Seriously, I am fucking TERRIFIED that my SSI check might not come nect month.

[Odin2005]

I am beyond angry. I am fucking sick of every one of these fucking assholes in Washington, be they Dem or Puke, playing with people's lives.

:grr:

[Texasgal]

1. Do you really think you won't recieve a check

next month?

Really?

[rurallib]

4. I would not bet money on it - but if you have a repuke congress critter

let them know you are blaming them!

[Odin2005]

8. Mine is the DINO Collin Peterson.

[snooper2]

115. I'll be money on it...anybody up for a $50 bet?

[Odin2005]

5. That's what Obama said.

[TheWraith]

91. No doubt with the expectation of millions of people sitting up, taking note, & screaming at Congress

In the armed forces, that's what they call "fire for effect."

[Divernan]

101. Obama's sole purpose WAS to terrify all recipients.

Republican politicians know the way that SS is set up, that those checks will continue to go out. Obama didn't throw this threat out to GOP leadership in one of their all to brief meetings. Obama did this to panic the populace - everyone who receives such a check and all their families and friends, solely to generate panicked calls to Congress. That puts the burden on the Senators and Representatives (of both parties) to explain fiscal realities of SS (FICA moneys continue to come in - there is a surplus in SS funds, etc.)to all the many constituents who are at best alarmed and at worst completely terrified.

It was a vicious, cynical, cruelly manipulative thing to do to seniors and veterans and the disabled, as well as their families and friends. And whomever endorses or supports that action is equally callous.

[CTyankee]

111. Well, then I'm pretty callous. I'm a senior and I for one think Obama did the right

thing by telling the truth to the American people, in case they have tuned out of politics entirely and haven't been listening.

What is callous, vicious, cynical and cruelly manipulative is not what Obama is doing by making such a statement. He did not couple it with "and therefore you must take cuts in your benefits." He simply said there would not be the money to pay those benefits if the government defaults on its debt. He was making the issue clear for people who haven't been following the circus in Washington.

I don't shoot the messenger if he is simply telling me the truth.

[stopwastingmymoney]

137. +1

and thank you for saying it

[jtown1123]

112. And whose to say he's not setting us up to begrudgingly accept chained CPI

don't worry folks! Your checks will still go out but you'll never get a COLA again!

[CleanGreenFuture]

121. I wonder how many people ended up in the hospital (or worse) upon hearing that

on the CBS Evening News last night.

[JuniperLea]

128. About as many as show up...

When homeowners go through this very same ritual every few years when there is talk of ending a tax break on mortgage interest... and when CA voters get the business over Prop 13 every few years.... and when the Pubbies trot out abortion... these are wedge issues. This is nothing new.

[robinlynne]

11. It should never have been suggestded in ANY context. Why didnt he threaten to stop the wars instead?

[Ruby the Liberal]

17. It was a shitty thing to do, but he needed to get people's attention

Defunding the wars isn't going to stop conversation over the dinner table, but this (non-existent threat) would. See below for a quasi-literate explanation. There is nothing to stop. It is all automated, direct deposit and by law, in its own account, not in the general fund for discretionary reallocation (although they have "borrowed from it", they can't reallocate those funds).

[bornskeptic]

144. He didn't threaten anything.

He was asked if he could guarantee that the checks would go out on time, and he told the truth. I understand that people might be disturbed if their checks are a week late, but the millions of Americans desperately searching for employment would be somewhat inconvenienced by the inevitable recession which would follow a default on the debt. The 14th Amendment requires the Administration treat servicing the debt as the highest priority. President Obama and the Democrats would have been glad to support a debt ceiling increase which would have prevented all this three months ago.

[tsuki]

47. Are you saying Obama lied?

Really?

[Abq_Sarah]

66. Pretty much

And a lot of people bought it.

[reformist2]

72. He can't promise that the checks will keep coming until the debt ceiling is increased.

[Abq_Sarah]

98. He can't stop them

Unless he shuts down the computer systems that generate those checks. That would have to be a deliberate action with the treasury choosing to divert incoming FICA taxes for other uses.

