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There are enough scare tactics being thrown around about the collapse or demise of future Social Security benefits. I’ve heard (more than once) from current workers, “There won’t be any money left by the time I retire.”
Is there a fix? In my limited mathematical calculations, it doesn’t seem to be that difficult. Raise the threshold of earned income for taxed Social Security deductions.
I’ll admit, I had no idea how these benefits were totally funded, and the threat of not getting them in the future seemed real. That was until I realized that Social Security taxes stop after annual income of $147,000 has been reached (this was for last year and has subsequently risen to approximately $160,000 this year).
My question is, how many people in the workforce earn more than $160,000 a year? Will those making over that suffer financial harm if the income threshold increases again?
In other words, we’ve all been paying into this system our whole working lives ― we’re used to the deduction. With the median household income being about $70,000 annually and only 10% of households earning over $200,000, I’d be willing to bet that most of the workforce would support the continued deduction of Social Security taxes to $200,000 or more. This would keep the program solvent for many years.
I’m sure people like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, countless pro athletes and even politicians in this country could “suffer” the consequences.
I assume the holdup is that majorities don’t necessarily rule. The ones with the gold make the rules and for some, more is never enough. That, in my humble opinion, is America today — all for one, one for one.
Perhaps, as the country approaches its 250th anniversary, we can celebrate by continuing a lifesaving benefit, one that we worked for and paid into throughout our careers. A $250,000 cap? Imagine that — security in old age. Don’t those who’ve worked their whole lives and paid into a system deserve that dignity? I’m asking for my kids, grandkids and future generations.
Gary Schuran, Middleburg
Overturn of a vital tool
904WARD is committed to creating a community of inclusion and addressing historical wrongs. Today we express our profound disappointment regarding the June 29 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn affirmative action. Colleges and universities should reflect the diverse communities that make up our nation.
At 904WARD we believe that affirmative action has played a pivotal role in addressing some of the historical disadvantages underrepresented communities face, fostering a more equitable society and promoting genuine opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic background. The decision to overturn such a vital tool undermines our progress as a country toward creating a fair and just society.
Affirmative action was one of many intentional acts needed to undo policies that excluded brilliantly talented people of color from pursuing higher education deemed appropriate for whites only. These policies, some outwardly racist and some not, still had the impact of locking people of color out of higher education, which impacts the ability to get certain jobs, make higher levels of income and live in better neighborhoods.
It is important to note that affirmative action does not “give” any person anything solely because of their race. Students vying for admission have worked just as hard as their peers and deserve to be where they are.
By dismantling this crucial policy, we risk regressing to a time when opportunities were disproportionately distributed and progress toward achieving true equality was hindered. If we want to maintain the gains and make continued progress, we have to recognize the disparate impact of policies, regardless of intention and demand that we have an equitable society that addresses that. We must require this from our lawmakers and politicians, and we must require it from our nation.
/Dr. Kimberly Allen, CEO, 904WARD
City doesn’t need Monroe’s mean streak
For the past few years, I have often been agitated by the weekly articles of Nate Monroe bashing City Hall, the City Council, Gov. Ron DeSantis or Republicans in general. Then, there was the Shad Khan Lot J proposal, for which Monroe helped poison public opinion on a project that would have brought people to live and work downtown. Not to mention his coup de grâce: the ongoing JEA saga. But Monroe’s July 2 article on Mayor Lenny Curry — in my mind — was pure pettiness in the extreme.
We get it — the Times-Union is no friend of Mayor Curry, and it’s no wonder he refused to meet with Monroe.
I know many people praise the columnist for his work on JEA, but to me it was a one-sided relentless attack that (again) poisoned the well of public opinion against the sale. Yes, the incentive plan was terrible, but the board of directors bears major responsibility for not catching the huge potential payouts to executives.
What could this city have done with the published sale price of $11 billion? Pay for infrastructure needs across the city’s underserved neighborhoods, partner with the Jaguars on stadium needs and help pay into underfunded city retirement plans.
FP&L has a good track record in their service areas, and I think Jacksonville would have been well-served if that sale ever came to fruition. The city has enough to worry about without watching over utilities. Our newspaper should help create a more balanced yet more supportive role in building a better Jacksonville. Let’s send a more positive message about our wonderful city.
