Social Security...SSI....disability

**crazylegz70** · 08-31-2008, 03:42 AM

I have an honest question for you guys....with the upcoming election and all the blah blah about social security and universal healthcare, I am really torn about what is best for a person that is DEF in poverty.Maybe you can shed some light (with proven facts that I can see)!!!

I have severe medical problems and This year alone I have spent over 10k in medical bills with no "real" surgery. I absolutely need the medical insurance that the federal disability program provides me. I really shouldn't say "provides" because I pay around $90 a month to receive it and another $26 a month for my prescriptions. I know this doesnt sound like a lot for most of you on here, but imagine this.....

I have been disabled my whole life. I cannot stand for longer than 20-30 minutes. I had 2 hip replacements before I graduated high school. Do you want to know what I receive from the government other than insurance... a HUGE $580 a month. The number one thing I hear is..."you get $580 a month for free?" NO!, I have to live off of $580 minus $26 for my prescription plan. Half my house bills (take another $300 off there) Cell phone ($50) Whats that leave you with??? $204 not including my car insurance, gas to college, eating... I guess I am more just ranting and raving because I dont understand how the government expects me to live on $580 a month? How many of you guys realistically think that is possible??? Without my GF it isnt for me....

So to sum this up, maybe post some links where I can look at some FACTUAL information from both sides (Dems and REP) that might benefit me in my decision....

**wtnhunt** · 08-31-2008, 08:31 AM

Sorry about your situation Lance, while each and every voter out there has a right to vote the issue/issues most important to them, I have to ask why you think Obama would really benefit you and do you really think he is best suited to run this country and keep it safe at a time that could not be more critical? He has been the senator for your state, what exactly has he done in that time to help you?

Social security as a system at inception in the 30's did not carry any benefits for disabled, it was not until the 50's that reform came in the way of disabled benefits. The way the system is run now is not what it was designed for, the system does quite obviously need some serious reform.

Remembering back seems Hillary tried pushing for socialized health care while Bill Clinton held office(8 years) and since that time we have seen dramatic increases in health care premiums and costs. Guess another question to consider through this is do socialized health care systems really work like they should, and how effectively managed would they be by the government. Might look at some examples, not sure about Illinois but some states have systems that kind of resemble what we might expect of a socialized system, have read some complaints right here on these forums from some of our Canadian members about how their socialized systems having some serious issues.

Looking at the bigger picture than just the issue of socialized health care and disability benefits, what reasons would you vote for Obama and based on what qualifications and what would you expect that he would really be able to accomplish given his ability? Here is a link you may want to check out that has some pretty good non biased information on all the candidates http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm.

**Leo** · 08-31-2008, 03:01 PM

McCain is actually on a disability pension himself because of injuries he received as a POW.

Palin latest child has down syndrome. This was identified in-utero and she was given the option to abort. She did not. She also has other healthy kids.

I fall into the "uninsurable" class of folks in this country and Medicare is all I have.

Personally, I don't believe that "O"s health plan is viable. He repeatedly skirts the issue as exactly he plans to pay for it.

Oh yeah, and just so everyone knows. You have to pay taxes on SSDI checks. They are not tax free.

**crazylegz70** · 08-31-2008, 04:55 PM

so far, great points by leo and wtnhunt...Keep em coming guys/gals....

**stevebeilgard** · 09-01-2008, 01:42 AM

the dems want to copy the european and canadian health care systems, also used by the aussies and new zealand. they are all in total failure, bankrupt, and have hurt each country to the maximum. i don't see where the same thing here can do anything but ruin the best (and most expensive) health care in the world.

while i can't answer the question you pose, lance, i do know what not to do.

**oldksnarc** · 09-01-2008, 06:19 PM

A Steve said - socialized medicine that the dems tout and want to copy is not the panacea they would have us believe. Tremendous problems and abuse.

SSI would not be in the shape it's in had the feds not been raping the system's funds thru the years. It is money set aside by employees and employers to fund the program and not every other pork barrel program they come up with. It was NOT their money to pillage and waste.

They should be charged with theft or misuse of public funds and they should be sued for reimbursement - but, then again, we'd be suing ourselves and they'd raise our taxes to make reimbursement.

As I recall from what little I learned in History - we had a revolution when our government (Britain at the time) ruled us with a heavy-hand and un-wieldy taxes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKFKGrmsBDk

**OJR** · 09-01-2008, 09:17 PM

I have been in the VA health care since 1963 and it is the most screwed up thing there is! Anytime the Fed's are involved, they cannot handle it!

I have seen a few presidents since I was medically retired from the USAF and let me clue you, the democrats talk all this good stuff but they have cost me thousands over the years! The worst ones were Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. They both vetoed major legislation that would have helped the veterans and there wasn't enough votes to override their vetoes!

