Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

madamesilverspurs

(16,032 posts)
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 03:16 PM Aug 2016

A note from a loser. Or is it moocher?

Oh goody, it’s “redetermination” time again! Those who rely, for any reason, on government assistance programs know what that portends. Essentially, it means the annual ceding of your dignity and relevance as a human being, necessarily delivering it into the hands of some anonymous entity whose designated purpose is limited to dotting the i and crossing the t. In their pursuit of their laughably misidentified “fiscal” responsibility Republicans have been relentless in their efforts to strip any vestiges of dignity from the disabled and anyone else suffering the kinds of hardship that compel requests for assistance; to that end, Republicans have labeled us “losers and moochers”, in direct opposition to the scriptural references they gleefully misinterpret as justification for their demeaning actions against the unfortunate.

There is no corner of your life to which you can deny their eyes. If they knock, you have to let them in. Accompanying the pages of forms that must be filled out is one entitled “Notice of Privacy Practices”, which is actually a full-page small font listing of all the persons and agencies with whom they are free to share your most personal details; at the bottom of that page is this gem: “We may share your health information to authorized federal officials for activities related to national security and special investigations.” And regardless of the hardship that drives your circumstances, you MUST sign that permission. This is where congressional Republicans’ “compassionate conservatism” has brought us.

Here’s a thought: Instead of the insulting “Make America Great Again”, how about we all work together to “Let America Care Again”. It would be more in keeping with who we say we are.


x-posted from GD



.

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A note from a loser. Or is it moocher? (Original Post) madamesilverspurs Aug 2016 OP
Adding to the WTF --- madamesilverspurs Aug 2016 #1

madamesilverspurs

(16,032 posts)
1. Adding to the WTF ---
Sat Aug 13, 2016, 02:18 PM
Aug 2016

You'd think that the designation of "permanently disabled" would cause some notice of the meaning of the word permanent. Nothing with the condition changes, yet the bureaucratic dance is still demanded.

What does change? Rent increases on housing that is decreasing in availability, food stamps are cut while the price of food rises, public transportation fares increase while some routes are removed from service.

Meanwhile, Social Security COLAs remain stagnant while those who could fix that continue to draw hefty paychecks as they consider cutting benefits.

.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Working Poor»A note from a loser. Or ...