Wednesday August 26, 2009, 5:49 am

"The woman who answered the phone at my friend’s representative’s office told him that they’d been inundated all day by calls from seniors who are frantic about the cancellation of the COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) that every Social Security check recipient depends on, every January, in order to keep up with increasing costs for groceries, drugs, insurance, and more.

By the time he’s done paying his rent, utilities, and car repairs/insurance, my friend can’t afford to buy anything else but groceries and laundry soap. Forget about buying new clothes! Forget about subscribing to magazines or buying books! Forget about going to the movies or even renting a movie! Forget about doing anything the least bit unconnected with his survival, literally. Every spare penny has to be used to buy items like Benadryl, which is one of many, many drugs not covered by Medicare Part D. "

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 6:45 am
Thankk You

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 6:55 am
TYSVM Just *C* for posting this, I may not a senior however, I to was on the phone and frantic on behalf of my disabled spouse,in todays economy 1056.00 a month w/medicare supporting 2 people is just not enough. If one doesnt suffer from mental distess I am pretty sure thats on their agenda now wondering.....now what? Thanks again Just, this is a sad sad world as we kow it today.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 7:14 am
TUVM C, I remember "granny" in Greeneville, she actually got a $6 dollar raise in SSI (if you can call that a raise) several yrs ago. Guess what Tennessee did? They TOOK back $6 dollars of her food stamps!!! I was SHOCKED! I just wish that these people who are supposed to work FOR US had the same dam benefits we have, if we even have any? I bet yer butt if THEY had to live on SSI and Medicare without THEIR SPECIAL BENEFITS, they just "MIGHT" fix the system. How can they/we justify that they get BETTER health care and RETIREMENT than us, their employers?? I still say WE ALL NEED to go to CONGRESS and FIRE them ALL and re elect real AMERICANS with Common sense. They even have it better than our own soldiers!

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 7:35 am
THank you so much Carole for posting that. It is an incredible story that nevers gets out into the media. The elderly and disabled in this country are nothing more than scapegoats for politicians. medicare has financial problems not just because of the billions going to private insurance but also because the Trust fund that your social Security money goes into keeps getting raided by every President since the Vietnam War. It is supposed to stay there and earn a modest interest. Every President keeps stealing from it to pay their greed ventures. Clinton used our social Security money to pay off the deficit.
So after reading this article how is Obama's "secret plan" going to get us single-payer HR 676?
What is the difference between the Democrats and Republicans?
Most of congress and our President are nothing more than just plain hateful, underdeveloped, apathetic creatures.
If you don't agree with me, PROVE me wrong.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 8:07 am
I agree 100%

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 8:11 am
Any time our Government gets its self into trouble it always falls back on the disabled and the old, or its taken from our schools. This is nothing new.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 8:34 am
I was a widow before I was 40, with an anoxic brain injury and 2 underage children.[okok --boo HOO]

I was amazed at how kind people were--and doubly amazed at the kindess of strangers--e.g. the Goverment--but....I LIVE IN CANADA.

I can't BELIEVE you guys don't have any 'safety nets'--sometimes, y'know, sh*t just HAPPENS to you.
[To ANYBODY!]

I am appalled that a man who has actually KNOWN hard times could be so duplicitous and unable to see himself in their plights.
[Perhaps, like FDR, he needs to get POLIO to see the light....]

BTW, Namaste! xo

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 8:46 am

Whenever I read things like this, and the heated arguments AGAINST healthcare for citizens, but FOR corporate profits -- and I think of all the HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS spent for war and corporate bail-outs (none of which did the public have the option of approving/disapproving) . . . I have to wonder: WHEN WILL AMERICANS DEMAND MORE FOR THEMSELVES????

We need to quit being such quislings!

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 8:54 am
Bz as usual in Washington and at the state level. This is S.O.P.
As to why it's not in the news? because this is old hat... as Michaels S said they give seniors a six dollar raise then take it out of the foodstamps . NORMAL...ain't it lovely????(Mutter Mutter Mutter!!!!)

