Sam Gibbons: “Benjamin Franklin once said that when people ``are employed, they are best contented.'' Unfortunately, our Government…”

“Benjamin Franklin once said that when people ``are employed, they are best contented.'' Unfortunately, our Government right now is denying contentment to millions of seniors who want to work but cannot because of the Social Security earnings limit. Because of this earnings limit, seniors who work are being stripped of their Social Security benefits, the very Social Security benefits that they have spent their adult life earning and paying for with their own money. They are being penalized $2 for every $1 they earn if they choose to keep working. This is nonsense. It is wrong. And it must end. Fortunately, the Republicans here in the House are supporting a plan that would give relief to the millions of seniors who are burdened by the earnings limit. We understand that senior citizens who choose to work should not have to put their Social Security benefits at risk. Senior citizens can and do make lasting contributions in the workforce, and they should not be denied that right. The time has come to put an end to the Social Security earnings limit and tell our working citizens that we do not think they should be punished for having a job.”