Hands off Social Security

Social Security turns 90 this month and Medicare and Medicaid turned 60.

These programs embody the best of America's values — economic, financial, and health, security and dignity. For older Americans and individuals with disabilities, they ensure access to necessities like groceries, housing and medical care.

Trump and MAGA promised not to touch Medicare and Medicaid but broke this promise when they passed the Big Ugly Billionaire Tax Cut Bill. Seeking savings to cover the explosive cost and debt of the Big Billionaire Bill, Rep. Hinson, Sen. Ernst, Sen. Grassley and all Republicans voted to cut $1 trillion Medicaid spending and $500 billion Medicare spending. Now, their target is Social Security. Trump and Elon Musk have already weakened Social Security by slashing the SSA workforce, shutting down offices, cutting phone services resulting in multiple website crashes, hours of wait time, and difficulty filing claims. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently said the Trump accounts created by the Republican budget bill are a "backdoor for privatizing Social Security." Clearly, Trump and MAGA cannot be trusted.

People paid into Social Security their entire working lives. This is their money, a guaranteed earned benefit. To prevent the catastrophe of privatizing Social Security, let's join together with one voice telling our elected representatives “Hands Off Social Security.” Then vote Ashley Hinson and Joni Ernst out of office for breaking promises and failing to represent us.

Karen Pratte

Waterville