The problems we are complaining about have always been here they are not new.. what is new is that many people are seeing them for the first time.
Thanx to the internet and global communications it is out here in the public and people are waking up, talking about it more because the classism is fading ... this is good.. now we get to see what has been happining all along, now the problem is bigger because there are more seniors..before no one or very few cared about the poor except on Christmas.. the rest of the year they were out of sight ..out of mind. Many of these people just assumed the poor were taken care of.. or they were lazy and did not want to work ...bums.. now that mentality is fading...Human heart compassion is taking it's place and we are getting to see the reality of it on a grand scale...we are getting to see the major problems in this country indeed in the world for the very first time and how it has not been working for the poor or those on a fixed income..... and many get to see what they have to deal with daily from our government on all levels. This problem has been around since I was a child. I see it in the homes of people who raise families,and have done this on 14,000 dollars a year right now. I remember when people complained about people on food stamps and medicaid and called them lazy no good bums while listing why and how they worked in great pain and fed their families and did it without the governments help and cursed those that required government help.This mentality is strong still.They grew up poor they would say had nothing and still managed it all with out the governments help.
Since our government has proven that they are more than incapable of doing this correctly, what is required is that humans have a heart for those in their communities and do something proactive like grow gardens and give the surplus to the seniors... and poor. get a community group and make sure the senior have what they need.. chores,any help they require.WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR..stop asking a corrupt incompetent government with greedy morons to give more money.. make it work with out them for they are useless. They have proven it many times over... People who hunt in the south do this all the time give meat,fish,garden produce hand me down good clothes ,yard sales and all.How does one think poor people survive on 14,000 a year and raise families? Bring the love out of the heart and manifest it in your neighborhoods. We have to stop asking the government for help..either we have them controlling everything and in everything or we don't..There are many times the government can help in many issues like CIA torture and FBI murders.. things like this other wise WE The People need to show our government we don't need them and their greedy moronic decisions.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:23 am
This is all misinformation. The Obama administration decides NOTHING. Can I be any clearer? NOTHING. Social Security COLA's are tied to the CPI and rate of inflation by LAW and was changed to be so in 1975 so that folks wouldn't have to sit and wait for a special act of Congress to receive adjustments. It just so happens that for the first time since the statute was enacted 34 years ago that could actually be a negative number. Despite several news articles to the contrary, benefits, by LAW, cannot be negatively adjusted!

I don't want to hear sob stories. I'm housebound disabled and have lived on Social Security Disability for 20 years. I can legitimately out "sob story" most all of you times twenty. I've received a COLA the last 19 years as well as Congressionally passed, and Presidentially endorsed stimulus payments twice in the last 15 months that each far outstrip any COLA I've ever received. The law is the law. As to those of you who are ignorant enough to try to personally try and tie this to Obama -- perhaps you should try informing yourself with facts before opening your mouths (And Janet, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for what came out of yours. As a wheelchair bound person with multiple disabilities I not only take great offense at your statements and suggestions, I can honestly say that you not only know not of what you speak -- but using your great ignorance to wish someone a case of Polio truly shines the mirror right back on you instead).

If you want to change the LAW, call your Representative(s)...

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:27 am
Getting government out of our way IS demanding more for ourselves.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:31 am
Didn't SSI just get an increase? I'm pretty sure I remember my mom telling me she got one.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:47 am
Well you all know I am Canadian, so my question is: what the heck are "food stamps"??
Also I want to know what GOP means, I see it referring to Republicans, but what is it?

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:54 am

Sorry, Margo . . . "GOP" used to be used to describe the Republican party, and stood for "grand old party."

Unfortunately, only "old party" still applies. hehehehehe

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:56 am
As usual, cuts are made at the bottom of the financial pyramid. In California, the same is being done to services for the financially poor and helpless. Always the message is, those not producing financially are not necessary. We truly are slaves in this system.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:02 am
Cande V, so the way you deduce this, the WW2 Vets were killed, maimed, PSTD'd for nothing because Hitlerism is alive and thriving in America.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:04 am
GOP stands for Grand Old Party aka the Republicans and food stamps are a subsidy from the government of the USA that lets people who make less than poverty wages buy food. they used to come in booklets that would equel dollars.. now they are formally known as an EBT card which when one goes through the incredibly long drawn out approval process will let U buy you a fraction of food needed but as we say something is better than nothing.Most food stores in America take these cards and this card allows one to buy food only on the federal government dollars from taxpayers.Hope that answers ur question Black T.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:05 am
Just C we cross posted a responce at same time FUNNY!