[Bluebear]

85. The poster said he was "fucking terrified", is that not enough for you?

Really?

[Marrah_G]

114. Do you know what it's like to have a fixed income?

To REALLY be reliant on something to survive and then have someone telling you it might not be coming?

[Bluebear]

126. +

[Tx4obama]

2. The GOP will back down, and President Obama will make sure all the checks are sent out on time. n/t

[Historic NY]

25. +1

[Skittles]

63. a cheap, SICKENING tactic

[TheWraith]

92. So let's see: if he doesn't fight dirty, he's a lousy caver. If he does, he's "sickening."

Yeah, that makes sense. After all, the angry shouting left has only spent years demanding that he "just fight!!!!" like that's a strategy. But one time he actually throws an elbow, and it's "SICKENING."

[Brickbat]

103. This wasn't fighting. This was like being in a car and my spouse is swerving the car all over the

road at 80 mph to get the kids in the back to shut up. It might work, but it sure changes the way I feel about my spouse.

[Divernan]

105. Spot on analogy!

Sort of like holding someone by their ankles and hanging them from a high window. When they scream in terror, you laugh at them. "Aw, quit whining! I'm not going to actually DROP you! I'm just doing this to make a point to someone else!"

[ecstatic]

133. Bingo! You've got it nt

[CakeGrrl]

94. Oh crap. He laid out what will happen because of the R's

Pile on when someone calls him weak, pile on when he takes the initiative to frame an argument.

Just admit you can't stand the guy under any conditions and be done with it.

[TwilightGardener]

134. People apparently don't want to hear what's at stake because of R's in Congress.

Well, this is what's at stake. I guess Obama should just tell people that no matter what, marshmallows and sunshine will always come their way. He's not Daddy, or God, for chrissakes. He can't make Republicans do their jobs or give a shit about Americans.

[Raine]

125. Exactly ... SS/Medicare should NEVER EVER be used

as a bargaining chip! :grr:

[pnwmom]

3. How do you think the Dems are playing with your life?

It's the Rethugs who would like to wipe out payments to SSI and cut payments for SS and Medicare. The reason we're close to default now is because the Dems have been fighting back -- not giving the Rethugs all the cuts they want, but insisting that some of the budget balancing comes from increasing taxes.

[Odin2005]

6. If Obama had balls he would threaten to have the treasury just print the needed money.

Wall Street will go into a panic over fears of inflation and will put pressure on the Pukes to give in.

[Zen Democrat]

14. They already have. Your check will arrive as scheduled next month.

Remember, when you're playing poker, you can't let them see you sweat. The President is an excellent poker player, so don't sweat. It's the Republicans who are desperate for raising the debt ceiling without actually looking like they want to - the McConnell plan is called "We the Idiots, Surrender."

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

16. LOL

Your check wouldn't be able to cover a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk if he did that.

[Odin2005]

22. If he had to do it a deal would come quickly enough that...

...such hyperinflation would not happen.

[Wednesdays]

139. Whattaya mean? With more money printed, we'd be rich as the Germans in 1923!

[robinlynne]

12. Obama threatened today to not send out social security checks. Obama. the Dem.

[pipi_k]

19. Well shit...can't say as I blame him...

It has to suck stuffing and licking all those envelopes by himself.

[Ruby the Liberal]

23. See post #13 and comment, please?

I have been one of the hardest on him and will bust his (metaphorical) balls over Medicare age limit increases, but what he said *today* is meaningless. BY LAW and the way the SYSTEM WORKS, not sending out SS is a non-starter and he knows it.

There is a reason he went on CBS News to "announce" this and it had nothing to do with actually doing it. If he were going to do this, he would have held a no-questions presser to warn seniors given that it is 2 weeks away. He may not be the best negotiator, but he isn't dumb. Notify the country via one media outlet? And last place CBS of all people? With an early AM interview with permission to leak before the 6:30pm air time?

