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Not better off
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This is in response to the letters of Stephen Mellett ("Am I Better Off?" Sept. 12) and John A. Tabis ("A New Nightmare," Sept. 14).
Mr. Mellett says he is better off because the Dow has risen 67 percent since 2009. Has he forgotten the "downs"? Any economist that I have heard says the stock market has very little effect on the average peon.
Mr. Tabis says he also is "holding [his] own economically."
I am one of the many millions who is not better off. Since 2009 the interest on my IRA dropped from 4 percent to 1.1 percent. My CD dropped from 4.5 to 0.9 percent. My medical expenses have risen 300 percent. My local taxes increased $350. My pension? The same as it was 20 years ago.
A headline in the Sept. 13 PG says "Census Report: Middle Class Sinks to an All-Time Low." Mr. Mellett and Mr. Tabis should ask the 25 million who are unemployed/underemployed and the millions added to the food stamp program if they are better off. Ask the food banks how they are doing! Talk to the hundreds in our four-county area whose homes are listed under sheriff's sale in the PG. Ask them if they are better off.
WILLIAM BARKSCHAT
West View
First Published September 21, 2012 12:00 am
