Alarmed at plans

Dear Editor,

I'm alarmed that the congressional "supercommittee," which is working on a plan to reduce the deficit, is considering cuts in Medicare and Social Security benefits that seniors have worked for and rely on to make ends meet. For most seniors these benefits are a necessity, not extra icing on the cake.

We all know that Congress must make some tough choices to address growing debt, but treating seniors like budget numbers isn't the way to do it. To reduce the number of zeros in the federal budget, Congress should first cut wasteful government spending and close tax loopholes while protecting the benefits people have paid into throughout their working lives.

Russ Wood

Cambridge, Nebraska