Sunday, January 16, 2005

A brief commercial interruption....

I've been reading up on Social Security reform -- lots of good information out there for people who are interested. I'm struck by the transformation of thinking about the whole program. Social Security used to be a program we supported because it took care of other, deserving people who should be able to relax after 50 years of work and struggle. Now, the discussion is all about "my money" and "my account" and "me, me, me."

If you are on the side of folks who care about the retired and disabled, here's a quick simple petition you can sign at MoveOn.org. I have a lot of problems with that organization's support of the Democratic Party, but this petition is very straightforward and worthwhile. Head on over and add your name:

MoveOn peition on social security.

Posted by Ravenmn at 10:57 AM  

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Social Security used to be a program we supported because it took care of other, deserving people who should be able to relax after 50 years of work and struggle. Now, the discussion is all about "my money" and "my account" and "me, me, me."

I find this post incredibly insensitive. (And btw, what is "DESERVING PEOPLE." Kind of implies there are some people with 50 year work records who are, in some way ... NON-DESERVING.

Well, I'm one of these "me,me,me" people who has paid into Social Security for 33 years (that would be since I was age 17). And, I never complained ... because I believed, and still believe, in the concept.

But, if at age 50, the govmint knows Social Security is an anachronism, I expect some bureaucratic asshole to step forward and be honest. So, I, at age 50, can stop contributing to the retirements of others, AND after 30-plus years, contribute to my own retirement.

I expect this BECAUSE I've worked in public service for 30 plus years. And, I know right up front and personal that I've contributed to the non-deserving.

So, I'm not feeling at the moment that I should be overlooked by Social Security.

1/17/2005 09:20:00 PM  
Ravenmn said...

I define ALL people who have worked 50 years as deserving. In fact, I don't find it useful to decide that some people are non-deserving, which could preclude you and I from agreeing on much of anything. For me, if you are a human being, no matter how big an asshole you are, you deserve to have certain basic needs met.

However, if you DO want to look at this issue from a "me-me-me" perspective, you still don't need to worry. Even the most dire predictions of Social Security's downfall portray the lack of funds effecting only people who are much younger than you and me.

And that's the problem with this discussion -- even the basic facts are not understood. There is only fear -- and the fear can even spread to somebody like you. At 50 years old, you are in no danger of losing out on Social Security funds for your retirement. In fact, the only thing threatening your personal retirement checks right now is the privatization plan, which takes that big pot of money that is safe for you and me to retire on and turns it over to risky ventures on Wall Street.

1/18/2005 11:20:00 AM  
Anonymous said...

"I define ALL people who have worked 50 years as deserving".

We agree on something.


"In fact, I don't find it useful to decide that some people are non-deserving, which could preclude you and I from agreeing on much of anything. For me, if you are a human being, no matter how big an asshole you are, you deserve to have certain basic needs met".

My child, I can tell (absolutely) from that statement that as liberal as you profess to be ... you have never actually worked in the public service sector.

Search your soul. And, if you still want to be a liberal, take a job in public service.

Nobody in this country will EVER take your views seriously if you don't.

1/18/2005 08:07:00 PM  
Ravenmn said...

Ah, but your assumption is incorrect. I've had lots of service jobs. I worked in food stamps giving my individual attention to 7,000 clients every single month for a couple of years. I discovered there was more than one way to handle that sort of job. I chose the method that didn't make judgments about who deserved help and who didn't.

1/18/2005 09:01:00 PM  
Anonymous said...

Wow, you worked in food stamps for two years! I worked as a waitress for THREE years when I was in college (Easily, the hardest work I ever did). I think I'll go organize the waitresses of America into a UNION ... because, I, like, know so much about waitressing.

I've worked 17 years in public service. And, to dispell any ideas you have about my cruelty and inhumanity, I got 19 Christmas cards and a hand-stitched sampler this holiday season ... from the REALLY poor.

I'm not stupid. I draw conclusions. I'm only human. But, I know how to be kind.

However, if you want to preach liberalism ... as opposed to just being liberal ... you must live it. Stop shuffling fonts for a living.

Look into your soul, live it, or shut up.

1/20/2005 07:50:00 PM  
Ravenmn said...

Hey, I made a different decision than you did. That's no reason to insult me by calling me a liberal! I never called you cruel or inhuman -- I suggested there is more than one way of handling a difficult job.

Your post has made me try to figure out a way to explain why losers who cheat the system do not piss me off the way they piss you off. I'm not sure that you are in a position where you can listen right now, but I'll give it a shot.

I honestly think that welfare cheaters are small potatoes in the larcenous universe. You'd have to get a couple thousand welfare cheaters together to equal the damage that one executive at Enron has inflicted on our fellow citizens. Yet it seems easier and somehow more socially correct to expend our personal hatred and resentment on somebody who chisels the government out of a few thousand dollars in social service aid.

I think it's misdirection to hate poor people for trying to cheat the system when rich people can cheat the system regularly and even legally for the most part. Yes, welfare cheaters are scum, but the damage they do is so small compared to the damage done by truly powerful people who act upon that same disrespect for their fellow citizens.

As a relatively poor person I choose not to cheat the system. I pay my taxes. I live within my means. I don't cheat people and I don't duck out on my debts. For me, it's a matter of personal pride. I honestly believe that those people who don't live by these standards -- those who choose to cheat others to survive -- are living a poorer existence than me.

Like you, I encounter these people every day. I have family members who choose to live their lives that way. I don't like it, but I don't have the power to change it. I also know that they are not even remotely happy. I am often happy and proud of my decisions. It is a pleasure that I wouldn't give up for any of the trifles the cheaters might have scammed the system to achieve.

I'm sure there are writers who are far more eloquent on this issue than I am, but I haven't found them yet. If I could, I would direct you to them. Meanwhile, I hope you read these stumbling words as an honest attempt at explaining why my way at looking at the world is different than yours.

As for waitressing -- I have always believed that is one of the hardest jobs there is in life. I've worked at fast food places and as a carhop -- which doesn't compare one iota to being a waitress. Having to do all that schlepping around while people expect you to treat them with respect is far beyond my capabilities.

1/21/2005 12:07:00 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)