The politics of the "So I created a YouTube video"

[Denis Korb]

1--did someone say SS was going bankrupt?
2--ALSO from your Forbes article, and pretty much exactly what I said earlier.. "It’s not a pension fund into which you put your money when you are young and from which you draw when you are old. It’s an immediate transfer from workers today to retirees today. That’s what it has always been and that’s what it has to be–there is no other possible way for it to work."

Yes I agree and understand that...its a safety net i.e. an insurance we have and "pay into" for lack of a better way to put it. According to SS if you pay in 10 years at the highest margin you have paid your "fair share" Well I did that and more, so I have no regrets about what I have paid in vs. what I have taken out, and when I am back to full health and paying in again I will obviously do my part within that system.

 

[DianaCox]

So, if there was no SSDI or Medicare, would you have had the foresight and good sense to put away in savings enough money in an otherwise untouchable account to have covered your current expenses, both living and medical? Would it have been enough to have saved you from being homeless or bankrupt or dead by now? Would your "fair share" (i.e., actually - actual money, compounded at 4% interest rate, not "actuarily" - your "fair share" from an insurance perspective, considering most people DON'T ever collect SSDI and thus their "fair share" is currently going to support YOU!), compounded for however long you DID work, have covered your expenses since you have been unable to work? Be honest!

 

[Spiky Bugger]

I believe I'm done.

There is no level of logic or reality that is going to pierce through your closely held beliefs...closely held enough that you would go on youtube begging strangers for money so that you can attend a program with a long-term 5% success rate and post online here that you want (need/deserve) bariatric surgery paid for by taxpayers (such as liberals like me) and meanwhile holding fast to the misconception that you are somehow different/superior to/better than/more worthy than others who, in your opinion, don't need/deserve the kind of help you feel comfortable begging for, since...as you think you have established...you are SPECIAL and not at all like the deadbeats who are asking for stuff they do not need/deserve.

Oh...and you are going to look, to everyone but yourself, even more ridculous if you make it onto that tv show.

Look around and you will see the button to ignore me. But while you click it, remember that YOU might be one of the deadbeats some of us here might supporting with the taxes we are STILL paying.

 

[Denis Korb]

So, if there was no SSDI or Medicare, would you have had the foresight and good sense to put away in savings enough money in an otherwise untouchable account to have covered your current expenses, both living and medical? Would it have been enough to have saved you from being homeless or bankrupt or dead by now? Would your "fair share" (i.e., actually - actual money, compounded at 4% interest rate, not "actuarily" - your "fair share" from an insurance perspective, considering most people DON'T ever collect SSDI and thus their "fair share" is currently going to support YOU!), compounded for however long you DID work, have covered your expenses since you have been unable to work? Be honest!

I'm not positive what your argument is Diana,
1st - I worked and have paid into the system at its highest requirements for more then 10 years of my life

2nd - I got sick and ended up on SSD not because I chose it but because my job refused to bring me back without doctors clearance and the doctors refused to give that clearance until I fixed my health

3rd - I have followed my doctors instructions, and some of my health issues have been resolved, now I'm seeking to resolve the biggest hurdle left which is my weight so that I may return to work.

4th - I will return to work and participate as I should

So I'm not clear on what your point is? Isn't this what we want for all people on SSD? Am I not doing what any responsible person should do in my circumstance? In answer to your questions would I have been responsible enough to invest in my future? Of course I did/was I had short and long-term disability, and a health savings account, and a 401K. I have always kept health insurance for my family. My family has never been homeless (though we have come close) Considering when I was working I paid to support others, the system is/was there for that purpose I can only hope that others were just as responsible when it came to the benefits that I provided. (unlikely)

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Yes I agree and understand that...its a safety net i.e. an insurance we have and "pay into" for lack of a better way to put it. According to SS if you pay in 10 years at the highest margin you have paid your "fair share" Well I did that and more, so I have no regrets about what I have paid in vs. what I have taken out, and when I am back to full health and paying in again I will obviously do my part within that system.

Ten years of max SS is less than $75,000. You probably go through that in way less than one year...and one bariatric surgery would eat up well over half of your LIFETIME contributions. You may have convinced yourself you are "owed" these benefits, but I do math.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

I'm not positive what your argument is Diana,
1st - I worked and have paid into the system at its highest requirements for more then 10 years of my life

2nd - I got sick and ended up on SSD not because I chose it but because my job refused to bring me back without doctors clearance and the doctors refused to give that clearance until I fixed my health

3rd - I have followed my doctors instructions, and some of my health issues have been resolved, now I'm seeking to resolve the biggest hurdle left which is my weight so that I may return to work.

4th - I will return to work and participate as I should

So I'm not clear on what your point is? Isn't this what we want for all people on SSD? Am I not doing what any responsible person should do in my circumstance? In answer to your questions would I have been responsible enough to invest in my future? Of course I did/was I had short and long-term disability, and a health savings account, and a 401K. I have always kept health insurance for my family. My family has never been homeless (though we have come close) Considering when I was working I paid to support others, the system is/was there for that purpose I can only hope that others were just as responsible when it came to the benefits that I provided. (unlikely)

And there we have it...YOU are a much better human than others who need help.

NOT.

"Considering when I was working I paid to support others, the system is/was there for that purpose I can only hope that others were just as responsible when it came to the benefits that I provided. (unlikely)"

 

[Denis Korb]

I believe I'm done.

