Letter: Seniors face loss of benefits

I hope Mike will argue just as strong a case for today's seniors when Republicans try to cut their benefits or maybe even abolish benefits for all those who do not fit their definition of poor (cutting off benefits above the poverty line would impoverish a couple making $15,000 a year, for instance) after they possibly take control of Congress and the presidency in 2000. It will be just as hard for today's seniors to lose $360 to $2,400 yearly as it was for the Notch Babies.

The reason I mention this is because even some conservative Democrats of Mike's ilk are advocating cutting the COLA drastically and privatizing part of the system (any privatization at all will require cutting current benefits).

Once again, I would like for anybody who advocates cutting off benefits for those above poverty level to try living on the average yearly benefit for a couple ($18,000) before they vote for such a move. I must say that no one has officially advocated such a policy but many Republicans are saying such privately.

Does anybody want to bet their benefits that George W. Bush doesn't entertain such thoughts or would at least sign a Tom DeLay bill to do such? I sure as hell don't and will vote for either Al Gore or Bill Bradley to prevent this from happening! "Compassionate conservative" is a classic oxymoron!

DAN OLIVIER

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