Congressional retirees can look forward to golden years

Congressional retirees can look forward to golden years
EDITOR:
A recent Vindicator letter writer from Campbell was absolutely correct in his analysis regarding the self-serving, over priced, outrageous retirement and full health care plans our elected United States Senate and House have given "free" to themselves, wives and families.
U.S. Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich have flashy Websites stating something like: "Here you will find information on how I can be of service and assist you in solving problems with federal programs and agencies." However, neither Website mentions the fact that if you have a question or complaint concerning Social Security, they will not reply or acknowledge your letters, faxes or e-mails. Perhaps they feel subconscious pangs of guilt over the disparity between their personal plan choices and the ones they have enacted into law for the average worker in America.
To his credit, U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland responded to my wife's dilemma, but his is a single voice and vote in the shadowy, wheeler-dealer halls of Washington, D.C.
The following is a synopsis of the letters of protest, faxes and e-mails my wife and I sent to many of our area's federal elected officials.
"I began working under Social Security in 1957. After high school graduation in 1959, I became a full time working nurse in 1962. I worked steadily during the next two decades in hospitals and doctor's offices. Although I switched full-time to a local school district in 1978 and paid into a separate state retirement program during the following 26 years, I still paid into the Social Security program on into the third decade while working summers and weekends at a local steel factory and a state maximum security prison in Warren.
"When I recently applied for Social Security benefits beginning in 2004 in Youngstown, after 46 years of hard work, I was told that if I never worked outside the home, I would be entitled to about $550 per month from my husband's Social Security. If they used the figures I had paid into S.S. over the years, I would be entitled to about $355 per month. Then the clerk dropped the bomb. Since I would be earning nearly $800 per month (before paying taxes) from my state retirement program, my total Social Security would now be reduced to $149 per month upon my retirement."
Quite sadly in 2003 America, our greedy elected lawmakers seem willing to stack the deck and pirate a few dollars from millions of hard working, eligible Social Security taxpayers like my wife and spread it out among themselves.
DAVID METZLER
North Jackson
As holiday season begins,support local stores, eateries
EDITOR:
As I drive past the cement monstrosity being erected on South Avenue in Boardman, replacing the lush trees and rich diversity of greenspace once there, I realize the importance of putting our spending dollars into locally owned and operated retailers and restaurants this holiday season. In the final analysis, there isn't a single gift item that I can't get from the local jeweler, gift shop, Christian store, candy shop and other establishments where the owners are investing their time and talent in serving our community.
When I spend in establishments, I am supporting local, solid employment and investment that helps our tax base and community. Compare that commitment with the often low-paying, benefit lacking and insecure jobs of the out-of-town chains. Locally owned retailers and restaurants offer home-style service, an excellent and relaxing atmosphere, and make me feel proud that they are serving our community, not a CEO and a board of trustees located 1,000 miles away who couldn't even find Youngstown on a map.
So this holiday season, take in a live performance downtown or in our wonderful community theaters, eat at a local restaurant, and spend your gift-buying dollars in one of our many locally owned stores. You will be supporting our local economy and making our community a better place to live.
JIM PETUCH
Youngstown