Who Are You?

"...you are not better than us because you were born in a healthy body."

Sick is not an if question, its a when question. It eventually catches up to all of us.

Sandy, I could hear the frustration, anger, and exhaustion in this article . Thank you for making me aware of MoveOn's activities today. I am fortunate that my representative truly works for the good of his constituents, unlike the others from NC. I'm afraid we have three more years of Bush's Hell before anything changes for the better. I am about to enter my fourth year of appeals for Social Security Disability. Your article touched me in so many ways. Thank you Sandy for never accepting the status quo.

I live with that everyday thru my wife. It is life changing and a serious constant mental wieght.
Thanks for being so straight forward with it.

Passionatley said. Now, if more would express their feelings and not simply follow their leaders like lambs to the slaugther the change that MoveON advocates would be a reality.

Keep speaaking out Sandy it may seem futile at times but everytime one more pair of eyes reads your message it grows stronger.

Felix

Sandy, you talked yesterday of the 'bully' who avoided three me to seek you out for a confrontation. It would seem that the schoolyard bullies have grown up but not grown. I have a sticker that reads....comfort the afflicted.....afflict the comfortable....keep pokin"

Sandy, you are not alone! Take some of my strength, and rest a while, keep writing! Felix is right, every time someone reads your message it pays forward stronger. Thanks for sharing.

Sandy, it just amazes me how we are so blessed in this country if we're healthy, and have a good job, and then we have no safety net for those who so desparately need it. And we blame them for their plight. We must not harden our hearts, and we must take action too. I also am thnkful for MOVEON and it's pricking of our conscience.

"We're in your hell. Who does that make you?"

this is deep, sandy. heavyweight stuff.

bless you.

~~

We call it a "reverse Robin Hood" budget because it takes Bush's habit of robbing from the poor and middle class to pay back his wealthy supporters to new heights. Here's some of the highlights of how Bush's plan would effect us all:1

* Social Security: Bush is trying to use the budget to sneak through his old $700 billion dollar plan to privatize Social Security and immediately slash benefits by $6.3 billion dollars.
* Health Care: Bush would slash Medicaid by $13.7 billion over 5 years, abandoning millions of young, elderly, poor and disabled Americans who depend on Medicaid as their health care option of last resort.
* Education: Bush is pushing for the largest cut in the history of the Department of Education, and to completely eliminate the Perkins loan, a vital program for college students in need.
* Child care: Bush wants to kick 400,000 children out of child care programs for low income working families.
* Budget busting tax breaks for the rich: Bush's budget would only continue to explode the deficit by giving away over $900 billion dollars to richest 1% of the population over 10 years.
* Deeper debt: Bush wants to give so much away to millionaires that even after his service cuts the annual deficit would grow by almost $200 billion dollars

sign up

Thank you, Sandy - twice today your words have caused my eyes to well up......

thank you for bringing this to light.
As a sufferer of grave's disease and no hope of disabilty payments I understand completely!

This made me think of my neighbor who had cancer through his whole body... 1% chance of survival... 5 years later he is cancer free and alive...
his boss 5 years ago fired him while he was under going cancer treatment.. 2 years later that guy got prostate cancer... FATE

Good work! As someone who was injured at work, who the worker's comp system has totally failed, and who has to find myself a new career because I now can't do my old one, I now know what it's like to be abandoned by the system. A few years ago, I was one of the lucky ones. Illness or injury can happen to anyone, and we are a society. We Americans should find a way to take care of each other.

Thank you Sandy. We truly are forgotten and dismissed by people that should know better.

Great stuff Sandy, but you have made me realise hoe right I was to mock disability in a book a few years ago. You see if we can laugh at ourselves we make even the most toxic free enterprise fan look small. The book did fairly well though I spoiled it by insisting a free e-book version be available to download, but the main achievement was that I helped change health service attitudes to recovery from stroke, particularly the nonsense about progress in recover being restricted to the first six months.
And by laughing at my own predicament I taught a lot of people to laugh at theirs.
So now you have inspired me to bring it to gather. I will post the intro and links to each chapter.
Thanks for giving me a kick up the arse.
love
Ian

Wow. That IS powerful stuff. A bit melodramatic, but I like melodrama...

Hope it gets the attention it deserves, but I doubt it.

The elections are the only things we have to kick out those who aren't looking after our best interests. If your representatives are reverse Robin Hoods (would that be Sheriffs of Nottingharm?), make sure you support their opponents in the next election.

