Congress needs push to pass Social Security bills

Congress needs push to pass Social Security bills
EDITOR:
For the past 10 years I have earnestly worked to get the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) of Social Security changed for public employee retirees in Ohio and other states where it is instituted. The fight goes on.
These laws reduce Social Security by two-thirds for public employees who draw a public pension whether as a teacher, school secretary, county/state road worker, postal worker, etc. Members of Congress who are also public employees are not affected. These laws are very unfair and discriminatory -- especially to women. Your help is needed.
Three key bills need to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee and onto the floor for a vote. HR 664 with 293 cosponsors that exempts the first $1,200 from GPO; HR 1073 with 228 cosponsors that exempts the first $2,000 from WEP and HR 2638 with 160 cosponsors to repeal totally the GPO and WEP. Congress is made up of 435 members. The numbers are there -- these bills should be moved on to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration.
Rep. E. Clay Shaw, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Social Security, is the congressman holding these bills from the House floor. Congressman Shaw submitted on March 20, 2002, a bill that grants some seniors and disabled an increase in their Social Security. It was passed in just two months and 21/2 hours. We can't get Congressman Shaw to even consider our cause.
This is an election year and the Democrats want to retake the House of Representative and Republicans want to retain their majority. The outcome of Congressional elections could be based on an issue such as the support bills to repeal the GPO and WEP. Write to Congressman Shaw and other members of the House of Representatives and let them know your feelings on this important issue. Time is of the essence. Do it today. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., 20515. Send letters to Reps. E. Clay Shaw. Thomas C. Sawyer and Ted Strickland.
MARY LEWIS
Warren
Non smokers must learn: smokers have rights too
EDITOR:
I am responding to a recent letter on smoking. I think it's time to stand up for smokers. I am really tired of hearing about nonsmokers' rights. What about smokers' rights.
Smokers must go outside or stay in hidden corners, and for the most part they do this without complaint. Most smokers are very conscious of where they are and are courteous to the people around them who don't smoke.
The last time I checked, I was still living in America, and I still had the same rights as the writer. After reading her letter, I can only conclude that because I smoke I have no rights.
I am not sure where the "nonsmoker" is going that she has to deal with "smoke-infested environments," but most places have sections for both groups of people. I have even heard of places that are completely nonsmoking.
She mentions quitting smoking to save money and to live a healthier and longer life. But what about the man who was considered to be one of the healthiest men in America, but he had a heart attack in his 50s? Everyone is going to die someday from something.
As for impinging on her rights and her "shortened life expectancy, & quot; you can step out of your home and breathe in a million different things that can cause disease. If she drives a car, what does she think comes out of its exhaust -- clean air?
As far as the tax goes, I do believe smokers were discriminated against. If everyone were to quit smoking, who would pay all of these extra taxes? I don't believe the writer would be happy to pick up the slack. Would she be willing to pay extra taxes to drive her car? A percentage of the tax already paid by smokers goes to health reform and educational campaigns.
I am simply appalled that she has the audacity to believe that she is a better person than I because she is a nonsmoker and I am a smoker.
I simply think it's time for smokers to band together and fight for their God-given rights to lead their lives as they wish, without comments from people who clearly have nothing better to do than to complain about something that may or may not affect them.
DAWN E. WAINWRIGHT
New Middletown