Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What's a Girl to Do?

I'm scared therefore I vent.

Poverty sucks. I've been MIA here because I've been engaged in my annual battle with bureaucracy. It isn't over yet but after yesterday's encounter, I'm feeling the full force of what the Republicans are doing to elders in this country. The worst part is that it isn't over yet and I doubt it will be pretty.  At the rate things are going, groceries are  becoming a luxury item and  they've already cut that but it could well be on the  block yet again as I have a review with those bureaucrats soon so we'll see.  I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do about it but I'm going to have to do something.  As a result of yesterday's encounter, my rent expense went up $47 on top of having my food assistance cut by $100.  All this because I received a $30 increase in my Social Security checks.  It doesn't take a Rhodes scholar to do the math on that.

I didn't bother to call my Tea Party congressman as talking to a wall isn't productive and just raises my blood pressure.  I did call my State rep's office and, while his person was sympathetic, that was unproductive as was my call to my Senator, Sherrod Brown, who I know is on the side of the angels.  His aide was sympathetic but clueless. Sooo this already skinny old gal is about to get skinnier. There isn't anywhere that I can cut anymore. I've raised stretching dollars to an art form but there really isn't anything left to cut except my Internet service and I'll starve before I do that.   

None of this is going to help my health problems. If anything. it will make things worse. Stress has a nasty way exacerbating everything.   It's already kicking in and my anxiety medication is being used more.

Back in the 60s Lyndon Johnson made history with his War on Poverty that has helped millions.  Today, the Republicans are waging war on poverty  but they want to kill poor people. And they call themselves Christians . . .

Here's a one minute video from 2008 that still works . . .



I'll be around to visit y'all later.

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

35 comments:

  1. Back to the white male world. I am so sorry and can only say I'll fight 'em from over here until hell freezes over. Then we'll fight on the ice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You betcha!!! I just had to vent rather than take another Xanax -- it's addictive so I try to avoid it. Mea culpa.

      Delete
  2. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom -- but for that I'd have to be wise, and that ship sailed long ago! Just two suggestions: First, whatever happens, don't let 'em get to you. Second, go hit up your ex for some more cash!

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    1. He's not rich either. He does, however, buy me dinner now and then. Then again, sometimes I pay.

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  3. I'm completely out of useless advice. But I suspect things will turn around for you. You got this far, girl!
    But the way food prices are suddenly going out of sight is scary, and then they cut your food allowance!

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    Replies
    1. Indeed!!! It would be different if I had had a huge increase
      my income but $30 bucks is bupkas with the way prices have risen.

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  4. Anonymous2:47 PM

    I think the food prices have gone up (even more) in response to the increase in cost of diesel fuel.

    It's about time to tie a knot in the end of that rope, isn't it?

    Sorry. All I can send are hugs!
    Cop Car

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tied a knot in the rope and they just cut it off.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous3:31 PM

    I can empathize with you. I also haven't been writing too much on my blog for similar reasons. I am a teacher for the state of NY and it is not pretty. Our governor Andrew Cuomo (who I call a 'faux democrat) began a war on all of the public sector workers in the state.

    It is disgusting..I wonder if we can get a recall election on him, just like Scott Walker..

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    Replies
    1. I understand. I really have no idea how I'm going to survive.

      Talk to your union re: recall.

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  6. I am so sorry this has happened. I think you should e-mail this post to the President and the minority leaders of both Congressional houses. They may not may not be able to help but they do need to know how bureaucratic decisions and the rise in food prices are affecting real Americans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried but emailing is really difficult. I suspect that is on purpose because they really don't care.

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  7. I don't have any advice either, Kay. We have checked into various assistance programs for both the poor and the elderly but my Social Security is about $100 to much to qualify for anything. Mom has a higher Social Security income and a very small pension which added together puts her also above the qualifying level. Our constant fear is that our politicians will do to us what they are doing in Greece--cutting pensions by a third or more. They all love to prescribe 'austerity' but they aren't the ones for whom austerity means severe privation.