Be vocal, get your neighbors and friends to vote too.

Good stuff, Sandy!

Already done, Sandy. Moveon.org is a great help for us all.

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your concern for others - at least until I get to Louis. Can't say I appreciate your concern for others at all, Louis, but I do appreciate the time you spent reading my article and responding. Maybe it's a language thing, maybe an inability to read between the lines (what came from the heart), but I think it's rather obvious who I'm speaking to in my article. Political party affiliation doesn't matter. Siel zapato se sirve.
What to you say to the Americans now whose tax money is supporting the Cuban immigrants (I'll assume you're ancient and got none of that yourself). If you can live with yourself, and your "I am generous with people that I know & love", that's all that matters. I spent my life giving to the world, because I was born with higher goals. You, sir, have the right to life, liberty, & the pursuit of ugliness if that's what makes you happy. I do thank you for being honest. I'll add your name to the list (very short list) of people who have actually said to my face I deserve to suffer because I'm sick. I will return the favor and tell you I'm not very happy to meet you either.

god damn it! what kind of world do we live in? rich people who will step over the poor to maintain their wealth???? politicians who figure, to get, you have to give, but they give it all.
i honestely don't know if i can take it anymore.

Sandy, he failed to mention the years of tax and social security that you personally paid in to system.

I do not care if this draws negative criticism to me or not for what I am about to say here.

I was born and raised on the East Coast - and saw first-hand a goodly number of Puerto Rican and Cuban men hanging around in groups in the streets, and out of windows, drinking beer and not working; their women and children poorly clothed and skinny. The men stuck together, that's for sure. Every day, I walked to school - just a youngster, beginning at age 10, to the humiliating sound of cat-calls as I hurried by. And then, God, how they laughed and punched each other on the shoulder. I called them pigs. I do recall even spitting at them as I got older, which was a blow to the Hispanic male pride; that they did not like - but I did like it. Being half Puerto Rican myself, I felt ashamed of that side of me and would not admit to it, no matter what. I resolved never to stoop that low in my life.

So, Sandy, I'm not too surprised at the attitude demonstrated in that poster. It is a mindset; self-serving and to hell with everyone but them.
Don't worry, one way or another, there will be a reckoning for those of that sort; if not in this life, then in the next.

Thank you, Joyce and Nancy. I appreciate your support, Joyce. No, he didn't mention the years I paid into the system, but I don't expect that from someone who admits he's heartless up front. I pity him for something he chooses, and that's something he can't even give me for something I didn't choose. One big advantage I have is that I can't lose what I treasure most. Those who are so attached to their hard-earned money can't say the same.

sandy - no one can get it, when they're on the other side. i am so sorry - you wrote a very powerful article and it touched me. thank you.

In the U.S. it is a crime to be poor. That is not the case in other countries. I hate but understand the reality you present. Capitalism is the party of this country, not the donkeys or the elephants.

Sandy - You do good work, and I stand in awe of your fortitude and fearlessness. Don't ever stop - you were given your gift for a reason!

This is a very thought provoking article. I am glad to see that there are people who are willing to stand up and speak up about the bad choices being made in political offices today.

I can't really say I'm the perfect American. I left the United States for Canada in 2001, and am almost a permenant resident. (Oh dear gods, what a battle that has been.) It really pains me to see what the american people go through. My mother is in the States, and I wish I could get her out for the same reason: She can't get the medicine she needs, and can't afford it either. And she is allergic to the new medicine they gave her. (Cheap crap, to boot.)

The Canadian health care system isn't perfect, but I thank my lucky stars and thank god that I can go to the doctor at anytime, whip out a card, and get treatment.

I wish that everyone in the states could enjoy that. :(

You're very strong and brave to post your thoughts. I hope things improve for everyone down there. And I hope that the American People wake up and never elect (or re-elect) such a creep again.

Sandy,

How wonderful and powerful this was. My husband is on disability... or was.. you see it is cut off now that he has been in jail for more than thirty days. He is in jail cause he missed his five weekends (because of health issues.) I have had it sandy... we flooded this judge with nearly fifty letters of my husbands situation and his character... the judge saw fit to address it today...(I suppose to seem concerned) it lasted about five minutes.. it was for show of course.. I dont think letters help anymore.. there is no justice.. it is a lie made up to keep us in line. Poverty is a crime.. being less..weither ill or poor or just illiterate.. you fall between the cracks.. i am so sorry for you.. i am so sorry for me.. i am more sorry for my children... death would be better.. at least no one would tell us we are less...

