Seniors’ Subsistence
Social Security recipients will get no COLA in 2010 because the fiscal 3rd quarter which is used to determine the increase reflected a down-turn in the inflation rate in 2009, largely because of decreased energy costs compared with the previous year (2008). This is the first time since 1975 where Social Security recipients will not get the COLA. Federal law prevents Social Security payments from being reduced. This all sounds good on paper, but in practicality seniors need every penny they can scrounge.
While energy costs may be less than LY, the cost of drugs, consumables, and food continue to rise. Have you priced TP lately? Paper towels? Tissues? Notwithstanding the aggressive “falling prices” ads which Big Box stores like WalMart, K-Mart, Target, etc. If you don’t know (shame on you), these are “come-on” prices to get you in the door and are featured on only a small percentage of their inventory which continues to be priced at “cost + %”, the legitimate capitalistic method of calculating retail prices, which are dictated by competition.
So, while the bureaucrats continue to be handy with their pencils, the retired must make do with their, on average, $1024 monthly payment. Sadly, this is all many of our valuable seniors have to continue their existence thru subsistence.
Now, with the presumed and denied feared Medicare cuts, life is looking worse for our valuable seniors. The “end of cycle” mentality which is pervasive in many White House circles bodes poorly for those seniors who need love and care most … those at the very end of their life. Only new-borns need TLC more. And yet, under several philosophies which are present among the White House staff, these two categories of people are deemed less valuable, largely because of their current potential contribution to society. What? Soylent Green? It is feared that new-borns and end-of –life seniors will be afforded less intensive and extensive care that the “middle years” population. But, I digress. The “death panels” discussion is far from over.
Now that a Health Bill has come out of the Senate Finance Committee, merging three existing bills must take place. Look for more fireworks in the coming weeks. With the angst among conservative Dems (yes, I know; an axymoron) about the many outre’ segments of the bills, the “budget reconciliation” process is looking more and more like a probability, needing only 51 votes to pass and not 60.
On this day in history: 1951 – TV show I Love Lucy debuts; 1990 – Mikhail Gorbachev wins Nobel Peace Prize; 1991 – Judge Clarence Thomas confirmed to the US Supreme Court
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Blessings