One reason why ‘We the People’ are facing the current fiscal cliff crisis is because “we” have failed to protect our financial interest by allowing the government to give entitlements.
Entitlements are gifts that are given at various levels of governments. Usually there is an expectation of what the gift will provide to the recipient or the giver.
But who should be entitled?
1. Sports figures are entitled to some compensation because of the revenue they generate and the risk of injury they face.
2. Respect is not something you are entitled to, it is something that has to be earned.
3. Analysts are entitled to their opinions on stocks, just like anyone else.
4. If you are employed you are entitled to just compensation from your employer.
5. And of course, you are entitled to your opinion.
A relative came home and day after day found his 20 year old son, who was not attending college even though he had gained admittance to several top universities, sitting in front of a game screen just playing away. Finally having enough of this, he called his son into the study and made the following announcement. “Son, I do not mind you living off the fat of the land, but from this day forward you will not be living off of my fat or my land.” You must find a way to be beneficial to yourself and contribute to society.
It is important to state that the young man was neither lazy nor foolish. He had just simply found himself receiving entitlements from his family that provide a level of comfort that satisfied his immediate needs; he just needed to be prodded out of that comfort level his family had lovingly provided. My nephew went on to become a very successful businessman in the computer industry.
We as a society need to stop undeserving people from living off the fat of the land and encourage them to be beneficial to themselves and to the society in which we live.
Wayne Waldack
Marco Island
Marco Island Academy ribbon cutting
Marco Island Code Compliance Board
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 18
1Paradiselost writes:
Paying into the Social Security your whole life is NO gift!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
“Son, I do not mind you living off the fat of the land, but from this day forward you will not be living off of my fat or my land.”
Wayne - when did your Dad told you that?
wwaldack writes:
1Paradiselost:
Social Security and Medicare benefits paid to those who did not pay into the system is a Gift or an Entitlement.
You are right, People that paid into Social Security System are not receiving a gift because they are Entitled.
Difference between being Entitled which is earned and an Entitlement which unfortunately is a Gift to the unentitled.
WW
wwaldack writes:
DRESCHER, UWE aka Klaus Stoertebeker
Klaus Stoertebeker, whose real name was Nikolaus Storzenbecher, was a German who lived in the 14th century.
Stoertebeker led group of freebooters, who captured Danish ships during the war by order of the Germans. In one way he was a privateer, but he also captured the ships of England, Holland, Russia and even German ships itself. In 1401 Stoertebeker and 71 of his companions were caught near Helgoland Island by a trick. A fisherman whom Stoertebeker granted protection turned out to be the enemy. Stoertebeker was executed in Hamburg in 1400.
Stand up UWE, quit hiding behind a bunch of ficticious names.
Wayne Waldack
1Paradiselost writes:
Wayne,
To be eligible to collect Social Security one has to pay into the system 28 quarters. That would be 7 years.
If recipient should pass away before the age of 62 and have the required quarters. Their family should collect on what was paid into the system by the deceased.
Nothing more nothing less until the benefit was exhausted based on what was collected by the Social Security system.
Do you feel that's a gift to the descendents family?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Waldi, you have excellent historical skills.
Wonderful. But my name is Klaus Stoertebeker. I am known as very talented beer-drinker. So they called me Stoertebeker, means drink 1 liter in one step. You have talent to do that too.
This other name you mentioned is unknown for me.
Maybe it was one of my Victual Brothers. I think he told you, that you have no re-election chance. You want listen. By the way you didn't answer my question: When did Daddy told you "get out of my fat"?
wwaldack writes:
1Paradiselost,
Social Security as you state should be for those that have paid into the system and their legal heirs.
Unfortunately, our government is taking Social Security monies and paying benefits to some that have somehow arrived in many our cities and towns and have never had a relative pay a penny into Social Security. These are the unentitled receiving Entitlements.
Wayne Waldack
wwaldack writes:
To ALL MARCO ISLANDERS:
HAPPY and a HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
Wayne Waldack
1Paradiselost writes:
Wayne,
You need to call the local Social Security office as I just did quoting your response.
They told me that you were miss-informed and to give them a call. Do you know someone who's collecting.
Or is this something you heard on FOX NEWS?
I was told by the gentleman on the phone you can't collect unless you have a valid claim. All claims are investigated before and checks are sent out to recipients.
If you know someone who is receiving benefits illegally. It is YOUR responsibility to report them.
Your cash reward will be based on the departments investigation results.
condoseller writes:
Mr. Waldack, plagiarising again? How sad. My late husband would be so disappointed in you.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports...
KlausStoertebeker writes:
It is not just your late husband. It is at least 98% of the Marco Island population.
Eddi Isslers majority!