I find the only answer for me is to do what I can do individually. And I can't look at the big picture anymore; it kills me.

Brava, Sandy!

Jessie, thanks. I did get it before it was me, and I'm so grateful that I'm not having to eat words now. I know I'm extreme in my views, but I guess I was born a socialist and would always give away to the point I hurt myself. The only thing I could possibly regret would be if my children held that against me, and I don't think they do. I realize I'm extreme, and don't expect everyone to be like me, just wish the Louises of this world were enough like me to now be so cavalier about people who are suffering. I'm really much better off right now than many people in this country. I'm not hungry, I'm not cold, I'm not scared, and I'm happy. That's a lot.

Kathryn, you're right. It is a crime to be poor in this country, and the ways in which people are pounded father down once they've fallen is inexcusable. I'm afraid it'll be a rude awakening for many of the people who 'think' supporting these tax cuts for the highest bracket either makes them appear wealthy, or ensures that American dream they're holding out for. Many of them are going to tumble if things don't change. Pension plans aren't safe, our creditors could call in their markers, the stock market isn't secure... not many are safe. Until a few years ago, I owned everything I had - my home, my car, and everything between, with no debt. It's only because I was in that situation, with a savings and a retirement account that I survived several years with no income and no health insurance. From what I hear, that's not how most Americans are living, and the average household wouldn't survive six months with no income. It's an ugly situation that most don't want to think about, but illness or disability (or loss of job) can hit anyone at any time. Those 401k's don't last forever, especially if you meet that disaster when the market is down.

Gisela, thank you. Actually, I do feel very fortunate in many ways. Even if it's all downhill from here (which I hope isn't true), I've known more love tham anyone has a right to, and I've had an exciting life.

RJ, thanks, And thank you for throwing in the plug for socialized medicine. My friends who live with it are all much happier in their situations than most Americans. But we're fed the line of rhetoric, and many people continue to support that rhetoric even when they're drowning under it, for some strange reason.

Lisa, I don't know what to say. I'd like to say I'm happy the judge at least talked to you but if it amounted to nothing, I guess it doesn't do much good. You hang in there and keep writing. Soon, your older kids will be old enough to babysit the younger ones, and you'll be free to go to work, or do what it takes to make your situation better (We joke about my situation - my children are eleven years apart and I tell everyone I waited until the first was old enough to babysit to have the second). I'm sending lots of positive energy your way.

Clare, I sure can understand that. Sorta like my focusing in on the five shirts the other day. Sometimes, the big picture is just too much. I think as my personal world became smaller, I was more able to look at the big picture. There were years before that when I had to focus on one or two issues or people at a time.

Thanks, Betty. I appreciate your visit ;-)

the number one cause of bankruptcy is catastrophic disability. they made that harder to declare now. will it never end?

Well said, well done, my friend. Look at how many people you've touched right here. The Louis' of the world get what they deserve one way or the other. Of that I'm sure because I've seen it happen too many times. I appreciate your frankness, your willingness to say it like it is-no sugar coating. You have taught me so much, I don't even know how to quantify it. Thank you. Your daughters would be so very proud of you! I know I am.

Thank you, Micheale. Your comments mean a great deal to me.

Please understand I wish Louis no harm - only enlightenment. And I do respect his honesty.

You are truly excellent in your works, state of mind and all, you are great. WOW! Thanks!:)

Sandy, If you mean your views are extreme because you believe in dialogue, humanity, caring for one another and peace, then your views are as extreme as the Jesus of the christian bible.
Louis, I am glad you are posting. The same taxes we pay which go to war and financing pork projects and sweet deals should be used to raise up the citizenry of this great land. I am happy you have worked hard, as have I. But when we need help, it is not unreasonable to expect the government (which is of the people by the people and FOR the people, supposedly) to step up and give a little back. Are you aware that medicine and dental care can go a long way to boost one's health and morale? Bless you for caring enough to post, and may you NEVER be in the position to HAVE to depend on somebody else. It may kill you, sir.
Peace, Everyone!
Sandy, Well said.

Home Depot.. who contributed greatly to the political party that failed the people, and got the kick backs? Sure, nice of them to respond.