Think about it for a minute. This was just another trial balloon in this nonsense we are mired in.

[pnwmom]

58. He might not have a choice. It is not at all clear how the 14th Amendment

would be interpreted by the S.C. but many people think the wording would apply to things like Treasury bonds, but not to Social Security.

I don't think he was trying to threaten anyone with what he said on S.S. He was trying to be realistic that this is the corner the Republicans are trying to box him inside.

[Igel]

71. There's a difference between a threat and scaring people.

Obviously, as the grown up, he wouldn't even think of scaring people.

As the empathetic being that he is, he couldn't possibly overlook how what he said would be taken.

Then again, there's absolutely no way he'd threaten the poor and elderly.

The only logical, and therefore real, possibility is that he never said the words.

[pnwmom]

75. We will only have 55% of the funds we need if the debt limit is not raised.

And Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid, and unemployment benefits are a huge part of the budget. It's impossible to imagine them not being affected.

[dflprincess]

79. Social Security has its own funding,

It is not part of the budget.

It does not add to the deficit.

[reformist2]

80. Not this year it doesn't!

The 2% payroll tax makes SS just as dependent on borrowed money this year as all the other programs.

[dflprincess]

81. Good point

Makes you wonder about the real motives for the payroll tax "holiday", doesn't it?

[indurancevile]

99. yes.

[sabrina 1]

89. Why would that matter when SS funds are not part of the Fed.

Budget? However, they just okayed billions more for their wars. How about he threaten that those funds will not be paid? The Republicans don't care whether or not elderly people get their money, but they DO care about their war profits.

SS should not be a part of this discussion period.

[mrmpa]

76. He didn't threaten, he said there was a possibility that the checks

would not be sent out next month.

[some guy]

96. Well, no.

Scott Pelley: Can you tell the folks at home no matter what happens that Social Security checks are going to go out on August the 3rd? There are about 20 billion dollars of Social Security checks that have to go out the day after the government is supposed to go into default.

Obama: Well this is not just a matter of Social Security checks, these are veterans checks, these are folks on disability, their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out --

Scott Pelley: Can you guarantee as President those checks will go out on August the 3rd?

Obama: I can not guarantee those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it.

It's a little vague with regard to SS specifically. The question was SS, the initial response was to expand the discussion beyond just SS, and was interrupted.

Will SS go out? It should, because it's a separate fund, or is supposed to be.

edit to add link: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/12/7068367-if-no-deal-by-aug-2-obama-cant-guarantee-social-security-checks-will-go-out

[eleny]

7. I hope that the resolution of this comes very, very soon

You don't deserve to be feeling squeezed like this.

[Ruby the Liberal]

27. McTurtle's deal would set 3 more negotiation points after today

with the 3rd being scheduled for summer of 2012.

If Obama/Dems go for this to end the impasse now, we get to go through this 3 more times before the election.

Happy to provide a link if you haven't seen the details yet.

[eleny]

49. That's how I understand the proposal, too

It's nuts, imo.

[Ruby the Liberal]

52. Especially since the Prez said no 30, 60, 90 day deals kicking the can into election season

They just gave him what he specifically said yesterday he would not accept.

[Psephos]

9. The Treasury literally does not know how to stop printing the checks.

Beyond that, it does not know how to start them up again if they should figure out the first problem.

The computer systems that generate millions of checks every single day are a nightmare of bailing wire and duct tape. No one knows how to shut the system down, because the software that runs the system isn't a system, but more like a confederacy of dunces, and there's no manual.

I say you have no problem, regardless of what the loser Congress does.

[cliffordu]

10. Not to worry.

They are NOT going to stop sending the checks.

if they do, granny is going to riot in the streets.

[Diclotican]

34. cliffordu

cliffordu

Never underestimate Old Granny, She have lived a long life, and know the irrgangs of the world better than most of us.. She might even grown up in a time when SS and Medicaid was new...