Happy New Year!
wwaldack writes:
1Paradiselost,
Your comments are accurate with notable exceptions,
According to Factcheck:
We’ll just quickly note that illegal immigrants are broadly disqualified from collecting benefits from government programs, according to U.S. Code, with only limited exceptions. Those exceptions are:
■Emergency medical care (which includes emergency labor and delivery)
■Emergency disaster relief that is provided for the short term and is not a cash payment
■Limited immunizations and testing, and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases
■Certain community programs, such as soup kitchens or crisis counseling, as specified by the Attorney General
■Limited housing or community development assistance to those already receiving it in 1996
These are the only circumstances under which illegal immigrants can lawfully receive government assistance. Notably absent from this list is any type of Social Security benefits. To repeat: Illegal immigrants cannot legally receive Social Security benefits, and Congress isn’t about to vote on legislation that would change that.
Of course, some immigrants who are here without legal permission do end up receiving Social Security and other benefits, through bureaucratic mistakes or through deliberate fraud. The Government Accountability Office has even called this a "serious problem," though the GAO also says that "the full extent of benefit fraud is unknown." This problem draws the ire of conservative commentators and is sometimes distorted in Internet or e-mail postings to imply falsely that such payments are government policy.
Justin Bank - Author
Wayne Waldack
KlausStoertebeker writes:
■Emergency medical care (which includes emergency labor and delivery)
■Emergency disaster relief that is provided for the short term and is not a cash payment
■Limited immunizations and testing, and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases
■Certain community programs, such as soup kitchens or crisis counseling, as specified by the Attorney General
■Limited housing or community development assistance to those already receiving it in 1996
Waldi - that it what illegal aliens get in the entire civilized world! What is your problem? Even Americans get this in 98% of European nations. And in Australia. Germany checked Americans asking for political asylum 3 - 5 years. With all benefits. So what is your small thinking point. And you are a Knight of Columbus. You are in charge of small minorities. That is in your manifest you sworn in. You don't remember?
Be not bigot.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
This: One reason why ‘We the People’ are facing the current fiscal cliff crisis is because “we” have failed to protect our financial interest by allowing the government to give entitlements.
There is no more social security. It is now a pay-go system. The money was stolen/spent by the fools you people elected to Washington over the past 30 years. Now you fools say you paid in and should be able to collect. Sorry but you can only spend the same dollar once. It has already been spent. Now you have none. The boom generation chose that road with their voting choice.
I hope the youth of this country one day stand up and tell Washington they won't pay. They did not consent to being $54,000 dollars (each persons share of the debt and rapidly climbing) in debt to the federal government before they even finish high school or are even born. The youth face much higher taxes to the extent that they will be debt slaves (pay the majority of their income to taxes) for the majority of their lives. History tells us this won't end well.
Why should future generations be faced with having to wait longer to collect? Collect reduced amounts? Maybe means tested to see if there is a need? While being expected to pay in just as you did? Raise the age, means test, reduce the benefit...NOW!
1Paradiselost writes:
Fact! Currently the program is solvent until 2033. Some of you have been sold a pack of lies by the right wing tea party.
If you think there's a problem, It's simple.... Change the Social Security max cap from $106,800 to $250,000, DUH!
Then the problem is solved... FOREVER!
Below is the current math.
http://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/index.html
Marco-Bob writes:
I personally feel that the cap should be completely removed. Build for the future for when those employed become scarce.
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot writes:
Great source for your facts. ssa.gov would never mislead the public?
Google is your friend. Look at how SS is currently funded. The "lock box" has been raided.
I do agree with you. Raise the cap. Or cut the program. The elephant in the room (per Bernanke himself) is medicare.
ajm3s writes:
"lies by the right wing tea party"
I suspect the lie you are referring to is the claim that SS is insolvent. Interestingly, you quote a fact, "the program is solvent until 2033" and cite the SSA.
Well, it is great to review the facts, but bear in mind any program that has a date stamp as to solvency, you need to ask yourself, would you ascribe to such a program if you are say, just starting your life as a working member of society.
For myself, a supporter of limited government and fiscal responsibility (tea party type hype), I would consider it a problem that SS has a date stamp as to solvency, because any financial plan with an insolvency date by definition is an insolvent financial plan.
But I guess it is just "lies by the right wing tea party" irregardless of actuarial review with no ideology.
Why do you mix ideology with sound actuarial review that clearly states the plan by design is insolvent and they have a date by which it will run out of money. And what is more incredible, this is a plan that many Americans rely upon as primary retirement income.
Sorry Paradise, I agree with most of your retort, but you seem to feel this is a tea party lie, when in fact it IS a problem is NOT being solved. And yes the solutions are simple, but again, your claim that the program is solvent, could be construed as a lie, from the perspective of an actuarial.
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