There is no level of logic or reality that is going to pierce through your closely held beliefs...closely held enough that you would go on youtube begging strangers for money so that you can attend a program with a long-term 5% success rate and post online here that you want (need/deserve) bariatric surgery paid for by taxpayers (such as liberals like me) and meanwhile holding fast to the misconception that you are somehow different/superior to/better than/more worthy than others who, in your opinion, don't need/deserve the kind of help you feel comfortable begging for, since...as you think you have established...you are SPECIAL and not at all like the deadbeats who are asking for stuff they do not need/deserve.

Oh...and you are going to look, to everyone but yourself, even more ridculous if you make it onto that tv show.

Look around and you will see the button to ignore me. But while you click it, remember that YOU might be one of the deadbeats some of us here might supporting with the taxes we are STILL paying.

Spikey,
Where in anything that I said did I claim to be superior to anybody? Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean that I in any way hate or want to silence you. And where did I ever say that people should or shouldn't get help if they need it? As for my Youtube Video, when I made that video I was in a very negative place in my life, feeling like a failure in everything I ever believed. 2 years removed from that video I have chosen to pick myself up and try to fix the problem rather then wallow in self pity. I never said that I was any different that anybody else, we all have our good and bad days.

 

[Denis Korb]

Ten years of max SS is less than $75,000. You probably go through that in way less than one year...and one bariatric surgery would eat up well over half of your LIFETIME contributions. You may have convinced yourself you are "owed" these benefits, but I do math.

Okay, I'm not arguing math I'm arguing insurance...if I paid for the insurance its there to help while I need it right? I'm not sitting back on my laurels not trying to do something about my situation. I would argue on behalf anyone, that if there is a need they should get. I don't claim to be owed anything other then recognition that I am not simply a "deadbeat" as you say it. even by the math I still paid as much or more into the system then I have received thus far in my life, and I am not even including what my wife contributes When I return to work I will pay into the system again. That being said I'm a bit concerned as to the direction this conversation has taken. if we are debating politics, I'm fine with that to an extent, but I would really prefer not to get into a whole question of ones personal beliefs as a point of contention. I like talking to you ladies, I believe in learning new things everyday. I may not always agree with you but I would not denigrate you for your beliefs.

 

[Denis Korb]

Ten years of max SS is less than $75,000. You probably go through that in way less than one year...and one bariatric surgery would eat up well over half of your LIFETIME contributions. You may have convinced yourself you are "owed" these benefits, but I do math.

No spikey SS doesn't give me anywhere near 75000 a year ;-)

 

[Denis Korb]

And there we have it...YOU are a much better human than others who need help.

NOT.

"Considering when I was working I paid to support others, the system is/was there for that purpose I can only hope that others were just as responsible when it came to the benefits that I provided. (unlikely)"

Spikey,
I have known many people on SSD, those that I have known tend to be the type that look at SSD as an entitlement while I look at it as a tool to allow me to return to work. I have seen some of those people manipulate the system, rather then go out of their way to get better they use it to augment hidden incomes, or cash jobs. Maybe I'm jaded having met those people. Hopefully not all people are like the others that I have met. My sister worked for Goodwill in NYC helping people return to work watching some of the immigrant's come in dressed in Armani Suits, and their wives in furs apply for SSD and drive away in Cadillac's running their underground car services in the city. So please understand when I say (unlikely) I say that with some knowledge and experience from where I speak.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Spikey,
I have known many people on SSD, those that I have known tend to be the type that look at SSD as an entitlement while I look at it as a tool to allow me to return to work. I have seen some of those people manipulate the system, rather then go out of their way to get better they use it to augment hidden incomes, or cash jobs. Maybe I'm jaded having met those people. Hopefully not all people are like the others that I have met. My sister worked for Goodwill in NYC helping people return to work watching some of the immigrant's come in dressed in Armani Suits, and their wives in furs apply for SSD and drive away in Cadillac's running their underground car services in the city. So please understand when I say (unlikely) I say that with some knowledge and experience from where I speak.

And your sister watched those people pay for those Armani suits and furs? No chance at all that they were given those items, out of the donation office at their church?

If you want to be suspicious...be suspicious of charitable organizations, like Goodwill. Hell, Salvation Army in
Los Angeles ran a "home for unwed mothers," supported by donations and TAX DOLLARS. They provided housing and social services to otherwise homeless, pregnant young women. But if those women relinquished their baby for adoption? Well, they were not welcome back after the baby was relinquished...the day they were discharged from tne hospital, they were homeless...because the state didn't pay them for THOSE girls.

Now THERE are some two-bit whores milking the system...Salvation Army...doing God's work. Right. Bell-ringing hypocrites. And I don't suspect the others are much better.

 

[Denis Korb]

And your sister watched those people pay for those Armani suits and furs? No chance at all that they were given those items, out of the donation office at their church?

If you want to be suspicious...be suspicious of charitable organizations, like Goodwill. Hell, Salvation Army in
Los Angeles ran a "home for unwed mothers," supported by donations and TAX DOLLARS. They provided housing and social services to otherwise homeless, pregnant young women. But if those women relinquished their baby for adoption? Well, they were not welcome back after the baby was relinquished...the day they were discharged from tne hospital, they were homeless...because the state didn't pay them for THOSE girls.

Now THERE are some two-bit whores milking the system...Salvation Army...doing God's work. Right. Bell-ringing hypocrites. And I don't suspect the others are much better.

I find things like that sad, just as much as you do. My entire point is still valid in that people take advantage of the system. I don't consider Goodwill or the Salvation army to be charities or Christian for that matter, they are for profit entities that also capitalize on the backs of others. http://articles.latimes.com/1987-09-27/news/vw-10666_1_thrift-stores

When my wife and I have surplus we give to those we know are less fortunate then ourselves. We don't believe in passing that responsibility on to some organization.