Thank you for the great article “The Future of Shopping” in our changing world [Cover Story, May]. I hope you’ll consider addressing in a future issue the horrendous cost of shoplifting and what could be done to stop this significant drain on businesses and the consumer. It seems that the punishment for this crime is not severe enough to have an impact. It would be helpful for readers to have some perspective on this increasing trend in our country.

SHERRY TOEPFER
MELBOURNE, FLORIDA

Substitute walking into Dodger Stadium in 1965 with my dad, and I had a remarkably similar experience to Bob Costas [“Visiting Yankee Stadium With Dad,” Your Life]! The color of the grass compared to the black-and-white TV; the smell of the hot dogs; Sandy Koufax, Lou Johnson, Big Frank Howard. Good times.

TERRY COTT
LEMON GROVE, CALIFORNIA

First, and most important: hydrate [“What a Ride,” Your Life]! Bring a refillable water bottle with you to the park, plus a ziplock bag filled with a few quick snacks on which to nibble. Some parks have wheelchairs and personal mobility scooters for rent, which can be helpful on a hot, crowded day. Last, check park maps for first aid stations and don’t hesitate to reach out to park employees should you not feel well. They will usually have EMTs on standby.

SUSAN BEVINS
WINTER PARK, FLORIDA

In “Q&A With Annette Gordon-Reed,” she said it well [Your Life]. Our founding wasn’t fair to many, but the series of events in the last 250 years have made us what we are today. It’s important for youth to know the truth.

RICH COLLIGAN
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

Thank you for your leadership regarding SS [“Social Security Finances Weakened Over Past Year,” In the News]. There is a two-step solution to the problem. First, move the money legislators have in their pension plans to Social Security so they have skin in the game. With everyone in one program, they will work together to get it fixed. Second, increase the dedicated payroll tax to $1 million or higher. With your leadership, and the country behind you, the people can take it out of the legislators’ hands, and get it working for the people like it should.

SAM MESSINA
MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA

The May 2023 issue of the AARP Bulletin contained excellent articles on both Social Security and Medicare; I especially liked Dena Bunis’ column, “Medicare Made Easy.” She answers tough questions that politicians and Medicare Advantage plan salesmen avoid. Good job, Dena.

SIGURD M. SORENSEN JR.
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO

Thank you for a great article [“Debt-Defying Credit Card Strategies,” Your Money]! I’ve been using the approaches you listed since I got myself into major debt two years ago. Writing down each of my debts, along with the balances due and interest rates, puts it all right before my eyes. The snowball approach gives me a long-term strategy to pay down my debts.

DENNIS HACKENBERGER
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

A letter in the May issue of the AARP Bulletin commenting on the article “Prostate Cancer Primer” was written by Ron Bartley of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Due to an editing error, the letter was incorrectly attributed.

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