Maybe, if she is really old, she might even have lived in a time, BEFORE the New Deal.. And them who lived before New Deal, tend to never forget what it was like then.. And would fight harder than most of us, to protect SS and the other tools from New Deal and other programs thereafter..

She might even stand before Capitol Hill, and tell the congress where they should go if they was to stop the checks..

Diclotican

[kestrel91316]

57. And if she does, I will be right there beside her. And I hope every

American is.

If they fail to send out the checks, we call a national general strike.

I called for it first, right here.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Relax. It was a dirty trick, but they aren't going to stop checks. Here's why

First, It isn't a human resources/payroll issue any more and hasn't been since the mid 2000s. No one is cutting checks and licking stamps. Your Medicare comes out of your check as an automated deduction and the balance is deposited to your bank account (or prepaid debit card if you chose that option). Unemployment and WIC work the same way. It is all automated and computer generated.

Second, SS is its own fund. The President fucked up when he questioned "money in the coffers" as SS is stand-alone and at a surplus. He did that to freak people out. Right or wrong, it is legislative sausage making and it sucks either way. The fact that he misled people into thinking SS (and Medicare/Medicaid) are part of the budget/deficit debate was deplorable, but in faced with the August 2nd crisis we are facing, understand why he said that.

Your money will be there. It is constitutional. Period.

Look up the FDR quote on why he did the SS bill the way he did so that "no politician could fuck with it" in the future (paraphrasing, obviously). It details how they protected it by (i) payroll deduction while in the workforce and (ii) keeping it seperate from the budget so that it couldn't be abused for other things.

You are going to be fine. :hug:

[grasswire]

20. people still get checks in the mail

I don't know how many, but I know several in just my block who do.

[Ruby the Liberal]

31. Which are automated and computer generated

I would need to check, but it is my understanding that you only have a short period of time to convert to direct deposit or they send you a debit card and just reload it every month (prepaid card, not credit).

Even for what checks are going out the door, they are not hand generated and stamped. They are computer generated with those annoying "fold here and tear the flap" deals.

[grasswire]

60. no, there are no fold and tear flaps

They are government checks that come in an envelope.

[RebelOne]

117. Mine is direct deposit. n/t

[Odin2005]

24. I'm in my 20s, I'm not on Medicare. I get SSI because I'm a disabled adult working part time.

My SSI check comes in the mail, about $250. it covers the part of my rent not covered by Section 8.

[Ruby the Liberal]

39. It is still computer generated. Automatic.

As noted above, it would take an act of congress to shut it off (no pun intended).

I am telling you - you have nothing to be worried about, friend. If something does go wrong, post here and ask for help and you will have an army of people willing to jump on the phones and call their local/regional/national media and politicians on your behalf to get it straightened out ASAP.

I am half lying on the couch, half sitting with a cat in my lap, typing with 2 fingers to preserve balance so am just going to reference another comment: Please read post #23 before logging out for the night, aye?

Rest assured, you have nothing to sweat here. :hug:

[dflprincess]

29. Some people are still receiving paper checks

though I would expect it would be nearly as hard to shut that part of the system down as it would the automated payments.

And Obama is the one that said Social Security payments won't be made if the U.S. defaults. Strange, he said nothing about how he'll keep paying for his wars if that happens.

[Ruby the Liberal]

45. Those are still automated

They come with those annoying 'fold the flap and tear here' formats, and they are temporary. If you do not provide a direct deposit within x time, they send you a debit card and reload it when payments are due. Here, WIC and Unemployment are automatic - direct deposit or debit card. No checks will be sent (not even the first one).

As to your second comment - cat in lap, on couch balancing laptop and typing with 2 fingers: Can I refer you to comment 23 as response?

Thanks for responding. This is a horrific topic and I am nauseated that we even needed to go there.

