Social Security at risk

The Economic Policy Institute has reported that Congress is intending to include a $492 million cut to the Social Security operating budget in a must-pass federal budget next week. This will likely cause a massive staff layoff, crippling the agency to the point where the public will have a difficult time accessing it or even applying for benefits.

This is how the illusion of government inefficiency is created. There is no need for such a massive cut except to make it appear that the agency, and therefore government, is inefficient, which will give the GOP leverage once again to propose handing our $2.8 trillion trust fund off to Wall Street, something that the people have continuously rejected.

Ever since its inception, it seems Social Security has been under attack by the Republican Party and sought after by Wall Street. No matter how many times the American people reject their efforts, the Republican Party keeps looking for ways to cripple and eventually kill or privatize the very successful and popular program.

Anyone who is currently receiving our earned benefits needs to call Congress and reject the proposed cut. I would also urge anyone close to receiving those benefits to do the same. And bear in mind that about a third of Social Security is disability, which is available to all ages, not just seniors.

JUDITH ZITKO Hot Springs Village