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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

It's Still OK to Say This SUCKS

I just wrote out checks for all my bills. Mortgage payment, utilities, car insurance, and cell phone. Then I wrote out extra checks for a couple medical bills. I'm fortunate in many ways. I have a job, house, car, phone ... and all the costs that come with it. And somehow, I pay them.

I was reading different statistics, on the people of America's financial situation. Most people don't have health insurance or like me, just catastrophic coverage with a deductible that would have me getting a second mortgage. (I am dead serious) Many are losing their houses. The food and clothing topic for kids is a whole post in itself.

What went wrong? Why were the loop holes allowed to stretch so far that the elasticity has gone out of them? Is it greed or ignorance? Creative manipulation?

There are three situations that I have been aware of over the years that makes me think somethings in this free country SUCK.

Years ago, I had a girlfriend who, as a single mom, totally lived off the system. She had a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo, basement included, paid by the government. The three kids had all their health care covered, including dental and optical. They were on so many lists of families in need, those girls never had to wear the same outfit twice and the refrigerator and cupboards were always full. My girlfriend did feel bad about this and secured a part time job. When she reported this to "the system" they totally cut her off. She asked if they could just compensate her the difference until she could work her way into a full time position that included health care coverage. Nope, it's all or nothing baby ... so she had to pass on the job, and lived off the system (us) until her kids were out of school.

My daughter went to school with 2 sisters that lived on the next block. These girls were relinquished by their mother, made wards of the court, and their aunt and uncle were named as guardians. Why? Because now Aunt and Uncle were given a monthly income to care for them that allowed them to purchase a bigger, newer, nicer home. Sisters had all medical and dental covered by the government. ::: Bonus round ::: The girls maintained excellent grades which put one through 2 years of community college free, then she quit. The other is on a free ride at Michigan State. They see their mom on a regular basis and have a wonderful relationship with her. This route was chosen because staying with mom would not have allowed these things for them, free.

And my final puzzlement is the local nice guy in the corner party store. He is a registered legal immigrant. Nice guy, talks to me all the time. Sometimes I wish he wouldn't. He has told me the whole story of how coming to America indeed is the land of opportunity. The programs and tax breaks offered to foreigners are wonderful. They just aren't offered to US citizens, with the same ease or breaks. The way they pass on ownership of their businesses to new, incoming relatives helps them maintain certain privileges. They one thing I already knew from working in a bank, but didn't need to be reminded ... "I can take $9,999.00 cash out of the bank and mail it to my family at home, and it won't be reported to the government". He's right any cash coming in or going out of an account under 10K doesn't have to be reported. I wonder what they do with all that cash going out of the country monthly?

13 comments:

Desiree Eaglin said...

I have a girlfriend living off the system too. And Her family is wealthy and she doesn't even need to be on welfare if she didn't want to. And then here I am, trying my damndest to do the best I can and it's a daily struggle. Why is it that we - hard working, hard caring, high morale individuals don't get any breaks? It's just so screwed. And, it...SUCKS!
:o(

Joan said...

There are a lot of loop holes which won't apply to my family unless something drastic and probably unfortunate happens. I'm not wishing that but it can make you resentful if you dwell on the situation.

Michael said...

Um, yeah, how do I sign up for this bandwagon?

Fightin' Mad Mary said...

I know people here in LA that collect unemployment in between very high paying jobs all the time. It just doesn't seem like someone who make 6 figures should be able to do that.

Sherry said...

"The System"...it does suck. It's not quite the same here in Canada..we have good medical coverage so that's not an issue. But welfare and other benefits...there is a great deal done for immigrants to the country that natural-born citizens do not have the opportunity for.

There are loop holes everywhere...it doesn't make it right and yet how do we fix it/change it??? We can change the governing bodies, but that doesn't fix the problem...and the ones who seem to suffer most (because it is our taxes with no tax breaks that the very wealthy seem to manage, that keep the system afloat) are the ones in the middle..those of us who have jobs, pay our bills on time and manage to keep our heads above water (barely in most cases).

Sherri said...

I too know women who are living off the system even though they HATE it because Uncle Sam says it's either his way or the high way.

I feel we ought to reward those who want to work or receive a better education so they can adequately provide...instead we penalize them.

Carrie @carrieloves said...

There is something greatly wrong with the whole system... too bad because there are some people who would really benefit for just "a little" help, rather than all or nothing.

Audubon Ron said...

ARCI for NovBlow&Go

You write it, I read it!

I am really glad you posted this. I wrote about this recently when deciding whether to see a doctor about a small heart attack I thought I had and then I saw SICKO last night on DVD. Everyone needs to see it. I think Michael Moore is a little over the top sometimes about this country but this one is right on the money. Wait till you see the health care they give to prisoners in Gitmo. These are enemies of the US! Canada, England and a number of countries to include Cuba have social heath care and IT WORKS! We have powerful drug and HMO lobbies. There is no reason anyone of us should not be able to get the freebies the government gives people who don’t earn it. You are right on the money with this one. I’m mad as hell…

I understand why the foreigner likes to talk to you. HE THINKS YOU’RE A COMPLETE BABE! If you marry him you’ll get free health care.

PS: If he’s legal he’s no longer an alien. He should pay like everyone else – a lot for nothing.

Anonymous said...

'Hot Topic', 'er' nurse for many yrs., have seen it all, 'er's' are now the clinic's for free care for those our gov. won't render coverage and instant health care for those it does...
I've often wondered if people are just waiting at the docks to sign them up.
Now I'm not working due to a work injury and can NOT get health care coverage because of that 'work' injury, even tho I'd be paying for it, the insurance Co's won't sign me up! So can only get major med., am not on disability or unemployment.
It's too bad our Gov. cares more about forcing ''democracy'' on other countries thru needless killings, and sending an oversized plane to a space station, both at a cost that would feed all the poor and hungry in our own country not to mention render health care, provide structures for those who sleep where most would not even think of spending a night...

And so am going on and on, as it is such a big big big broken MESS!!!
Apprecitate your post Nancy..
Thank 'gawd' for our 'freedom' (as long as it lasts) to speak out without ending up in prison, oh yeah they are all full!!!

Nancy said...

Touche' to like mindedness but things are so broken, I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I always thought you take care of your own family (The United States), before you helped another (The World) ... a stronger family foundation makes it a lot easier to reach out to others.

Anonymous said...

Amen to that Nancy...
Things are very broken and it's scary. Keep the light burning within is all we can do, the tunnel may be blocked right now, but it's got to give way to the light sooner or later!
Have you ever read/listened to 'the lakota way' by Marshall?
Very profound, love the cultural story lesson's, the love of life, despite all the obstacles. How he talks of honor, humility, and pride, among many other things.

Another fascinating book is 'the postman', the movie with Kevin C. sucked, but the book is probably more a possibility than not...
Anyway till the power is gone we've still got blogging!!

Anonymous said...

I hope the guy at the "corner store" keeps on sending $9999.99 to his relatives. What you may not know (because you've been out of banking for a while) is the bank can file a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report). The bank then keeps a eye on the guys activity. If too many almost $10,000 transactions are done he will be reported to the GOV. He may just get his in the end.

Lys said...

There was one of my close friends who had to live on the system and she wound up going to school and getting a good job and is now giving back. Another friend of mine, I just recently found out, is abusing the system.

The system is not supposed to be abused and for those that do, karma will smack them in the end, IMO. It hurts those that DO need it.