When President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted Social Security legislation to provide some retirement security to the elderly, the law mandated that working people would have a small percentage of their income withheld. Their employee would match that amount, and the monies would be sent to the federal government to be paid back to the retiree in the future.
Trump is proposing stopping those Social Security withdrawals with his proposed “payroll tax prohibition.” He does not mention where the money is to come from to fund a program that for nearly 100 years has helped the elderly with their expenses.
For years, the GOP has talked about ending Social Security. Now, Trump is putting in place the first step to killing a successful, but not perfect, program to help the elderly.
Everyone over 55 years of age should organize opposition to this sinister step. Make good trouble for your elected officials. Call U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin’s office and ask him how he stands on this issue.
Marlene Haresign
Water Mill
Flag LegendsI was surprised to find out that the Betsy Ross flag is not an official flag of the United States. The case for the Betsy Ross flag’s legitimacy is one of inter-meshing legends — and it begins in Bridgehampton. Bridgehampton...
Insult to InjuryEnvironmentally minded Southampton residents should be concerned that “Madison Ave. Capital Partners” is asking the Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals for permission to build a long, elevated catwalk or dock across tidal wetlands at 1323 Meadow Lane — presented...
No Good DeedThe Lake Agawam Conservancy has no interest in being enmeshed in village politics or the next mayoral election. Sadly, the village’s and the conservancy’s joint Gin Lane wetlands restoration project, which should be a cause for civic celebration, is now...
MAGA's EndIt would seem that Ed Surgan was somewhat taken aback by the dazzling array of letters from his neighbors castigating his views on the current administration, his acceptance of the methods being used to deport immigrants, and his need to...
The Real TDSYes, Virginia, there is a “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” You need only peruse the episodic incidents in print of Ed Surgan to verify and isolate its local outbreak [“Worthy of Debate,” Letters, December 4]. To be clear, Virginia, you need not...
Many ThanksOn December 3, the Hampton Bays Beautification Association celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Holiday Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at Oakland’s Restaurant in Hampton Bays. Special thanks to Chairpersons Grace Daly and Madeline O’Keefe for arranging a lovely event. Congratulations...
Changing TidesAlthough my elected position as Southampton Town Trustee has not officially started, I have already jumped in feet first. In my short time visiting the Trustees’ office, my observations of the environment have been of confidence, encouragement, optimism and poise,...
Lawn MadnessYes, we have a nitrogen problem in our waterways that is devastating the ecosystem we all depend on [“The Nitrogen Threat,” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, December 4]. Blame it on farmers, blame it on food, when farmers add less nitrogen to...
