Here are this week’s letters to the editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Keep the promise: Protect Social Security now
The clock is ticking on Social Security, and Washington knows it. The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run dry, and when it does, benefits will be automatically cut by roughly 23% unless Congress acts. For the average retiree, that means losing about $461 every month. That is not a minor adjustment. That is a direct hit to people who planned their lives around a promise.
This situation did not appear overnight. Years of reckless spending and political avoidance have brought us here. Instead of making tough choices, too many in Congress would rather let seniors pay the price than rein in their own habits. That is unacceptable.
President Trump has made his position clear: Social Security is not a handout, it is a deal. Americans paid into the system with every paycheck, trusting that the government would honor its commitment. That trust must not be broken.
There is a path forward. U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, has reintroduced the Social Security Guarantee Act (H.R. 6079), a bill designed to ensure that benefits are paid in full as promised. This is not complicated. It is about keeping your word.
But it will not happen without pressure. Seniors, families and anyone who values fairness needs to speak up. Call, write and email your representatives. Demand action before the November election.
This is about dignity, responsibility and keeping faith with millions of Americans. The promise must stand.
Peter Stueber
Oshkosh
Faith traditions and global priorities
55% of the world’s population is represented by the children of Abraham. These children control almost 60% of the world’s wealth. Imagine a world where children of Abraham did not have any sibling rivalry and were focused on the Abrahamic covenant of faith and obedience. Abiding by the principles of ethical living, by being charitable, and their relationship with God. All three religions abide by the “Golden Rule” — treating others as one would wish to be treated.
Instead, we see that almost $2.5 trillion is spent each year on weapons. The highest we would need to spend to end world hunger is $40 billion a year — a drop in the bucket compared with what is spent on ending human life. The argument here is not about socialism, but to compare and contrast our priorities.
Muslims are coming on our celebration of Eid al-Adha, which celebrates the well-known sacrifice of Abraham of his son. Muslims will be celebrating sacrifice, obedience to God, loving your fellow human being and embracing our neighbors. This is a day when we can reflect on our values and ensure that we are being just with our responsibilities to this world.
The world is a gift to us. It is also a treasure vouchsafed to us to pass to our children better than how we found it.
As children of Abraham, let’s take this opportunity to imagine a better future. Look at our neighborhood and the peace and tranquility it represents. Imagine that peace for everyone in the world. Then, at minimum, pray that this peace can be achieved in our lifetime.
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Khurram Ahmad
Oshkosh
Reflections on mothers and faith
This Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my thoughts as an Ahmadi Muslim. Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers.” This is the fundamental philosophy that guides a Muslim’s attitude toward mothers.
The responsibility falls on the mother to be the spiritual sanctuary for her children. She is their first teacher and role model from the day they enter this world.
A child is like a sponge, and much of their environment is out of their control, so having a mother who portrays the right qualities — like patience, warmth and compassion — can make an environment similar to heaven on Earth that shapes the foundation for the child’s soul.
Being a mother is also a profound sacrifice of one’s own will for a higher purpose, and not only does it refine the child and, by extension, society, but it also helps the mother bloom into her best self.
While a mother’s own needs may feel neglected at times, it’s important, as recipients of her love and sacrifices, to appreciate, respect and cherish her every single day with gestures of service, whether big or small.
Uzma Mirza
Oshkosh
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to oshkoshnews@thenorthwestern.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh letters urge action on Social Security and world hunger
Reporting by Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
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