Senators’ Cost of Living

I received my annual statement from the Social Security Administration yesterday and found that my monthly benefit amount will increase by 2.6%, based on a rise in the cost of living. This princely amount will not even come close to keeping pace with just one of my increases in the prescription drugs I must take.

While reading the paper, I note that in a midnight vote the Senate approved a pay increase for all senators of 3.4%, based on a rise in the cost of living (Dec. 9). Not surprisingly, the senators managed to find a better statistic to base their cost-of-living increase on. Is it any wonder that a vast number of Americans hold their elected officials in such low esteem?

Al Cohen

Sherman Oaks