I am going to vote for McCain! It scares the **** out of me to think Obama might get elected!

**bulldawg** · 09-05-2008, 02:09 AM

I would get ahold of someone in Human Services for your county, to see if there are any programs available for foodstamps, rental and heating assistance, etc. Because of your low income, you may be able to get Medicade also.

Dawg

**dougp** · 09-05-2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by bulldawg

I would get ahold of someone in Human Services for your county, to see if there are any programs available for foodstamps, rental and heating assistance, etc. Because of your low income, you may be able to get Medicade also.

Dawg

Exactly.
Have you spoken to a social worker at your Dept. of Human Services?

**slugshooter** · 09-05-2008, 04:52 PM

While thinking about universal health care for all Americans may make one feel warm and fuzzy inside, it would not come without cost. There are doctors out there willing to work for smaller incomes or none at all ie. Doctors without Borders, but in my own observations, since my wife works in the medical field, that most doctors are money hungry and sacrifice patient care just to take more patients. More patients equals more money. In order to have universal health care, we are going to need a majority of doctors who would be willing to make far, far less than they are now. Another alternative, in order to pay for universal health care, either taxes are going to be raised to pay for it, or programs will be cut to pay for it. If Obama is elected, I would speculate that much of our Defense budget will be cut to pay for something else, which leaves us vulnerable to attack. Your program where you receive $580 per month may be cut also, which means you make absolutely no money, but at least you would have free healthcare. There is a give and take in government. Money is taken from somewhere (programs, taxpayers) to pay for something else. The US Government is the model for "robbing Peter to pay Paul." I sympathize with your situation, and unfortunately, the people who abuse the system cause honest people such as yourself to get left behind. If you want your taxes raised or possibly lose your benefits, then vote for Obama. Obama makes John Kerry look like a Conservative.

**wtnhunt** · 09-05-2008, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by slugshooter

While thinking about universal health care for all Americans may make one feel warm and fuzzy inside, it would not come without cost. There are doctors out there willing to work for smaller incomes or none at all ie. Doctors without Borders, but in my own observations, since my wife works in the medical field, that most doctors are money hungry and sacrifice patient care just to take more patients. More patients equals more money. In order to have universal health care, we are going to need a majority of doctors who would be willing to make far, far less than they are now. Another alternative, in order to pay for universal health care, either taxes are going to be raised to pay for it, or programs will be cut to pay for it. If Obama is elected, I would speculate that much of our Defense budget will be cut to pay for something else, which leaves us vulnerable to attack. Your program where you receive $580 per month may be cut also, which means you make absolutely no money, but at least you would have free healthcare. There is a give and take in government. Money is taken from somewhere (programs, taxpayers) to pay for something else. The US Government is the model for "robbing Peter to pay Paul." I sympathize with your situation, and unfortunately, the people who abuse the system cause honest people such as yourself to get left behind. If you want your taxes raised or possibly lose your benefits, then vote for Obama. Obama makes John Kerry look like a Conservative.

Marc, is that really you? lol.

Very good reply here sluggo, could not agree more. Obama gets elected, look for huge cuts in our defense programs along with taxes raised on everyone above the poverty level. At this point in time we really cannot afford more of the type of cuts we saw under the Clinton administration, and higher taxes on the working class will only send the economy further spiraling downward.

**crazylegz70** · 09-05-2008, 05:07 PM

i am def refusing food stamps. I can feed myself and other people need it more than I do

**slugshooter** · 09-07-2008, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by wtnhunt

Marc, is that really you? lol.

Very good reply here sluggo, could not agree more. Obama gets elected, look for huge cuts in our defense programs along with taxes raised on everyone above the poverty level. At this point in time we really cannot afford more of the type of cuts we saw under the Clinton administration, and higher taxes on the working class will only send the economy further spiraling downward.

Yep, believe it or not, it's really me.

Despite voting for Kerry four years ago, I still cling to my moderate feelings. Would Kerry have been a better president these last four years than Bush, nobody can really say? I do however remain not the greatest fan of the Bush Admin., but like all administrations, you take the good and the bad. Let's put it this way, there was no way on Gods green earth that I would have voted for Obama or Clinton this year, and I preferred McCain 8 years ago, so I have always held true to that decision in this election. I am sure there are some things that Obama if elected I would agree with and disagree with, much the same that if McCain is elected, I will agree with some of his decisions and not with others. The difference is who I believe is better for our country and the most prepared to lead. I also believe that Congress would work much easier with McCain because he strives for bi-partisanship, versus Obama in which we would have, if the Democrats regain control of Congress this election, four years of Obama getting a free pass on anything (much like Bush did in his early years) or if the Republicans regain control, four years of partisanship and stalled legislation and vetoes all in the name of partisan politics. I'll take the bi-partisan maverick any day.