Local Seniors Speak Out in Debate Over Social Security, Medicare

New state survey shows strong support for programs, but equally strong distaste for politics-as-usual and negative political advertising

For Seattle senior Susan Johnson, her 62nd birthday couldn’t come soon enough. The former customer service representative had been struggling to find a job for more than 2 years. After losing her home to foreclosure, she spent a short time sleeping in her car and had to rely on her local food bank to get by. But early last month, Susan finally became eligible to receive Social Security. “The monthly check of about $1500 is going to make all the difference in the world,” said Johnson. “It doesn’t mean I won’t continue to struggle to make ends meet, but I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it.”