[dflprincess]

56. The paper checks come in a regular "Dept of Treasury" envelope

I know because my brother was using my address and his SS disability checks showed up in my mailbox for just over a year. After he died in May his April check arrived, I returned it and then resent it made out to me in care of "the estate of..". But they do not come in the obnoxious envelope you describe.

But, they are going to switch everyone over to direct deposit or debit card early in 2012 or maybe it's later this year. I forget what the notice he received said - (I think that showed up in April and I knew he wouldn't be here to make the switch so I didn't worry about it).

Whoops - forgot to add. I hope you're correct in post #23 - I suspect you are. That being the case though, it was really stupid for Obama to make it sound like people wouldn't get their checks if this isn't something they have to be concerned about. He sure didn't do himself any good with a comment like that.

[Ruby the Liberal]

61. I am sorry for your loss.

[dflprincess]

65. Thank you

I appreciate that.

[Ruby the Liberal]

67. It is never easy. Edit to add:

:hug:

Edit to add - just saw your edit. Yes, had this been a national presser, I would take it seriously. Think of the actor Morgan Freeman announcing the meteor in Deep Impact. ;-)

A single, private, leaked-12-hours-before-airtime-on-one-network announcement (network who isn't even front row or regularly called on in pressroom pressers) tells me two things (i) WH owed them a marker, or vice versa and (ii) this was a trial balloon.

No way something of this impact is imminent and the WH/Dems give an exclusive to one outlet + rights to a day long leak.

[Philippine expat]

140. Actually if you just recently or are soon to sign up for

SS your check must direct deposit.
By 1 MAR 2013 all checks will be DD or the debit card.
For those on a real tight budget I urge them to use DD because of possible fees on the debit card

[Riftaxe]

32. Ahh, your no fun

going and letting the facts out and all... :P

[Ruby the Liberal]

40. Bad, bad Ruby

:spank:

[reformist2]

73. You forget that Social Security is NOT stand alone this year because of the 2% payroll tax cut.

That means even Social Security relies on government borrowing now. Sorry.

[southernyankeebelle]

15. Friend you aren't the only one. I get a soc security ck and my husband get a retirement check from

the military. We get a double wammy. I already called my republican rep and republican senator and told them that they are effecting my health worry over this. I told them to stop acting like children and I would be blaming the republicans.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madfloridian]

21. It is a reality, the anger.

It is wrong to ridicule those of us who have that anger.

[Odin2005]

26. You're so right Mad!

:hug:

[Vanje]

30. You're not angry?

You must have a fantastic , stable income, and a gorgeous lovely trouble-free life.

You probably think that "bad economy" means lines on a graph.

To a lot of us, "bad economy" means No medicine, No food, No job, Lose your house, lose your pride, Lose your hope, Lose your future, Lose your respect, Lose any chance of your children doing better than you.

If you knew what I knew, you would be angry.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

33. The OP says he's angry all the time about everything

It sort of lost it's power after the 58th time he posted how angry he was about something.

I'm angry about certain things, but if I was angry all the time, there would be no point in living.

[Vanje]

35. So I take it, You're not angry

How rarefied and wondrous it must be , to be you.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

43. You clearly didn't read what I wrote

Sorry if that's an issue for you.

[madfloridian]

38. I don't think that is true. I think this is a time for legitimate anger.

We are being manipulated. Those of us who are retired, those who are disabled, depend on what the system has been for years.

Obama only took moments to undo confidence people have felt in their government.

He should be firmly standing for SS, not intimating the checks won't come. It may be called hardball, but it's cruel.

[Odin2005]

36. If you aren't angry than you aren't paying attention.

[Liberal_in_LA]

48. +5

[Liberalynn]

148. +++++100000

[in_cog_ni_to]

37. Are you dependent on a Social Security check? Is it YOUR lifeline? If not,

I suggest you look up the word "EMPATHY" or maybe "sympathy" in the dictionary...perhaps Google could be your friend. What a shitty thing to say to someone who has to depend on their SS check to live. My G-d. Shame on you. You're a Democrat? I highly doubt that....though the parties ARE starting to blur, so I suppose you could be one of those Blue Doggers. :(

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

44. I'd take it more seriously.....

....if he wasn't angry about loud music......cheese sandwiches.....people.

