earnings...