A few months ago I griped about Senator Feinstein's office not responding to me.

[WarGamer]

EDIT: My two biggest political hot button issues are Wealth Inequality/Tax Inequality... and the support of the poor on Social Security and the fact that people who care for children or loved ones for decades might not have enough credits to get more than $500/mo on SS

Actually got a letter today that specifically addressed my concerns. Note, there are even typos. Looks like an aide wrote it.

She's back on my Christmas Card list.

Dear XXX:

Thank you for writing to me to share your thoughts regarding Social Security. I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

I understand you support establishing a higher minimum Social Security payment. Please know that I recognize millions of Americans rely upon Social Security benefits to maintain their independence and live heathy, productive lives.

I believe Congress must explore different options to ensure that Social Security continues to function as well as it can, and I am open to considering proposals that maintain our nation’s ability to support Social Security beneficiaries.

If you have not done so already, you may wish to submit your comments directly to the Social Security Administration at faq.ssa.gov/ics/support/ticketnewwizard.asp?style=classic.

I appreciate you sharing your suggestion with me, and I have made careful note of how Social Security has impacted you. I will keep your letter in mind as I continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to make Social Security work better for all Americans.

Once again, thank you for writing. Should you have any other questions or comments, please call my Washington, D.C., office at [phone] or visit my website at feinstein.senate.gov. You can also follow me online at YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and you can sign up for my email newsletter at feinstein.senate.gov/newsletter. Best regards.

[bottomofthehill]

1. The volume of letters to Congressional Offices has been very high

And with people working from home, the return contact time is high, but many offices are catching up now with the help of summer interns to sort and categorize letters and help with the research.

[WarGamer]

3. I was happy to see it.

I know DiFi is occasionally unpopular around these parts... but I love her and I've supported her for many years, I even attended a fund raiser for her while I was working with the Gladstone Institutes in the Bay area...

[jimfields33]

2. I love you did this and that the senator responded

I actually think that social security should be a 2,000 a month minimum AfTER taxes and Medicare deductions. And when a spouse dies, no loss of social security UNLESS remarry. Lift the damn cap or at least make it 400K. 175K is ridiculous!

[WarGamer]

4. Yes!!

A livable minimum Social Security amount is of paramount importance.

I think Joe promised 1400/mo on the campaign trail.

$500 a month is cat food and cardboard box retirement, smdh...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. Believe it or not, the 75yo mother of my brothers (not my mom) is living in Livermore on her $560/mo

check, in a one bedroom apartment. Obviously the housing is hugely subsidized, and my brothers do help her out a bit (one gave her a cheap car and I think put her on his mobile phone plan).

But Livermore is also pretty nice, as you probably know.

With no help at all she'd be totally screwed, but there are some housing programs that make it possible to live a decent life if you can get modicum of family help on pretty small SS checks, and your health is still okay.

Better than catfood and cardboard box at least.

Also agree that the minimum should be considerably higher than that!

[WarGamer]

6. I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

This culture that considers Senior Citizens "expendable" must change...

SOMETHING must be done.

The advice that I've always given is...

No Matter what... OWN the piece of land and the thing you live in before retirement.

Doesn't matter if it's a lot with a 30 year old trailer on it.

OWN your residence in retirement. NOTHING is more important. Move if your area is too expensive.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. Agreed ... part of why I just re-fi'd my 30yr to a 15 yr so it'll be paid off at 68 instead of 78

But this woman never owned a piece of property in her life. I've never even know of her to have a credit card, or a car loan ... and I've known her since 1976 when I was 10.

She worked like 15 years as the housekeeper and nanny for various members of Huey Lewis and the News ... probably getting paid cash ... that was an example of the kind of work she did in most of her life, and I wouldn't be surprised if the IRS doesn't know of a dime she's made since the 1980's.