[in_cog_ni_to]

55. Why should that matter. He's worried about getting his check so he can LIVE...you know, eat food,

pay bills, and buy medicine. That's what this OP was about. My heart goes out to him. That has got to be the most frightening feeling in the world...not knowing where your next meal will come from. It's absolutely pathetic that ANYONE in this country has to worry about that...and needlessly so because Obama didn't HAVE TO make that threat, but he did. He didn't have to put SS on the table, but he did. Think of all the senior citizens who have nothing but that check to live on every month. Think of how they felt when they heard today that they may not get that check next month. The maneuver was a disgusting thing to do to dependents of SS, IMCPO.

[Odin2005]

74. When was I angry about cheese sandwiches?

:shrug:

[Bluebear]

93. I'm sure he's devastated by your lack of concern.

[emilyg]

42. Open your eyes.

[slipslidingaway]

51. Never noticed that before of the poster, Obama probably scared hundreds of thousands ...

of people who depend on those checks to pay rent and buy food.

Why did the Dems not push the issue of raising the debt ceiling when they extended the Bush tax cuts.

[BeFree]

28. You'll get a check

It just won't be worth as much. It won't be worth much at all in the future if the republcans have their way with the 'Full Faith and Credit' idea that is propping up the house of cards.


And the pukies are trying like hell to pull cards out from the bottom of the stack!

[bahrbearian]

41. If Obama was a true liberal he would have said ' I guarantee that the SS checks will still go out"

He is trying to scare people for their support, thats not leadership.

[Skittles]

46. ABSOLUTELY CORRECT

this is utter fucking cowardice

[slipslidingaway]

54. + 1000. n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

59. That is the smartest thing I've read all day! SPOT ON!

I couldn't agree more. This was such a mean thing to do and it was NEEDLESS.

[Tallulah]

68. Thank you

That's the exact thing I told someone today after getting a call of near hysteria. What Obama did today was wrong. Instead of reassuring, he sent an old lady into a panic. I don't like that at all.

[pnwmom]

77. How can he? When we will only have funds for 55% of our budget

if the debt ceiling isn't raised?

[bahrbearian]

82. The funds are supposed to be there ,all that is needed is to pay people to handel the transaction.

and most of the transactions are done electronically.

[Bluebear]

86. Good lord.

[Divernan]

106. Did you pull that number out of your nether regions? Got a link?

[pecwae]

102. This is a post

that should go to the WH.

[Raine]

127. EXACTLY! nt

[Snoutport]

50. Hey there--you've inspired me to write a letter to Obama

And my reps. There is a high price to letting this all become a crisis.

It will be OK though--I have confidence SS checks will go out.

[Raschel]

87. I'm not so sure. I may have been years ago, but not now. I'm especially concerned that SS keeps

getting thrown out there in the talking points. The camel's nose is in the tent, and it makes the future look very uncertain for SS.

[CakeGrrl]

95. What does POTUS have to do with this? The R's would not raise the debt ceiling.

This is on THEM.

[Divernan]

107. No. POTUS was the one who made the empty & false threat.

[unkachuck]

53. I share your concern, Odin2005....

"...be they Dem or Puke, playing with people's lives."

....for some of us, me included, Social Security is all we have and fucking with Social Security is no joking matter....it's food on our plate, it's paying the electric bill, it's a visit to the dentist or doctor....

....mess with Social Security and we'll be forced to vote for ANYONE who promises not to....

[Skittles]

62. Odin

you'll be fine - that was just an utterly cheap political ploy - utterly DISGUSTING

[madfloridian]

64. Ignore those in this thread who put you down for your concerns.

I have them, we all do. They are real fears about things people depend on. They should not play games with us.

