[nabs-l] [Nfbnet-members-list] Threw Our Eyes interview, Ride into History, Race for Independence, Wed. June 22, 8:00 pm EDT

[Kirt Manwaring]

Carley,
  Where I come from, I'm pretty far to the left as is, even though I'm
definitely right of center.  I, for one, can't wait for the day when
I'm making my own paycheck and contributing back into social
security-the system's got a lot of problems, but it's definitely
better than nothing.  Anyways I've said my peace so this is the last
message I'm sending on this thread.
  All the best,
Kirt

On 6/25/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Joseph,
>   You make great points, and I really do feel for you.  That's
> aweful...like, maybe get a social security lawyer kind of aweful.
>   All I'm saying is, the way the system is intended to work (and the
> way it works for a lot of us), SSI is necessary income.  I'm using it
> so I don't starve through school; the minute I get out and find a
> full-time job, I'm saying goodbye to my SSI for good.  That's how it
> should be-use it to get yourself able to work then cut the cord.  I
> know lots of people abuse it, I know it's poorly managed, and I know
> you're getting screwed by the system.  But the way I see it, it's
> designed to be a boost up to equality, not a handout.  Of course,
> everyone doesn't use it that way.
>   In any case, best of luck.  I hope things work out for you.  For
> what it's worth, I'm sorry you're going through all this crap.
>   Best wishes,
> Kirt
>
> On 6/25/11, T. Joseph Carter <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Kirt,
>>
>> Social Security and SSI are still a handout, and they come with
>> strings attached that make getting off of them pretty difficult.
>> Especially if you live in subsidized housing, collect food stamps,
>> receive utility subsidies, etc.  If you do and you go and find
>> yourself a job that doesn’t pay enough, you will have a sudden net
>> reduction in your income that already doesn’t pay the bills.
>>
>> I’ve decided I’m getting off this roller coaster even if it makes me
>> homeless in the process, because I’m sick and tired of living in fear
>> that they might take away my benefits!  I’ve gotten three letters to
>> that effect in the past two years, in the midst of cancer treatment
>> for two of them, all with the customary 30 day appeal I’d better take
>> advantage of if I want to be able to survive another month!
>>
>> I’m tired of getting paid to NOT work.  I’m tired of living in places
>> where the government intrudes upon my home three times a year to make
>> sure my landlord isn’t complete pond scum (but allowing them to be
>> one level removed from pond scum!)  I’m tired of being told that if I
>> start working, my rent will suddenly be 120% of what anybody in their
>> right might would ever pay for this dump.  And I’m tired of being
>> told that they’re sorry, but I just don’t qualify for the work
>> incentives, or the better medical coverage, or the exemptions that
>> might possibly allow me to save a few hundred dollars with which to
>> actually get out of here!
>>
>> Your not-a-handout Social Security and SSI have made slaves of far
>> too many of us.  Perfectly able to work, but afraid to try for fear
>> that we’ll lose what little we’ve got.  We are trapped in a prison of
>> learned helplessness, and the only way out is to see these things—all
>> of them—for what they are: Government handouts designed to keep us
>> docile, afraid, and living in poverty.
>>
>> I’m done playing that game.
>>
>> Joseph
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 09:13:21AM -0600, Kirt Manwaring wrote:
>>>Carley,
>>>  First off, I've done a bit of really light research and I was way
>>>liberal about what I thought the cost of this would be.  It's probably
>>>going to be in the neighborhood of $100 million, so I was way off.
>>>That'll teach me not to make outlandish statements with no proof.
>>>  But still, the point I made in my last message stands.  Of course I
>>>don't want the government to write out a check for all of us-I was
>>>trying to point out that trying to make all the cash out there more
>>>"blind-friendly" is not necessary.  Just like we don't need government
>>>handouts (I'm not counting SSI as a government handout because that's
>>>money lots of us genuinely need), we don't need the government
>>>spending $100 million redesigning currency we can already use with
>>>pretty much no problem.  Honestly, if you think you can't afford an
>>>iBill, there's probably something you're buying with your $680 a month
>>>that you really don't need.
>>>  Just a thought,
>>>Kirt
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>>
>