Poor Elderly in Maine Are Danged Cold!

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:25 am

This is the stuff that upsets me. That people have to live impoverished like this.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/us/24 ... ?th&emc=th

el guapo · Post by **el guapo** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:28 am

in uk pensioners get a winter payment of £200$400per couple

to help with the cost of heating

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:56 am

This is exactly why its essential that you take charge of your finances. Its never too early to plan ahead. Max out your 401K. Save. Invest. Be smart.

Indian Princess · Post by **Indian Princess** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:51 pm

Thats government

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:42 pm

Indian Princess;724961 wrote: Thats government

What is?

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:44 pm

Nomad;724668 wrote: This is exactly why its essential that you take charge of your finances. Its never too early to plan ahead. Max out your 401K. Save. Invest. Be smart.

DITTO

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 8:47 pm

RedGlitter;724651 wrote: This is the stuff that upsets me. That people have to live impoverished like this.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/us/24 ... ?th&emc=th

So what's one to do about it?

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 9:54 pm

Even though my poor mom was in resthome, she has been gone for five years now. I anm glad she is gone now, because the home up here are terreible.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:13 am

Nomad;724668 wrote: This is exactly why its essential that you take charge of your finances. Its never too early to plan ahead. Max out your 401K. Save. Invest. Be smart.

Easy to say when you have the kind of job that leaves lots left over to save with. If you don't have a steady income saving is nigh on impossible.

MILBRIDGE, Me. — They have worked since their teens in backbreaking seasonal jobs, extracting resources from the sea and the forest. Their yards are filled with peeling boats and broken lobster traps

“One of our biggest problems is convincing people to take help, said Eleanor West, director of services for the Washington Hancock Community Agency, a federally chartered nonprofit group. “I tell them, ‘You worked hard all your life and paid taxes and are getting back a little of what you paid in.’

Don't know what a 401K is but I bet most of those in the article were more than half way through their working life when it was introduced. pensioners never used to be a problem because old people had the good grace to just die in their sixties rather than live to be in their seventies.

In europe we have similar demographic time bomb that our politicians hope will go away.

posted by BTS

So what's one to do about it?

That's a debate that as Americans you need to have amongst yourselves. Tough **** you're poor is not much of an answer to anything.

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:16 am

Nomad;724668 wrote: This is exactly why its essential that you take charge of your finances. Its never too early to plan ahead. Max out your 401K. Save. Invest. Be smart.

So, tough crap for these people because they didn't plan ahead?

Maybe they did plan ahead. Maybe they did put money in the bank while they were working. Maybe they made sure that their homes were paid off before they were too old to work. I seriously doubt that the changes that have come in just the last 5 years Who in the world would have thought that the price of crude would ever reach $100 a barrel?

My mom is a pretty money savvy woman. She made sure that when she retired, almost 10 years ago, she would have enough money to pay all of her bills, take care of her animals, eat well and travel some. Nothing extravagent, but comfortable.

Because the cost of fuel has gone up so much - both heating and gas for her vehicle - she no longer has the extra to travel as she would like and expensive emergencies cause her to have to live from "paycheck" to "paycheck".

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:54 am

So, tough crap for these people because they didn't plan ahead?

I didnt say tough crap. I have an enormous amount of empathy for people that struggle. I like kitties and bunnies too.

My point was that because these things can and do happen its essential and required that you take a personal responsibility to do everything within your power to assure it doesnt. You do what you are able to do to help yourself.

As far as people that dont or cant or wont (and there are some of those)

or have catastrophic illnesses that deplete savings or you have more children than you can afford or whatever, I dont know. I dont know how to help those people.

I do know that the govt better get its head out of its ass and get SS squared away. They have no right screwing around with peoples lives like that.

SS should be considered sacred even though its meant as a supplement its a primary source of income for many.

Our govt should hang its collective head in shame over the fact that there even is a crisis.

Better yet just fix it !!!

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:06 am

Thank goodness I misunderstood. Like everyone else - I love Nomie!

I am afraid that our society has become so very "Me" oriented that others fall to the wayside. Many donate money to causes but don't take the extra step of having to actually deal with the people the money is for.

This was driven home to me on Friday night. My car broke down. I managed to get onto a side street with it but that was the end of my luck. And there I sat, for 45 minutes waiting for a ride. It was 20 degrees outside and not one of the 11 vehicles that drove down that street right past me stopped to see if I needed help. As I sat there shivering in the dark, cold car, I couldn't help but think what would happen if I was elderly or had left my cell phone at home.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:12 am

LilacDragon;725228 wrote: Thank goodness I misunderstood. Like everyone else - I love Nomie!

I am afraid that our society has become so very "Me" oriented that others fall to the wayside. Many donate money to causes but don't take the extra step of having to actually deal with the people the money is for.

This was driven home to me on Friday night. My car broke down. I managed to get onto a side street with it but that was the end of my luck. And there I sat, for 45 minutes waiting for a ride. It was 20 degrees outside and not one of the 11 vehicles that drove down that street right past me stopped to see if I needed help. As I sat there shivering in the dark, cold car, I couldn't help but think what would happen if I was elderly or had left my cell phone at home.

Sadly but with good cause people are afraid.