[totodeinhere]

83. I wouldn't want to put anyone down for their concerns. But seriously,

if Social Security and SSI checks don't go out next month, there will be a political earthquake the likes of which we have never seen. It just can't happen and it won't happen. If you don't believe me, bookmark this thread and then we can come back next month and see who was right.

[madfloridian]

84. For ages even Dems have talked about need to "reform" SS.

It is not fair to seniors to keep doing this. Democrats are supposed to stand up and loudly say it is untouchable.

They are not doing that. They are playing word games. They are actually already cutting future payments by lowering the payroll tax. We will pay dearly for that later.

Democrats protect Social Security, they do not cave in to such changes.

[totodeinhere]

90. I was talking about the fear that Social Security checks won't go out next month.

Cutting Social Security by a certain percentage while continuing to pay out some level of benefits, or raising the retirement age, or cutting back COLA's are one thing. But not sending out any checks at all is something else. And I think you are painting with too broad a brush. Plenty of Democrats are standing up and defending Social Security. But unfortunately, we don't know for sure where the leader of the party, President Obama stands.

[Raschel]

124. Minnesota state workers will not receive backpay after the shutdown is over. It can happen.

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/07/state_workers_no_backpay_during_minnesota_shutdown.php

[Bluebear]

88. Thank you. My sentiments exactly, odin and floridian

[Tallulah]

69. You were not the only one upset

Just know it won't happen. You'll get your check.

I thought better of Obama. Now I'm just pissy. He should have talked to Grandma himself after that nasty stunt. Damn him.

[mmonk]

70. It will come in. This is all political theater created to make people

accept false choices.

[Divernan]

108. This was a calculated Psy-ops torture of seniors, not "theater"

[mmonk]

110. To me, it is all the same.

[WCGreen]

78. I could last two months without real damage to my financial situation...

But after that...

Dire straights.

Kick and Rec...

[RebelOne]

118. Fortunately, I could last a year if worse comes to worse.

But after that, as you said: Dire straits.

[Cereal Kyller]

97. Kick!

This needs to be seen by the ENTIRE forum.

[AngryOldDem]

100. Both sides are playing a dangerous game of chicken....

and a pox on both their houses. As you said these are LIVES they are fucking with.

I don't know what the motivation was behind Obama's comments yesterday, other than a huge scare tactic aimed at those who can't do a damned thing about this mess, but I do know that McConnell, Boehner and their ilk couldn't give two shits about the people who depend on SSI. All they want is to destroy whatever's left of the Obama presidency, even if that means destroying the country itself.

Just fucking INSANE.

[Urban Prairie]

104. When I became disabled 4 years ago, my ex-employer (USPS) told me that although my application for

disability retirement benefits had been approved, I still was required to apply for SSD, and if approved, then they would only be responsible for the balance of 40% of my averaged annual earnings, using my "high three" years over the course of my 20+ years of employment. I also was employed by a railroad for about 15 years, prior to being employed by the USPS. So I did as they requested, and was approved by SS for disability benefits on my first attempt. So I believe that the USPS and the RRRB would be on the hook for making up the difference in income, due to the (unlikely) event that my monthly SSD income was to be temporarily halted, but any "delay" would likely have to span a period that would be more than just a month or two. Absent SSD income for even just one month would mean that I would NOT be able to pay our monthly doctor bills, Rx drugs, rent, auto insurance, or our utility bills.

But despite the unlikelihood that SS, SSD, SSDI distributions would temporarily cease, the sociopathic, genocidal, global corporate capitalist whore Rethugs are obviously hell-bent on ultimately getting rid of ALL government programs and services, and will still be plotting together to try to figure out how and when they can introduce and pass legislation meant to eliminate them, and as a result, inevitably killing off millions, if not tens of tens of millions in the US who are now, or sooner or later will be partly or completely on the federal dole, w/o making it appear like they are directly responsible for doing so.