Gary Reichow, Atlantic Beach
JinkoSolar to reach new heights in Jax
Since opening our doors in 2018, JinkoSolar has been proud to call Jacksonville home, where we have built a 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. We quickly recognized the untapped upside here, surpassing our initial goal of creating 200 new job opportunities in the first year. Today, we employ 280 people, almost all of whom are residents of the city and surrounding areas.
Recently, we saw a potential opportunity to expand in the U.S. Jacksonville, which has become a major manufacturing hub, is a great place to grow new jobs and further showcase the innovative spirit and ingenuity of our talented team. Our engineers, production staff and technicians work tirelessly to assemble and deliver solar modules that are critical to powering the future.
Business decision-making is complex and requires us to contemplate fluid factors. With demand soaring in the industry, the opportunity to expand quickly in Jacksonville further crystallized as the right choice right now.
With our new $50 million investment, which will welcome 250 new jobs to the city, we’ll be able to reach new heights as an economic engine in Jacksonville and become a good community partner.
Jeff Juger, deputy general manager, JinkoSolar
Barr should be barred
Regarding the July 3 story about Roseanne Barr’s remarks on the Holocaust, she is an embarrassment to the entertainment business, to America and to herself. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to listen to anything she has to say.
I was a young girl during World War II and was aware of the Nazi atrocities. They were broadcast on the radio and visually recorded on newsreels that we saw at the Saturday movies. We saw the American soldiers rescuing emaciated survivors of the concentration camps. We saw the mass graves. We saw the effects of the Holocaust. And since the war ended, so many of the witnesses have been interviewed and have given their accounts.
How can anyone deny the existence of a world tragedy that is within memory and is fully documented?
Nancy Labry, Orange Park
Debt forgiveness won’t solve anything
As a graduate of the Maritime College, I remember that a significant component of our training was a 10-week Summer Sea Training Program. In my 1966 first voyage, the cost per cadet was $200 and 25 years later that cost had escalated to $1,100. Now, more than 50 years later, the cost has ballooned to $15,000. It’s hard to imagine.
Rather than addressing the ever-increasing cost of college education through debt forgiveness programs, we should be addressing the root cause and get the costs back in line with real-world economics. College education simply costs way too much in today’s environment. Debt forgiveness ― without addressing the core problem ― is just kicking the can down the road again.
Peter A. Baci, Jacksonville Beach
Racism not the cause of health disparities
I read in disbelief the June 25 letter from a reader who believes that a federal amendment will help decrease the disparities in health care for Black women in America.
If the reader would just do a little research, he may find that these disparities are not caused by racism or the denial of equal rights. In addition to the failure of certain social policies enacted in the 1960s, I believe it is due to the unfortunate disintegration of the Black family, where 75% of the children are born outside of wedlock.
This one statistic leads to numerous disparities in the Black community. If you can solve this one problem, then you can bring about wonderful change.
Calvin Johnson, Jacksonville
Congrats to Madam Mayor
It was amazing and inspiring to watch the inauguration of our first female mayor, Donna Deegan. She was a bright light during her campaign, everywhere she went. She has been through adversity and came out with everything positive to help other people.
Soon we will begin to watch her accomplishments as our new mayor, and what a joy it will be to see all the positive and wonderful things she will do for Jacksonville. To see party leaders crossing lines to support her goal is extremely encouraging. Mayor Deegan wants everyone in the city to play a part in this success.
Congratulations Mayor Deegan — we’re all rooting for you.
Melinda Jarman, Jacksonville
Unsecured loads cause litter
This is a response to the July 2 letter regarding our local bridges and the amount of debris that collects against the concrete barrier walls.
I drive over the Dames Point bridge several times a week. The debris collects there from truck tires, etc. I have contacted the FDOT Urban Office downtown.
There is an assigned contractor who is responsible for each bridge. Trash removal is on a six- to eight-week cycle. What we all see on our local bridges is a daily accumulation of debris from vehicles not securing their load. I encourage everyone to contact FDOT and report any problems.
Mike Conklin, retired bridge and roadway senior inspector, Jacksonville
‘Golf course’ remark unnecessary
While I didn’t agree with the July 2 guest column by Jim Kavanagh, debating how to penalize former President Donald Trump should he be convicted, it was well-written and somewhat informative. That is, until the last sentence, which suggested Trump should be banned from entering any golf course in the country as a condition of probation.
That juvenile remark negated anything worthwhile in the column. He should reconsider his comedy career.
John Reinheimer, Fleming Island
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