Louis, I apologize if you did not mean this to be personal and are confused by my reaction: "Whether you like it or not Sandy, in life you have no automatic right to food, medicine, housing or an education. Those things don't grow on trees, they cost money. You have the right to your life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness, not even happiness itself. If you can't or won't work for it, it must be taken from someone else and given to you. I get the feeling that those who get a check from the government forget that it doesn't really come from the goverment but from taxpayers." After reading it a second time, I still take it very personally (it does include my name and a slap I do not deserve). I have read your comments posted after that and hope you are looking for legal assistance if you're paying 80% of your income in taxes because someone has truly taken advantage of you. Regarding your comment: "If you really want to give back" - I would say this means you have either not read, or not comprehended anything I've written on this site, and might be one of those people who just flies by with an opinion about nothing. I have no respect for an opinion that reflects absolutely zero time dedicated to facts, or the person who offers it. I've done my part, continue to do my part. However, I might be too weary to try to help you. It's pretty obvious you enjoy your views as much as I do mine, and continued discussion would be a waste of both our time.

Cathy and Jose, thanks to both of you for taking the time to read my article, and for your kind comments. I appreciate both.

It is the mark of a civilized society that has a safety net to catch those who need it. it may not ever be you that needs catching, but there but for the grace of God, go I.

True, Carol. But it seems we have a lot of uncivilized people in our society these days. Something that could almost seem ironic is that I was criticized most of my life for giving too much, trusting too easily, letting people walk all over me, not letting others do for me ... A few years ago, my mother (who taught me to be that way through example) told me I was selfish because I didn't allow others to do for me in return. She told me to think about how good I felt when I did things for other people, and how I didn't allow them that same pleasure. Opened up a whole new perspective for me. I was lucky to have been able and happy to do for many years. Now, my mother and I need each other and can't be there for one another, emotionally, physically, or financially. Your words - civilized society - sum up what I have left to offer this world. My mind still works, so that is what I can give, without energy or money - contributions to a civilized, orderly, loving world. And there are millions of sick, tired, poor people out there giving the same. Wait for your car to break down on a busy road and see who stops to help - most likely a tired, poor person.

How right you are , Sandy about being able to receive. I know that I had occasion to learn that lesson 10 years ago, when I had double knee surgeries and a summer long recovery. My friends and I (all doers, not good receivers) made a pact that we would all learn how to let others help us. I learned that summer. One friend learned it the spring before when she had breast cancer, another learned it when she lost her husband. It was a wonderful lesson and I am thankful that i learned it.

Ouch, Carol! Both knees in the same summer? I'm glad your friends were there for you, because that's a very painful procedure and long recovery.

Thanks for your comments, Michael. I'm sorry for your lady. And yes, some "culture of life" when people are disregarded because of age or illness. Often, those are the people with the real wisdom.

For these slave drivers, if you're not well enough to make them richer, you're a useless eater. What can I say? And those who vote for that ilk, well, they'll never catch that carrot on a stick.

I think you're right, Bryan. That carrot is a facade, and they'll probably fall on their faces reaching for it. At least the majority of them. Sad, to be taken advantage of and not even know it.

Wow, that's very powerful and timely!

Thank you, Brent.

Amen, Sandy and it will take all of us voicing this loudly and boldly to make the change that is neecessary to implement laws and support for the health and welfare needs of the many who suffer from the victimization not only of conditions effected by ill fortune, age,health and poverty, but from dispassionate disposal of their prayers and needs and sufferings by those elected to help them.

Sandy, you should run for president. You absolutely have my vote. Might be nice to have a president that actually LIStens rather than interperets, no?

Thanks for the vote, Brian ;-) I can't do it, but I hope you'll vote for someone who thinks like me, not just for president, but for every office.

Laura, thank you for recognizing what needs to be done. I actually live a decent life, but try to use my voice for the millions who don't have the strength, the financial resources, the support, or the will to live as well as I do. The disgusting part of this is that my disabilities don't show, so I have escaped much of what others deal with.

I am so sorry for your suffering.

I have just given up on gov't as a help. It is as bad at medicine as it is at war. I think of the lyrics of Sting, "There is no political solution" since we are spirits in a material world.

Tom, I just wandered over here and found out I missed your comment earlier. I apologize, and thank you now. I believe there IS a political solution to the health care issue, even remember when Hillary was concerned with it. Whether or not the American people wake up and do something about it is another question. Sadly, those who think they're safe, aren't. It's gonna get real ugly when they fall off the high horse and splatter.

