Chevrefils: Lip Service from Presidential Candidates is Not Enough

CONCORD, NH — Here we are two debates deep in the 2016 campaign for President of the United States and we have yet to hear a substantive discussion about the future of Social Security, a vital and beloved program that impacts the lives of over 300,000 Granite Staters.

Social Security is especially important to me as a voter and as an American. You see, my father passed away when I was nine years old. Social Security was there for my family.

In addition, I have met the families who rely on Social Security through my work as a past director of two AARP state offices (New Hampshire and Pennsylvania), a former volunteer State President of AARP New Hampshire, and as a leader with many volunteer organizations such as the United Way, the Salvation Army and the NH Association of the Blind.

Simply put, Social Security works.

Unfortunately, unless the next President of the United States and Congress take action to update the program, many of these families could see a 25 percent cut in benefits by 2034. That could mean a loss of $4,000 to $10,000 per year.

It’s not too late for the politicians in Washington to put partisanship aside and show true leadership. But time is running out as this campaign drifts further and further away from the issues that matter to regular people.

Dick Chevrefils lives in Concord.

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