Citizens of the 3rd Congressional District should know that Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, is not interested in helping senior citizens with the recent decision by the Social Security Administration not to give seniors their cost-of-living-adjustment, or COLA, for 2016.

This decision affects 65 million senior citizens in America. After I called and e-mailed Tipton in late October about this decision, his staff person informed that this did not involve Rep. Tipton, because he was not on any committees that concerned Social Security. The staff person told me to contact one of the senators on this matter.

Why should it matter about committees? Tipton should be concerned about the senior citizens in the 3rd District and their welfare. The staff person was very disinterested in my phone call and basically blew me off.

The SSA’s lame decision was solely based on low gasoline prices during the past year. How many senior citizens drive that much? This decision means that millions of senior citizens may have to go without nutritious food so they can afford their expensive prescription drugs. It’s a harsh sacrifice that senior citizens in this country should not have to make.

I have been contacting other members of the Colorado congressional delegation regarding this matter. So far, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, is the only one that has shown concern.

Keep in mind that the Republican Party does not look favorably upon Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Rep. Tipton needs to be accountable for his inaction and disinterest on this most important matter whether he is a Republican or not.

Randy Fricke

New Castle