Sandy,
Right on. Thanks for the heads up on the moveOn web site.
Bush is no friend to the poor and the disabled - cutbacks to affordable housing, so called prescription drug plan, Medicare Part D, which eliminated the Patient Assistance Programs, vetoing the stem cell bill ...
We are not poor because we are lazy. Most of us are well educated and have marketable job skills. We can't work. We didn't anticipate being unable to work and for many of us, at a young age. We struggle to may our out of pocket medical expenses on fixed incomes. Many of us do without medication or cutback on dosages.

Thanks,
Maggie
MS counselor

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSResources/

Thank you, Maggie. This is a situation many people don't think about until it happens to them. I was extemely independent, loved my work, and never wanted to give in to my disabilities and stop working. I worked ten years after the first doctor suggested I give it up, and would have worked ten more if I had found an employer willing to work around my missing half the time. Hope you enjoy Move-on, and I will check your link.

good words powerful

I mean this year has been awful I am on disability I have had to pay out over half of my check just for my medications.The first part of this year has been a nightmare.

Shaunee, I'm so sad to hear you've had a horrible year. I believe that 'half the check for meds' amount holds true for most people on disability, and the other half is seldom enough for rent and groceries, much less all the other necessities. I wish you well, and hope you are getting the things you need.

All of your articles are so thought proviking or eye opening.

I appreciate your kind comment, Shelbia. This is still right on topic, a few years later. Sad, huh?

I miss martinchill.

Me too.

We can miss him together, Cat. I heard from him recently. He's doing well and doesn't miss Gather the way we miss him.

It isn't a tremendous surprise. Engaging Gather is like trying to court a raptor - it will not tame and it doesn't love you back. I'm glad to hear that he is well.

And here we are my friend. Kickin back on the 20th. Damn, I wish I could have a beer. I will have a theoretical one and BBQ with the women next door and maybe we'll do a really bad dance in the hallway to celebrate.

Of course we're celebrating the end of desctruction with such a massive road ahead.

I hope the Goddess smiles long and hard on us.

Hope is here, Sharon. But I agree that it is too bad the celebration is clouded by the fact that we are celebrating the end of destruction. Relief and common goals should make that massive road a little easier to travel.

Thanks for coming to read this.

I will contact both of my Senators and my U.S. rep.

Everyone this is so very easy to do now, no excuses.

U. S, House of Representatives

Just enter your zip code you will get the page of your U. S. Congressman


U. S. Senate


This is the really dirty side of Capitalism: If you are not independently wealthy, and can no longer work, your duty is to die as quickly as possible.
No suicide allowed though.
Suicide howeve is the one part of religion that even the Capitalists who like to hold hands with religious institutions would happily do away with.

Sandy you wrote a nice article, I am just angry at how extreme the "laws" of our land have moved right.

The saddest part of this is it is a lot of very poor very religious people who made this so easy for the Economic/Political conservatives.
and picked up their SSI checks on the way to the voting booth.

Of course I meant the anti-suicide rules.

Sandy,
Is that our martin of the olden days up there?

Yes, Cena, that's our dear Martinchill of the olden days up there. I'm always so excited when I run into one of his comments, and glad they didn't disappear when he left.

Thanks for your kind, informed comments on this topic. And for your activism.

Sandy,
I just followed your link here. You know my situation fits in with this. I have already lost a home, and I am fighting to keep an apt. Despite my disability I have to use buses to get to drs because we can't afford a car. One trip to the doctors office sees me leaving here at 10 AM and getting home by 5. I am exhausted, sore and very weak for days afterwards. I am working to get medical certification to get a program where they come pick me up at my door, but that requires drs visits as well. catch 22. I have been living without medication for 3 months just because I am fighting to get better, and to be able to find a doctor who will try to do something about my health. I moved to a city that has one of the best cardiology schools in the country. Moving, especially several 100 miles is expensive, but I am determined to see if I can get to where I can at least live on my own, so my children can live more normal lives. I guess it is I should be ashamed of myself for seeing myself, um how did Linda put it, as needy with my hand out for other peoples money...get real....

Lisa, don't let people like Linda make you feel bad about yourself. They are the ones with the problem. No one in your position should have to stand with a hand out - others should be reaching toward you to offer help. I hate that you are in this situation and hope something changes soon. I'm glad I found this again. I might include it with the next batch of letters I send out.

I am glad too. Thank you

Followed the link, too. Strong and moving, Sandy. A '10', as always.

What a trip thru 2 1/2 years of Gather....................and STILL we fight for basic human dignity. Not done yet tho.....................still have strength and our hope. Blessings