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:09 am

[Faith . . . "great minds" *hug*]

 
California deal leaves more kids uninsured, By Ryan Knutson, August 1, 2009, Wall Street Journal: “California’s budget deal is expected to nearly double the state’s number of uninsured children and puts a spotlight on a key provision in the health-care bills in Congress. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed a revised annual budget to close California’s $24 billion shortfall, including a $1.4 billion cut to Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. In addition, California slashed $178.6 million from Healthy Families, its version of the Children’s Health Insurance Program…”
 

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 11:49 am
little dirt...thank you for the most sensible comment in this thread.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:09 pm

To whom, Marion?

Are you saying that government administrative decisions do NOT affect consumer costs -- as well as the ability of consumers to pay for them?

"Price indexes are available for the U.S., the four Census regions, size of city, cross-classifications of regions and size-classes, and for 26 local areas. Indexes are available for major groups of consumer expenditures (food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, MEDICAL CARE, recreation,education and communications, and other goods and services), for items within each group, and for special categories, such as services."

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:17 pm
Social Security News
 
Proposed 2009 COLA Will Keep Five Million Seniors Below Poverty Says Senior League
 
2.8% increase will raise average benefit just $30.20 per month
 
Feb. 14, 2008 - Late last month, the Congressional Budget Office published a little-noticed estimate that forecasts seniors will receive just a 2.8 percent increase in their Social Security checks beginning in January, 2009, according to The Senior Citizens League. Despite the increase, the League says, at least five million people aged 65 and over will remain in poverty, since senior costs are rising significantly faster than the annual Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
 
Between 2001 and 2008, Medicare Part B premiums have soared by more than 93 percent while the COLA has crept up just 19 percent, leaving many seniors on their own to cover all other rising costs. Part B premiums cover doctors' visits, tests, and outpatient hospital care.
 
Although the COLA is intended to help seniors keep up with inflation, a recent study by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) that analyzed eight key expenditures found that people 65 and over have lost 40 percent of their buying power since 2000.
 
Expenses such as home heating oil and gasoline have more than doubled since the beginning of the decade, while food staples such as potatoes and butter have increased by 47 and 39 percent, respectively.
 
A majority of the 48 million Americans aged 65 and over who receive a Social Security check depend on it for at least 50 percent of their total income, and one in three beneficiaries relies on it for 90 percent or more of their total income.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:17 pm
The worst....and this will make your nose bleed JC.
But the worst is the COngress,Senate and WH have given themselves a nice raise.
They do it ever year NO matter what is happening with the economy.The two Bush's did it,Clinton did it and not to big of a surprise that Obama is doing.
We might not agree on single payer but taking money away from our elderly,that they have already invested in (making it THEIR money)and putting into a system that a majority of the population does not want is a huge mistake.
Just fix the systems that we already have.
But that is just how I see it.
Thanks for the article it is agood one.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:47 pm
Seconding my support for little dirt's comments.

"Death Panel's" my rear-end. That is just spreading FEAR not UNDERSATNDING.

I wish people took more than a few moments to understand the issues behind the headlines and appeals to emotional reaction.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:50 pm
Also, does anyone under 40 who has payed into the system their whole life even expect to see ANY SSI/benefits from the government we are supposedly to be elligable for in our old age? I don't.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 12:50 pm
I just got an increase in my EBT I suppose now I'll lose it. It seems to me that those whoreally need the help are the first onesto get cut!

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 1:20 pm
Instead of being mad at the government you should be mad at the employers and corporation that are no longer paying their employees real pensions. 401K's are just gambling in disguise. You are supposed to be saving up enough money during your working years to help pay for your retirement. The companies are supposed to be helping you save for retirement by supplying you with a good pension. Social Security was meant to be a supplement to your pension and your savings; not your only source of retirement income. We should be demanding more from our employers. We should not have to be gambling with our retirement savings (401K). This economic crash has effected most peoples 401K's in a very bad way. Businesses love 401K's, because a 401K, as opposed to a pension, saves companies and shareholders even more money. It was a profit driven change. We as a people should have been screaming at the tops of our lungs as companies (like many airlines) just walked away from there pension programs and left their employees in the dust with nothing, not even a 401K, to fall back on. The real key to fixing these huge problems is putting back in to place most of the regulations that were first put in to place to help protect employees and consumers from big business. Most of these regulations have been stripped away or diluted to the point of being ineffectual. Big business has proved time and time again that they can't and won't regulate themselves. The bank and housing crash should be proof enough of their unbridled greed and the lengths to which these corporations will go to to "legally" steal a buck. We are just a commodity to these people and they will do whatever they can to not pay a living wage or benefits. They will do as little as possible to care for the people that have made their companies successful and highly profitable. We need the government, and you can thank them for having the programs in place, like Social Security, Medicare, and minimum wage, that help provide for and protect our unspoken masses.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 2:34 pm

