Today’s economy is in a deplorable state. It seems that instead of getting better as time goes by things get worse. I understand that when the economy is as bad as it is that budget cuts must be made. I understand that people may be laid off. I understand that these things are being done with good intent. The powers that be in the state of Louisiana have decided that state employees will not be getting their annual 4% raise this coming January. People receiving Social Security will also not be receiving a raise. I understand that in times of crises, these decisions must be made. What I don’t understand is this. Louisiana employees will not receive a cost of living raise, but our health insurance, with the state is being increased by 3%. Those who receive Social Security are already struggling to get by on what they now receive. The government however, has been very generous and is considering giving those receiving Social Security a one-time check for $250 to help since they will not be receiving a raise. If all of this has to be done to help the struggling economy, I understand. But if this is done, and people won’t be receiving a cost of living raise, then I think the powers that be in the White House should put a freeze on any and all merchandise from increasing in price. If we receive no cost of living raise and prices continue to rise, how will this improve the state of the economy? It won’t. It will in fact have a domino effect rippling all the way down from the stores, to their employees, to us, the common people who are just trying to earn a decent living and live a decent life. I think politicians who make these decisions have no clue as to how the “little people” live. If budget cuts need to be made, start at the top, with the people in government making the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Take a few from them, let them feel the hurt for once instead of the everyday citizen. On another note, I feel the main reason the economy has deteriorated so much in the past 10 to 15 years is because all of our jobs are being sent overseas. The rich get richer and we just keep losing jobs. Next time you receive a phone call from a creditor, or a utility company and the person speaks in a foreign language, ask them if they are located in the United States. You will be surprised to find that many of them are not. All this time I thought the foreign speaking people were here working in the states, but no. They are working for creditors and utility companies, but not in this country. We are supposed to be the richest country in the world. At this rate it won’t take very long before we are the poorest if someone doesn’t stand up and think about us. Keep our jobs here. Quit giving millions of dollars to help other countries when we have homeless and hungry right here in the great USA!

Stacie LeBlanc

New Iberia

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