Barbara Essington writes that for the religious, inward peace is a reality in spite of world unrest.
To the Editor:
When the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus Christ on that first Christmas night more than 2,000 years ago, the message was, "Fear not...I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people..." (Luke 2: 10-11)
As we observe current events, it would appear that there is much to fear and not enough good news. Paris, San Bernadino and other events have all contributed to many feeling less safe. Many Americans believe another Sept.-11-like attack is imminent.
Our leaders seem to elevate tolerance and political correctness to way above protecting our country. According to U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., as quoted on newsmax.com, " 'America is at war with a specific ideology that wants to kill in the name of religion', yet our leaders won't acknowledge 'the nature of the enemy we face.' "
Sasse adds that we are seeing a lack of leadership and urgency in Washington by those who "deal with the world they wish existed instead of the world we actually have."
The angel's message to the shepherds was one of hope and joy for all people, no matter their religion or lack of one. The angelic host proclaimed "...Peace on earth, good will toward men."
For those of us who trust and believe in a living God, inward peace is a reality in spite of world unrest and life's difficulties.
Phillip Brooks, author of the lyrics to "O Little Town of Bethlehem," wrote in the popular Christmas carol, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."
Barbara Essington
Carneys Point Township
Social Security stinginess 'a crime'
To the Editor:
I would like to comment about no Social Security cost-of-living benefit increase for senior citizens in 2016, because of low inflation. I believe this is a crime against those of us on very limited budgets.
Why are we able to send billions of our dollars overseas to countries that could not care less about America, except for what we can give in money or supplies? Why can't we keep a few billion dollars at home?
Right here in Cumberland County, we have a large homeless population, and more families looking for their next meal and clothes to keep their children warm.
The federal government denied a Social Security increase largely because gasoline and heating oil prices went down. Thank God for that, but the rent didn't go down. Food prices and taxes didn't go down, either. We can't eat fuel.
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Our national and local leaders need to be sent a message on the next election day. They should live on what we have to live on, and see if they can survive. Everyone in government should take a hard look at their paychecks and be ashamed of themselves.
Go look at the "Code Blue" shelters set up for cold weather, or all the people lined up for a meal at our local churches There are seniors who have to choose between their medicine or their meals.Is that fair for all their years of hard work? Some of us served our country when asked, and now we get nothing.
What harm could a 2 or 3 percent benefit increase do? This country is already billions of dollars in debt, and we just keep printing more money and sending it to other countries.
God bless America, because we really need it.
Tom Laquitara
Bridgeton
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