I just realized that many people are just reading the headline, without reading the article.

This article is NOT confirming that any of the bills being proposed for healthcare reform include "death panels." It is saying that, if seniors and disabled people cannot survive from their benefits and must forgo the costs for necessary medication, the PRESENT system is a form of a "death panel."

Please do not be put off by that reference -- it's bandied about a lot nowadays, but sometimes, with a different connotation.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 2:39 pm
In January 2009, we got the largest COLA since 1983. I'm thinking this is the government's way of saying, "Oops, we shouldn't have done that."

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 3:41 pm
Seems like I remember Newt Ginrich saying we (republicans) are not going to kill medicare, we are just going to let it dry up on the vine. Then the repugs have tried and still are to privitize Social Security. I too have friends and relatives that are barely surviving on what little they draw. But if the repugs had their way, mostly likely there would be little or nothing at all for the worthy programs. With the U.S. spending more than the rest of the world put together on the military and weapons of mass destruction, while having enough to vaporize the planet several times over...cut out about 2/3 of the military spending. Take away Bush's 15% tax cut to the richest people in the world and bring the money home from hidden in Switzerland and over seas banks and tax it accordingly. Then the U.S. would have the money available for single payer health care, shore up Social Security, and every child an option of education through college.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 5:31 pm
Seems that you too have the same problem we have over here in the UK. When times are hard and cut backs have to be made...do we see our polititians taking a pay drop? or even a drop in their expense accounts...do we see any less of the bail outs to the Big Bankers (oh it is tempting to change that 'b')...do we even see a cut back in the entertainment of foreigners at tax payers expense (as in state visits)...

Oh no. It is always the weak and the poor that pay the price of any cut back
-they loose their increase
-their pensions fall in real value as everything increases
-they loose their other benefits (non cash)
-they loose their index linked benefit
-they loose out on health care as the young are worth treating more than us oldies who are on the way out anyway.

and

Sometimes they forget to restore these things when times get better.

and

-still my premiums increase year on year
-still my fuel bills creep upwards (even if the costs go down)
-still my water costs more
-still my waste disposal costs me more
-still my local taxes increase
-I still have to pay back nearly a third of my pension as 'tax'
-still the tax on any pleasure increases
-still my groceries price increase

then they say

Be Healthy...go Organic

which is twice the price of normal Non-organic stuff...

and

do I complain...you bet...but who is to listen to us...we are the has beens that are on the way out remember...
my health deteriorated at 45 and I could no longer work
-so my pension is less by 20 years contributions.
and do I complain?

So I guess its the same your side of the puddle...hit those that no longer have teeth, or clout.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 5:33 pm

Our "side of the puddle," David.

Honey, we're ALL just treadin' water!

(but with good company)

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 6:12 pm

As always, whenever I (admittedly, reluctantly) post an article -- full well knowing that I may have to deflect an attack or two -- once it's over, in the end, I'm glad I decided to do it.

Thank you ALL (pro and con) for your comments!

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 7:03 pm
Carole..., you absolutely rock, heh. Some people..., just amaze me, with this President. I couldn't believe the news when I first heard it. The first thing that I thought was, "what the heck is this President thinking..." I agree 100% with those that are against this decision. Michael said it quite well. Many excellent comments here. The senior citizens, poor, and children will suffer the most, through it all.
(mutter,mutter,mutter)

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 9:16 pm
reluctant or otherwise, thanx for the post, always glad to see your view. it's unforgivable that my parents have to suffer while the man on top gets fatter, my Dad worked double shifts at the age of 63 when a horrible accident forced him to retire. what he did then doesn't matter in this country, he can dry up and die for all this lousy government cares, no matter who is running it. between his meds and my Moms they are again paying out the equivalent of a mortgage. he literally gave the shirt off his back so many times, always a helping hand up, a roof over a head, hot meal, a ride and job ops. what does he get in return for so helping his country whenever he could? you can't put a dollar sign on the value of some people, it sucks and that's just the way it is.
muttering a duet with ya Dar.

