Consider the possibilities

of St. Patrick’s celebration
It’s that time of year again — St. Patrick’s Day. What a day for a parade!
Start by painting the line down the street green and have the beer companies make their great green beer. Have an expert teach employees in the “pubs” how to make perfect Irish coffees. Have bagpipers marching down the street, along with Irish music.
The parade could start small, but soon it would be as big as Charlotte’s.
People from all over North Carolina would come. It would be great for businesses. Businesses have to get together and make plans; it would pay off, and everyone would enjoy it.
You all don’t know what you’re missing.
Let’s give Charlotte some competition.
P.S. Don’t forget the great corned beef and cabbage.
— Joan A. (O’)Batson

— Spencer

Don’t raise Social Security age
Back in the early 1970s, it seemed a progressive concept to eliminate mandatory retirement. The result was a new career ceiling, “The Gray Ceiling.” Those 50ish executives who were about to move up the corporate ladder as a result of a retiring boss were now put on hold. The person ahead of them who was promoted due to a retirement now had their ladder extended indefinitely. Management became mired in the 1950s. As a result, they had to pay more for doing the same job or create less-efficient, more costly positions. Those already ahead on the ladder made sure policies were in place to keep their agenda.
From another perspective, remember when there were three men on a garbage truck? Today there is often only one, the operator. Imagine that driver at age 69, because he can’t retire. Now imagine the 20-year-old who can’t get that job. Those 20-year-olds then go on the public dole, or worse.
To start, the solutions are subtle. Look to adjust qualifications and restrictions. When Social Security was set up in the 1930s, a 50-year-old had to work for at least 10 more years to receive benefits. Now, make it up to 35 work years, based on implementation. Make the allowable earned income restrictions higher, up to 85 percent of all earned and unearned income. Exclude military disability and base benefits on 15 years of highest income. Note, if you have earned income, you will pay Social Security and Medicare taxes in a higher tax bracket than now allowed. COLA (cost of living adjustments) shouldn’t kick in until age 70. Social Security benefit payments would reflect taxes contributed, adjusted for inflation and current life expectancy.
Separate the debtors from the creditors. There are always exceptions and adjustments, including those who die early or live longer, but deal with them as an exception and adjust.
— J.H. Stanley

Kannapolis

Duly noted
Term this short and not sweet … Isn’t it ironic that the state cut unemployment benefits to those who desperately need them, and on the other hand, legislators are pushing for those payday lending industries to return to North Carolina for people desperately in need of cash?
— Mary Hall

Salisbury