    Keep your spirits up, girl. I agree that vent rather than Xanax is best.

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  8. Are there senior centers in your community that provide free lunches? I have a friend who goes over often and takes home her food; it often lasts two meals. But the way things are going they will probably start cutting these programs. Let's hope the Republicans are served a crushing defeat in November and we can start curing the nation's real problems - not the nonsensical issues Republicans are talking about (contraception???).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no idea, And yeah, what you said.

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    2. Anonymous5:26 PM

      Locally, there are two hot meal programs: Meals on Wheels and the Good Neighbor Nutrition program. It wouldn't hurt to check.
      CC

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    3. Anonymous5:28 PM

      And...duh...why didn't I think to let everyone know that a good place to start looking for anything one needs is telephoning 2-1-1, in most communities. You probably all know this; but, I'd hate for it to be a secret.
      CC

      Delete
  9. You know I looked at that clip and found myself nodding. THIS is what the Democrats need to do, show an encouraging message while the GOP continues to run a fearful, negative and largely irrelevant message. Making abortion illegal and bringing prayer into schools is not going to revive our nation.

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    Replies
    1. Exactly!!!! Glad you liked it!! It makes sense to me.

      Delete
  10. I'm so sorry Kay
    we need a revolution bigger than Occupy, one they can't contain
    I know that sounds extreme but I'm so sick of the injustice

    After all the years of no healthcare and losing everything I had saved I finally got disability and Medicare yet now I can't find a primary care doc that wants to deal with all the referrals I need since Medicare takes so long to pay and has so much paperwork

    I keep on trucking and I know you will too
    A sense of humor helps

    Hugs

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  11. Oh Kay, I'm sorry.
    I agree with checking with the senior centers. I wish you weren't going through this.

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  12. Anonymous7:17 PM

    This may be the most extreme of all of the advice you are going to receive, but how about trying to move to a country which has universal health care? Anyway to check into it? I have no idea of the procedures, but perhaps there are resources to help you find out.

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  13. Anonymous7:19 PM

    Here is a more extreme suggestion. Have you considered moving to a country which provides universal health care? I am not sure of the logistics to do that, but I would guess that there are resources to find out. It might make your life so less stressful...especially if it was a warmer climate as well! I think I heard that Ecuador is good. (?)

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  14. I am so with you on this Kay. The check goes up $25 and the food stamps go down $25. And the rent goes up because the check went up and the price of food goes up because they can, knowing there's not a thing we can do about it. And don't even get me started on the cost of gas to drive 53 miles to buy the groceries. This is why I don't do politics. It makes me suicidal.

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  15. Venting is good, Kay. I'm so sorry for all you're going through. We've got to make sure the millionaires party doesn't get in.

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  16. I have no suggestions, but are food stamps an option? Thinkgs must change, but tonight I hold out little hope. My retirement five years ago was comfortable. Now I am beginning to feel the pinch.

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  17. That really sucks Kay :( You could try looking into gardening that is apartment friendly. There's all different sorts of stuff online for that now. I think Mio had a video of it up at her place.

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  18. Oh Kay, this is so awful!! I'm sending you hugs, which is about all I can do. Definitely check out the services offered in your local senior center. Also your county Office for the Aging (or whatever it's called where you live). They might have support services that you can use. I don't know what else to say. Except more hugs.

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  19. I was sad to read about your struggle, and will spend time trying to think of resources that are out there to help people. There are dollar stores here that sell food...from name brand bread to cereal to refrigerated things.
    Email Bill Maher!
    I loved your video and I hope that we get the same election results.

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  20. Kay, this is so true, the Republicans are waging a war on anyone who isn't in the 1%. They have sent jobs overseas, stolen pensions and now are screwing over the elderly. It stinks.

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  21. My SSDI is in process now. How do you think that will turn out? Thank goodness I still have Disability through work.

    J

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  22. My sweetheart suggests that you give up on the politicians and move on to the media.

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  23. Oh, gosh, Kay! I've been away at the wrongest time, I see. I'll try catching up here. I'm so sorry, honey.

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