Wednesday August 26, 2009, 11:12 pm
Noted.
Little Dirt..kudos for the blunt honesty.
Thank you.
~Namaste~

Thursday August 27, 2009, 2:38 am
My understanding is that the COLA is tied to the inflation rate, and that that was the reason for the lack of an increase ... not that the increase was "cancelled," per se, but not extended based on the government's formula. Having worked for state government, and imagining that the federal gov is just a bigger unthinking behemoth, I would imagine that this was a coldly bureaucratic decision that will not stand.

Thursday August 27, 2009, 5:44 am
Carol,

How is this an 'Obama administration' issue?

Thursday August 27, 2009, 1:20 pm
Carole, thanks for this!! Faith, I loved your comments!! Sir Walk, I like your question!!

Thursday August 27, 2009, 2:01 pm

Well, Sir Walk F., I did not write this article, and can't speak for the author. Frankly, my main impetus for even posting it was the fact that it cried for some media attention. As we know, certain things are overlooked regularly by mainstream media.

I have, however, gone to the source and gotten the email address of the author:

Name: Bronwyn's Harbor Was My Valley
Email: bronwyn@obamanot.com

Please let us know what you find out.

Thursday August 27, 2009, 5:44 pm
BAUfor the gubment, unfortunately. Just plain sad.

Thursday August 27, 2009, 9:24 pm
Thanks C! This is WHAT happens when the government LOVES US. Do we see behind the curtain yet???

Saturday August 29, 2009, 3:45 pm
 
How The Profit-Hungry "Medical-IndustrIal Complex" Hurts Health ... By The Huffington Post News Team HR 676 proposed by the House and S 703 in the Senate will accomplish what we need, but the establishment has manipulated Washington into proposing other plans such as HR 3200. I have read these bills. HR 676 is by far the better bill. ...
 

Sunday August 30, 2009, 5:50 pm
Kudos Carole!!!!

This is exactly why even as a nurse I have put off seeing a doctor.
why?? Because these offices are run by big business. You will be put on hold for weeks for an appointment with a real doctgor. But..they sure as hell will set you up to see a Physician Assistant.
They suck up your money, your health insurance, and your health rather than get you in to see a doctor with any time frame less than 3-4 weeks. So...regardless the office sucks your insurance, and 9 times out of 10, the nurse misdiagnosis, and you leave with scripts and a half assed explaination and if your medical prblem....if your lucky, or not,....they order a battery of test that suck up your insurance, and you are still in misery.
I know...I have fought dr.s offices for 3 years now over this issue.
I refuse to pay for office calls at $100.00 plus...a pop, and I will not be told I have no choice.
They forget you are the employer...and you have the power.

Monday August 31, 2009, 4:10 am
I agree with Little Dirt when she said, Social Security COLA's are tied to the CPI and rate of inflation by LAW and was changed to be so in 1975 so that folks wouldn't have to sit and wait for a special act of Congress to receive adjustments.
That being said, many elderly and disabled receive low incomes each month to try and keep up with the cost of all that is going up. Just because they are either elderly or disabled does not mean they too would not like to be able to enjoy going to a movie once in awhile but as the incomes can barely, if it does, pay for fuel and food those little things many take for granted are out the window.
Society is only as good as it treats it's least among them...that would be our Elders and Disabled.

Monday August 31, 2009, 7:02 am
 
What galls me most about this situation is that trillions of dollars to fund failing corporations can receive immediate attention and be pushed through Congress; and yet, this situation -- which none can deny is going to be devastating to this country's least capable of generating additional income -- and not only does it not receive much media coverage, but it's given a casual, "Not our fault, we didn't pass that law."
 
Surely, our representatives [sic] have been aware of this for some time, so why wasn't any emergency measure proposed to remedy it?
 
This is a "real time" clock showing where our tax dollars go:
 
U.S. National Debt Clock