INCOME TAX - SOCIAL SECURITY - WHAT A FRIGGIN’ JOKE

Check this out: I have a friend who is a few years older than me, and she decided to take an “early social security” She called me today almost in tears. Her husband earns what would now be classified as a “low middle class amount”. They have grown children. They
pay their dues.

She just picked up her income tax (prepared by an IRS savvy) office, and this is what she was told: “Your husband makes too much money and so they taxed 80% of your social security benefits!”

She said she swore and proclaimed that to do that is taxing that money TWICE. “I know,”
the woman replied, “I think it stinks, but there is nothing we can do about it. That is taxing you twice on the same money!”

So listen up, my friends, if you are in the group that will soon be able to collect what you paid into to all your working life - be prepared to be told, “BEND OVER, THIS WON’T TAKE LONG!” Be prepared to be disappointed AGAIN by our wonderful government! I know that sounds extreme, for me, but it made me mad too.

Our government donates BILLIONS to other countries (Pakistan alone gets $250 million a MONTH)….Individuals spend millions to get elected, and then millions for the party thereafter.

But if our hard working middle class has a small dream of getting a return for donating their entire lives being honorable and working-and not using the system, forget it!

You either have to be RICH or POOR. There is no room for in between and the hard working “in betweener’s” are biting the dust. Might as well give up and join the ranks of the poor who don’t pay for much of anything. No slam against those who REALLY are honorable and need it.

You know what? I don’t care which of the three main candidates gets elected - ANYBODY
has to be better than what we’ve seen in past years! We need change.

Oh by the way, are you familiar with “super delegates”? Another ridiculous thing our government does - check it out!

ADDENDUM to last post. My records were sent to a doctor who is NOT in my health care network. I do have some insurance, but if I didn’t, he doesn’t take cash. I ask about getting records and was told it would cost me a fee up front and 25 cents a page to get them. “The records belong to the doctor” I was told. EVEN if he disappears and doesn’t notify one person….now the doctor he sent the records to OWNS them for 10 years unless you buy them or have them requested to be mailed to another doctor.

B.S. Boy am I glad I get copies of my records each time I visit a doctor’s office. They
can keep those things for 10 years or do whatever else they want to do with them - I have a suggestion. :0

Now I will take a breath and step outside to “divert” my own attention to something I actually have some choice in….taking the dog for a walk!

THIS ISN’T FUNNY!

All of us need to see a doctor once in a while. If we have children, that happens for sure.
About 8 years ago I found a feminine MD whom I thought was wonderful. After 4 years of TRUSTING her, I called for an appointment one day and she had moved to Idaho. (This was the SECOND time my doctor left town without notice or warning. ) The first was also a woman who just closed the doors and left for India!

Needless to say, this second time I was not very happy. All my records had been sent to her former partner-a male physician. I paid the “first timer” initial visit to him, though I thought it not very nice. Therein he became my doctor. He has been a wonderful doctor until TODAY! I called to ask a question and was told: “the office closed permanently on the 7th.”

Stunned, I asked what happened. “Don’t know”, the operator replied, “Even his staff didn’t know.”

Most things don’t phase me, but this is pure and simple B.S. No notice, no chance to ask for records, NADA! Bye bye, gone, see ya later.

I asked where my records are and she said, “Oh they’ve been sent to another doctor. Here is his information.”

Of course he is all the way across town, I HAD NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER, and check this out- HE DOESN’T TAKE CASH!

After all, I am just a pheasant! On top of it I have to pay a “new client fee” if I even want to see him. Again, I am livid.

The thing is it is B.S. We PAY to trust our physician, and the least they could do is give a bit of notice and some choice in the matter.

HERE IS THE MAIN THING I AM SUGGESTING TO YOU. I had a little mama who was sharp as a tack. She told me ALWAYS keep a record of your visits. You may have to initially ask and sign a release form, but BE SURE TO GET YOUR RECORDS REGULARLY. At least this gives you options!

Now take a breath and try to relax. I am! BY THE WAY,

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Hug or kiss someone NOW - hug yourself!
Luckily, I did so, and I have all my records! This suggestion goes for you, your children, your parents, whomever…..We do have rights! We have the right to see what has been written about us, and the right to keep track of our treatment!

PLEASE RIGHT NOW, NEXT TIME SOMEONE GOES TO THE DOCTOR TELL THEM YOU WANT A COPY OF ALL YOUR RECORDS! Mine didn’t cost anything as I’ve done it each visit….I
don’t know about if you have to get them from the start.

Stay well and maybe you won’t need one of these “Practicing” physicians!

Flowers to brighten a winter morning :)

CREATE a wonderful day!
Take a deep breath and when you exhale let all the worries fly out the fingertips and into oblivion.
You can’t do anything about most circumstances except find your intellect and respond in a positive
manner that will CREATE better circumstances….there is always a way!

The Here and the Now

Learn to appreciate the HERE and NOW : Last night I was thinking how boring doing the dishes was after washing millions of dishes in my lifetime. Then for some reason it suddenly hit me.

I wondered how difficult it would be to wash these dishes if I were blind.
I closed my eyes and attempted to wash the rest of the dishes. IT WAS SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN I IMAGINED!

When I opened my eyes I realized I had used the sense of “touch” to make sure the dishes were clean. I had to really use my hands to find what I was looking for, and it was tough.

Then my mind really began to race. I thought of all the tasks I do and how easily I can do them. I have eyes to see, legs to walk, ears to hear, and arms to use. Many of our veterans (and citizens who’ve never been through the horror of war) are not so fortunate.

Then I thought of 3/4’s of the world not having a toilet to clean, or running water to get a drink, or a bed to curl in at night. Oh my God - and I
mean no disrespect - my God -how I am so grateful for all those things I take for granted every day.

I think I will use my vocal cords tonight when I do the dishes and sing a
little song of thanks for all that we are given that are dismissed as less than a blessing!

Do you really think this is all just an accident of nature?

Use your intellect. Do accidents look like this?

I think not!