Government not listening to Americans

Sen. Tom Harkin's Jan. 10 guest column in The Gazette is a prime example of the problem with Washington: They are not listening to Americans.

Mr. Harkin's article states, “We can learn one final – and hopeful – lesson from the history of Social Security and Medicare. Those programs originally pitted Democrats against Republicans. But, today, they are hugely successful programs that enjoy overwhelming bipartisan support.”

To call Social Security and Medicare “hugely successful” programs is to call Enron a hugely successful energy company.

Both Social Security and Medicare trust funds are facing insolvency in the years 2041 and 2020, respectively. Medicare currently pays more in benefits than it receives in taxes. Past estimates have indicated a similar scenario for Social Security in seven years (2017). However, due to the failing economy and our current government's disinterest, Social Security's net loss threshold will occur much sooner.

I fail to understand the thought processes of most elected officials these days. Social Security and Medicare move headlong into bankruptcy. Unemployment is above 10 percent, and Congress responds by obsessing over health care plans. $787 billion was spent on an economic stimulus plan, and companies across the country, if not laying off, are cutting employee's salaries and benefits in order to stay afloat.

Come on Washington, get a clue. Do you honestly believe the pipe dreams you're chasing are what the American public want?

Ron Lessman

Cedar Rapids