Paul Sassone

Have you ever noticed that when the government taketh it taketh by the fistful?

But, when the government giveth, it giveth by a tiny pinch.

We all know that when the government wants your income taxes it wants it — Now!

But when the government is supposed to pay out to Social Security recipients, it pays by droplets.

And then wants it back.

Take the increase in Social Security benefits for next year. The increase recipients will receive is 0.3 percent, which averages to about $4 per recipient per month. That will buy, oh, say, one Lipitor pill.

And then Uncle Sam wants it back.

The government deducts Medicare Part B premiums from the checks of Social Security recipients. And since the 2017 benefit increase is so miniscule, that paltry increase may be completely eaten up by a hike in Medicare premiums.

In fact, the hike in Medicare premium hike may exceed what increase recipients receive.

And this is an impossibility.

The law says Social Security benefits cannot be reduced.

So, what will have to happen is that Congress must intervene somehow and fix the problem.

Congress?

Our Congress?

Good luck.

Think I am exaggerating?

Well, another bit of government Scroogism I noticed is the drip, drip, drip way Cook County is increasing the minimum wage for county residents outside Chicago.

The minimum wage will go to $10 an hour in July and then increase  $1 an hour each year for three years until in 2020 when the minimum wage reaches the princely level of $13 an hour.

But, when the county imposed a large tax on soft drinks — 1 cent an ounce — it didn’t impose the tax gradually. Bam! Starting in July, thirsty county residents will have to shell out another $2.88 to buy a

case of pop.

Giveth gradually; taketh swiftly.

I believe that’s on page one of the Public Official’s Bible.

No, you and I cannot see it.

–Government giveth, then taketh away–