Commentary correct

Wendy’s Murphy’s commentary in the Herald (“Help Elderly Before Inmates,” Dec. 29) is right on. When did becoming a “senior citizen” mean that you don’t matter any more? Especially to our lawmakers!

When did the rules change that if you worked hard all of your life, followed the rules/laws, paid your bills, took care of your family, looked out for your neighbor and neighborhood, paid taxes, in other words was just a good citizen, life would be pretty good?

As a lifelong Massachusetts resident and now a senior citizen I practiced and lived by the above words. At times I even held three jobs to make ends meet and not go in debt. I am proud of how I was raised, proud of how I have lived my life, the jobs I have held and the person I am today.

Charlie Baker and many of our lawmakers have no idea of how Massachusetts senior residents live in today’s trying times. They are out of touch with the everyday citizen.

When was the last time Baker walked into a grocery store and had to look at the prices of groceries they put into their basket? How about going to the drug store for their prescriptions and worry about what the out of pocket cost will be? Not to mention the cost of other essentials that continue to rise as pension and Social Security checks remain relatively fixed.

Baker is so out of touch with his fellow residents in this state, especially the senior set of us, because he has not walked in our shoes.

My challenge to Baker and his fellow leaders is leave your plush settings and offices more often. Go into supermarkets, drug stores, or just go sit on a park bench incognito, and watch the persons you are supposed to lead and protect.

In other words try walking the walk and talk the talk … it might humble you and even make you a better person and governor.

— Laura Bogdanowicz, East Longmeadow