[Divernan]

109. And Obama has made it abundantly clear that SS/SSI/Medicare/Medicaid are always on the table

It's like a big bunch of carrots that he has waved under the GOP's collective nose. So the GOP didn't bite this time? The GOP knows that Obama is willing to put cuts to these programs in play whenever the stakes are appealing enough to him and the MIC/Pentagon/Big Corporate Donors.

[Marrah_G]

113. You should not have to be worrying about this.

It's just not right.

[bvar22]

116. Are you "terrified" enough so that...

..if you received one with only a 15% cut,
you would be grateful?


Aside from that, how are you enjoying the Kabuki Theater?
Can you appreciate the precise Timing & Choreography ?

Unfortunately, I've seen this one before,
and it doesn't end well for the Working Class, the Retired, and the Poor.

Cherish your memories, SUCKER!
because we're TAKING everything else!
Hahahahahahaha!

[tuckessee]

119. Small price to pay to spread freedom-laden shrapnel around the world.

Just remember all those pretty purple thumbs that represent the dawn of freedom and justice in Iraq. Just think of the glorious Lybian rebels who watch starry-eyed as US taxpayer paid-for cruise missiles explode on the horizon.

Americans must sacrifice so that others can be so fortunate to be killed by the greatest military in history.

[Divernan]

120. The honor of shortening our lives to finance$4.5 million dollar drones!

[mistertrickster]

122. If that happened, there'd be MASSIVE BACKLASH and the Dems

would sweep every election in 2012 . . .

[B Calm]

123. What's nect?

[JuniperLea]

129. You've seriously never seen big ticket items go on the block before? Really?

Homeowners go through this very same ritual every few years when there is talk of ending a tax break on mortgage interest... and when CA voters get the business over Prop 13 every few years.... and when the Pubbies trot out abortion... these are wedge issues. This is nothing new.

It got you moving didn't it? It worked, right?

[Forkboy]

130. "It got you moving didn't it?"

It terrified him. I suppose that's movement. From a comfort zone to out of one.

I'm going to point a gun at your head to make a point to someone, but don't worry, it's just to get you moving, I won't really pull the trigger.

You understand. :thumbsup:

[JuniperLea]

135. Yeah, cuz those things are all alike...

And you've never ever heard of wedge issues being trotted out during an election cycle... no way... never happens.

:crazy:

[Forkboy]

141. The analogy is correct.

And you've never ever heard of wedge issues being trotted out during an election cycle... no way... never happens.

No shit? Really? Thanks for the deduction, Sherlock. Doesn't change my analogy a single iota. Sorry it was too deep for you.

[JuniperLea]

142. And I'm sorry...

That your insults are such weak tea... must be that your message is as well or you could have afforded to take the high ground.

[Forkboy]

143. You talking about high ground is like Cheney talking about peace.

And if my insults are weak tea, yours aren't even tap water.

[JuniperLea]

145. I know you are but what am I?

Really?

Eat your peas.

[Forkboy]

146. I like spaghetti better, a little garlic bread on the side.

Maybe a nice side salad to go with it.

This was your best post yet....

[barbtries]

131. don't be terrified.

it will be there. if it isn't, let us know. you'll be okay.

breathe.

now being pissed, absolutely. it's all a crock of SHIT. but your check will be there; fear will not make it be there if it will not.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

132. Your check will be there. As will all the others who receive them.

This is nothing more than raising the political heat on the Republicans. They're being forced into a corner as their being assaulted by their own voters calls, emails and letters.

We're the ones who always complain that the GOP always get their way and we always cave. Well, they're not getting their way yet this time, and by Zeus the WH is playing hardball like I've not seen before.

It's a bloody shame this is what it takes to get peoples attention, but it appears it is exactly what it took. Now not only are you and I talking about this issue, so is the MSM and everyone else in the country.

[ZombieHorde]

136. I'm sorry. All I have for you is a cyber-hug...

:hug:

I hope everything works out for us poor folk.

[Odin2005]

138. Thanks.

[Name removed]

147. Deleted message

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