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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Debt Ceiling and Social Security: Don't Screw the Disabled & Elderly!

Scanned image of author's US Social Security card.Image via WikipediaCongress and the President better not screw this one up...

I simply don't understand how Social Security has gotten all tangled up with this debt ceiling crisis. I thought there were measures in place to keep the Social Security system solvent and functioning. I am even more confused after reading this article at the Huffington Post: Disentangling Social Security from the Debt Ceiling.

All I know is that there is going to be hell to pay if I don't get my Social Security check in August.

Why is the government picking on people who receive Social Security benefits?  By threatening to withhold payments, the government will cause undue financial hardship for the elderly and disabled who rely on these payments to pay the rent and buy food. What a clear demonstration of what little regard our elected officials have of the disenfranchised in our society.

How quickly they forget that the majority of us who receive these benefits have paid into the system, thus making us eligible for these payments.  I haven't forgotten all the hoops I had to jump through, like I was some kind of circus dog, just to qualify for disability benefits. Plus they seem to forget that many of us are paying income taxes on the benefits that we receive.  Unlike big corporations and wealthy individuals, we don't shirk our tax responsibilities through the use of shelters and shell games.

These tight economic times have taught the average citizen that we need to be more thoughtful with our money.  We all have been learning to spend less, save more and be creative about generating and leveraging our income.  Clearly, this is a lesson that our government needs to learn as well.

I suggest that instead of inconveniencing the disabled and elderly, the government needs to call in all the favors it extended to big business and the wealthy during this economic downturn. It's time for all these entities to start paying their fair share.  I bet if they started paying what they truly owed the government this whole debt ceiling crisis could be resolved quickly and easily.

Better yet, go after all those insurance companies who are making money by denying claims from people disabled by illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue who can no longer work because of their severe pain and fatigue.  These companies are creating a greater burden on the Social Security Disability system. Through the use of policy limitations and loopholes, they discriminate against disabled people based solely on their diagnosis.  I have personally been affected by this insurance company practice and I think this is all kinds of wrong.

I also suggest that the government take the proverbial hard look at all of its expenditures and be more diligent about avoiding waste and inappropriate use of funds.  Right now, it's my opinion that everyone in Washington is getting paid way too much money for the mediocre work product they are giving us in return.  And why do we pay wealthy politicians an overly generous salary and provide them with a cadillac benefits package anyway? They should get paid what their constituents make to keep them in touch with the issues facing the average American.

My husband, the Republican, and myself, the Democrat, both agree that if I don't get my Social Security check in August we are going to join the protests that are going to result from this horrible decision.  It's also going to make us think twice about reelecting incumbent candidates for political office the next time we head to the polls.

I'm already sick and tired.  I don't have the energy to deal with the fallout from all these political shenanigans.  Get your act together Washington and stop stressing me out with your blatant disregard for my health and well-being.




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3 comments

deb aka murphthesurf said...

I second that!! Well said.

Migrainista said...

I third that! Couldn't agree more!

MountainBlessings said...

I vote you for President!! I just got denied SSDI and now am going thru the reconsideration process. I have fibro, chronic fatigue and all the associated klingons that go with it. I am so tired and so desperate, not to mention broke because I had to retire.

I am like you why do they have to attack SS, is it because they look at it like free money. We don't have a choice to pay into or not to pay in so the gov uses it like their own slush fund.

I got so mad the lady at SS was talking down to me saying, SS is like an insurance plan and it there for those who need it. Well first of all I NEED IT and second, I told her well if I had known that I would not have pain into it....BUT WAIT I DIDN"T HAVE THE CHOICE RIGHT???? She p***sed me off.

Sorry to get so carried away, it just drives me nuts.

I really enjoyed your site, thanks for sharing.