Letters: Facing the new reality without social safety net

OK, I get it. We can no longer afford the social safety net; no more entitlements, no Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. Let's look at the new reality, with low taxes and being all on our own.

Ever priced individual health insurance? Take a real deep breath beforehand.

How about saving for retirement? Every one will need about a million dollars. Fortunately there are about five jobs that pay well enough that saving a million is not difficult. The rest of us just have to put a little (maybe a lot) aside each month.

How about all those investments? How's the stock market, real estate, bank CDs, and the lottery been working out for you lately?

You can always move in with your kids. However, if you think the government is taking away your freedoms, try living with a relative when you cannot drive a car.

You can always keep on working. I estimate that there are about five jobs available where old folks can be successfully employed.

What we need is a reality check on the options available for the aged in America. If you are old, there are very hard choices to make.

We could become a nation where the leading cause of death is failure to fund medical care.

Linda Lang

West Chester