Throughout various headlines in newspapers and other media around the country today we’re teased with “An extra check in the mail?” This is followed with the Associated Press report titled “$250 senior supplement urged-Obama seeks to counter lack of hike this year for Social Security” by Michael D. Shear. Sounds nice for the 50 million it would affect. But it’s not free and the cost could be devastating.
I see in my minds eye, gamers of Three Card Monte or a Shell game along with Shills’ on the sidewalk pulling in patrons. Inevitably you win the first hand and get taken for a large sum once you drop your guard.
I remember a movie, but can’t recall the name, the Scam Artist finds a wallet at the same time as the Mark. The wallet contained no identification but contains a winning Lottery ticket. It was decided after much arguing that both would share the winning of $1000.
The Mark ultimately was to go and cash in the ticket, leaving behind $200 in the wallet as a surety that he would return with the proceeds to split. The reason $200, that’s all he had. Needless to say the Lottery ticket was a phony and on his return the other guy wasn’t there.
As reported, there were varied opinions from Congressman pro and con. With Obama’s stated reasoning “This additional assistance will be especially important in the coming months, as countless seniors and others have seen their retirement accounts and home values decline as a result of this economic crisis.” At the same time Senator Max Baucus, Democrat from Montana that heads the Senate Finance Committee charged with oversight of Social Security was quoted as, “We’re looking at a way to address it. I’m not sure what the exact answer is yet, but we’re looking at ways to address that.”
Could it be that Max Baucus' comment came after meeting the night before with other top Democrats, including Rahm Emanuel the President's Chief of Staff? The reported meeting was to map out a strategy for the “Health Care Bill” just out of the same Max Baucus Committee. We were already primed that the COLA for Social Security wouldn’t be forthcoming.
Those Seniors represent about 40 million votes and pose the largest and most vocal group about $500 Billion being taken out of Medicare. Those Seniors have lived long enough that it’s certain, in the aggregate, they are in greater need of Health Care than most other demographics. The estimate of that “Extra $250 check” is $13 Billion for up to 50 million people. I think most would tell them to keep the $250 and leave our coverage alone. Take care of the fraud in the system, both “Medicare” and the “Congressional Houses.” Our votes are not for sale, and are pockets are not for picking.
Something to say in retirement to keep the sanity we have come to love. I’m a conservative and marketer, since age 5 and Vietnam Vet. 1964-1968 U.S.N.. Living in the Houston area 32 years with a Multi-National Oil Co., SF Ca. for 10 years, in Fla. 18 years and born in N.Y.
My historical family are Russian Jewish immigrants circa 1912 Ellis Island. Now is the time to say what is on my mind.