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:07 pm

gmc;725180 wrote:

posted by BTS

Quote:

So what's one to do about it?

That's a debate that as Americans you need to have amongst yourselves. Tough **** you're poor is not much of an answer to anything..

Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

There are many programs that are available if one just looks for them including HELP from ones own family..........

But back to the pot and kettle.

It seems that in your Scotland compared to the senior poverty rate in my America is way higher

The American rate for all seniors is 7.8% (% is equal to the working age's of 18-64)

Whilst in Scotland it is around 18%

Wow double and then some.:yh_questn

The whole thing boils down to these hit pieces spread how terrible America is to their own seniors and how we don't OOPS better put in your in your words "Tough **** you're poor .........."

I ask again?

What is one to do about it when the help is here in America if you look for it.

Here are a few links:

Welcome to the homepage of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)!

HMMM this one is funded by MY taxes!!!!!!!!

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):

Here is the locater link for anything under the sun to keep an American (or most illegal aliens) from freezing or starving

Oh well you get my point

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:48 pm

A friend sent this to me the other day, don't know if it's real or not. But if it turns out to work for the younger folks, it may be the answer to the old timers problems too! :wah::p:rolleyes:

Important Letter:

Becoming Illegal(Actual letter from an Iowa resident and sent to his senator)

The Honorable Tom Harkin

731 Hart Senate Office Building

Phone (202) 224 3254

Washington DC, 20510

Dear Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me t o you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get

the process started before everyone figures it out. Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,

Donald Ruppert

&n bsp; Burlington , IA

Get your Forms (NOW)!! Call your Internal Revenue Service 1-800-289-1040.

Please pass this onto your friends so they can save on this great offer!!!!

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:42 am

BTS;725703 wrote: Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

There are many programs that are available if one just looks for them including HELP from ones own family..........

But back to the pot and kettle.

It seems that in your Scotland compared to the senior poverty rate in my America is way higher

The American rate for all seniors is 7.8% (% is equal to the working age's of 18-64)

Whilst in Scotland it is around 18%

Wow double and then some.:yh_questn

The whole thing boils down to these hit pieces spread how terrible America is to their own seniors and how we don't OOPS better put in your in your words "Tough **** you're poor .........."

I ask again?

What is one to do about it when the help is here in America if you look for it.

Here are a few links:

Welcome to the homepage of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)!

HMMM this one is funded by MY taxes!!!!!!!!

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):

Here is the locater link for anything under the sun to keep an American (or most illegal aliens) from freezing or starving

Oh well you get my point

I don't know enough about the US to make a reasonable comparison of the two systems and I don't really see the point in making it. I didn't actually mean anything more by that comment other than it is a debate you need to have amongst yourselves. I just find it interesting. There does seem to be a general attitude in the US that if you are poor then it is because you can't or won't do anything about it and it's entirely your own fault for being lazy-which may or may not be the case as I'm just going by the tone of some of the posts and occasional trawls through the internet. I find the difference in attitude is interesting. We see it as a function of govt to make things better for people- help people help themselves as it were. So, for instance, in areas where industries have died out, like the coal mining and heavy industry, gov. is expected to help regenerate the area not just ignore the situation.

As to scotland I'm well aware of the situation social welfare is big issue in our elections especially the NHS and issues like pensions and poverty. Charity has an important function but for people to be solely dependent on it is degrading and a reflection on our society. There's no sympathy for scroungers but many get annoyed at suggestions people choose to live in poor conditions. Quite a few of the electorate grew up in council housing estates and lived through periods of mass unemployment and know what it feels like while most now might own their own homes and be a lot better off govt is still judged on how much it cares about these things. Maybe we just demand more from those we elect while Americans seem to argue over whether they have the right to demand or expect anything in the first place.

Apparent self seeking Indifference is one of the reasons the Tories are almost hated and Labour are going the same way and have suffered at the polls because of it. For the first time in fifty years the labour have lost their grip on Scotland. That's why Gordon Brown put off the election at least imo -the very real possibility labour would lose in Scotland-if they do then they lose control of government.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:53 am

GMC

There does seem to be a general attitude in the US that if you are poor then it is because you can't or won't do anything about it and it's entirely your own fault for being lazy-which may or may not be the case as I'm just going by the tone of some of the posts and occasional trawls through the internet.

I of course cant speak for anyone but myself but if I could make an assumption Id say thats very far from true.

Generally speaking Republicans may lean more this way because they live and breathe $. Its their priority. But even so Im sure that most of them dont kick homeless people on their way to work.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:40 am

Nomad;725803 wrote: GMC

There does seem to be a general attitude in the US that if you are poor then it is because you can't or won't do anything about it and it's entirely your own fault for being lazy-which may or may not be the case as I'm just going by the tone of some of the posts and occasional trawls through the internet.

I of course cant speak for anyone but myself but if I could make an assumption Id say thats very far from true.

Generally speaking Republicans may lean more this way because they live and breathe $. Its their priority. But even so Im sure that most of them dont kick homeless people on their way to work.

Course they don't all those soft hearted liberals have made it very non PC haven't they? Bet they get the police to move them on instead:sneaky:

Are you allowed to make political jokes in the US of A nowadays or do you just elect them:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl (sorry, couldn't resist the temptation)