Letter to the Editor: Fixed-Income Challenge

Many of us here in Door County are living on what’s called a “fixed income” – you know, Social Security and a small IRA or savings. 

This countrywide shutdown has an impact on those of us on fixed incomes: We do not get out. We do not go out to a Friday-night fish fry. We can’t go out to lunch with friends at Greystone Castle or the Red Room. Darn, this is really a problem … And on top of that, the government just sent me $1,200.

Let’s see now … For the past two months, I have not spent my budgeted $60 per week on supper out, and the federal government sent me $1,200.

Perhaps I could donate some of this to people who need it. How do I find them? I could give a few bucks to the Door County Community Foundation. I could order takeout and give the driver a bigger tip. I could send a check to my church. I could go to EconoFoods and buy food bags for people who need them. Or, I could just put the extra dollars under my mattress and ignore the need. 

Good angel/bad angel. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

James Mathein

Sevastopol, Wisconsin