I quickly skim the letters to the editor according to author, and one writer repeatedly rants about President Biden and his administration, and harangues Democrats for their social agenda; but isn’t she also receiving and participating in what her coup-loving Republicans are now calling “entitlements,” which would include her Social Security and Medicare?
President Biden recently mentioned Social Security and Medicare in his State of the Union address; recall the incivility of the Republican members such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, who shouted, “Liar,” while others of the same party yelled, “No!” when those cuts were mentioned.
Who of the Republicans is calling for cuts to Social Security and Medicare?
1. Rick Scott, chairman of the GOP’s Senate campaign committee last cycle, planned to sunset all federal legislation, which includes Social Security and Medicare, in five years, opening the door for lapses or cuts.
2. Last August, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson suggested Medicare and Social Security should cease to be federal entitlement programs but instead require approval every year as “discretionary spending.”
3. Last June, Sen. Lindsey Graham argued “entitlement reform” was needed and is open to tweaking the income cap and eligibility age for the programs.
4. The House’s largest Republican caucus, the conservative Republican Study Committee, released a proposal to raise the eligibility age for both Medicare and Social Security, increase means testing in Medicare, and move toward privatization for Social Security.
To all those writers who relegate socialism and safety nets as anathema for our country, what do you say about your Republican Party cohorts who want to take away the “entitlements” of your own economic safety nets?
Diane Teter
Edinburg
Letters
blasted
Just a few comments in response to a couple of letters submitted by Rev. Barry Abraham Zavah: “Abbot’s abuses” (Jan. 10) and “Video shows: They all knew.” (Feb. 3).
In the first letter (“Abbott’s abuses”), the writer excoriates and accuses Gov. Greg Abbott of being a horrible human being and a bad Christian for busing a group of immigrants to Washington, D.C., and for his efforts to restore a sense of normalcy to the Texas-Mexico border. What horrible crimes!
In the second letter, the writer launches vicious attacks against former President Donald Trump and his supporters. The writer first turns to direct quotes by political pundits and Republican presidential wannabes who use every name in the book to vilify and disparage Mr. Trump. The writer then turns his rhetorical fire against Trump supporters by stating that support for Trump is a kind of “toxic affliction.”
The same term/expression, “toxic affliction,” can be used to describe the hatred exhibited by the writer toward former President Trump and his supporters. What is sad and truly disturbing is that a person with the title of “reverend” can hold such hatred and animus in his heart for other human beings based on their political affiliation.
Perhaps we as “good Christians” should all take a step back for a moment of reflection and make a vow to stop the hate, instead of trying to put our fires with gasoline.
Ben Castillo
Harlingen
