FEDERAL BENEFIT PAYMENT/ENTITLEMENT

I received the following in an email today.  Interesting and thought provoking. Let me start by saying that my knowledge of government dealings is not strong.  Once I research an issue then I am able to form my own opinion.  That being said I honestly do not know if the following is entirely true, however I am going to give my thoughts as if this was 100% true.


What blows my mind is how human beings have become so hardened to the needs of their peers.  I do feel that there are some politicians who sincerely care about those in need but I feel there are far too many who are only looking out for their own personal interests.  Everyone has something to say about "Obama Care" but no one seems to have a better idea.  The burden of the economy is falling on what's left of the middle class.  Sad thing is there were many people struggling before the economy got bad so I can only imagine what how they're doing now.  It's crazy that I'm paying into this system and it may not even be around when I need it! 


I could go on and on regarding this topic but I have a trip to pack for so I am going to pause here.  Lets discuss,what are your thoughts?

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Have you noticed, your Social Security check is now referred to as a "federal benefit payment"? I'll be part of the one percent, to forward this. Our government gets away with way too much in all areas of our lives, while they live lavishly on their grossly overpaid incomes! KEEP PASSING THIS AROUND UNTIL EVERY ONE HAS READ IT.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THIS CALCULATION IS THEY FORGOT TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY COLLECTED THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY! WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?

This was sent to me, I am forwarding it because it does touch a nerve in me.

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500. If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the government pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98. If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had. Entitlement my ass, I paid cash for my social security insurance! Just because they borrowed the money from the fund - which was promised never to happen - and never paid it back, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless. In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile , and Turkey. And now Pakistan, home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

Sad isn't it? 99% of people won't have the guts to forward this. I'm one of the 1%, I Just Did.

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Police: Man ate cocaine hidden in brother's buttocks, dies shortly after

Seriously? Who in their right mind would think this is a good idea? That's not brotherly love at all, it's plain stupidity. Stupidity that unfortunately resulted in the death of his brother. I feel sorry for their mother and family. How do you respond, first of all, to the news that your child is dead given the circumstances of his death? Seriously this is not what life is about. I believe this is a perfect example of dying before your time. This young man made a very poor decision and ultimately paid for it with his life. I believe God has plans for us but when we decide to follow our will and not God's will then unfortunately things like this can happen. Condolences to the family.

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Posted: 12/20/2011
Last Updated: 7 hours and 8 minutes ago
By: Kristal Roberts

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - South Carolina Police say Wayne Joshua Mitchell, 20,died after he ate an ounce of cocaine that was hidden in his brother’s buttocks according to a WCIV report.

Authorities have charged the victim’s brother 23-year-old Deangelo Rashard Mitchell, with involuntary manslaughter.
The incident happened when both brothers were in the back of a police car on November 30. The two had been arrested for trafficking.

Video from inside the police car captured a conversation between the brothers, where Deangelo pleads with his younger brother to take the cocaine in his bottom and eat it to get rid of it.

"One of us gotta do it, you the only one that don't have any strikes. ...You my little brother... I'm gonna get life," Deangelo said to Wayne.

His bother complied and ate the drugs.

When officers saw the cocaine residue on the seat where Wayne sat, Deangelo told officers that his brother swallowed cocaine. Within the hour, Dwayne struggled to breathe, bled from his mouth and died.

Deangelo was charged with trafficking drugs and bonded out of jail December 1.

Once toxicology results confirmed that Wayne died directly from consuming the cocaine, police decided to pursue more serious charges.

A spokesman with the Charleston Police Department issued a press release on Tuesday stating that Deangelo Mitchell was in custody and awaiting a bond hearing.

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Source: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/water_cooler/police-man-ate-cocaine-hidden-in-brothers-butt-dies-shortly-after

Men: Incapable or Afraid to Love?

One question I've asked myself lately is are men really honest with themselves when it comes to love?  We all have so many excuses as to why we are single but what if we are honest for a moment.   I've heard several men say "I've never been in love".  Well why is that?  Do you feel you are incapable of loving or deep down are you afraid?  Does the fear of being hurt force you to put this wall up that makes it impossible for you to allow someone to love you?

After several encounters and random conversations with male friends and associates within the past weeks, particularly a conversation I had today, I am more than certain you all are not as hard as you want us to think. You want love and happiness just as much as we do. There is nothing wrong with wanting to share your life with someone and wanting to be in love. Being a man doesn't mean you have to act hard all the time. Open your mind and your heart and allow yourself to actually care for someone else and I'm more than certain you will have a different perspective on life. Yes we are all afraid of being hurt but if the risk weren't so great, would it even be worth having? Loving and being in love can be the best or worst feeling in the world. There are people who search a life time just to have a taste of just being in love and being loved. So you think I'm wrong? Then just give it a try.

When The Past Tries to Resurface

So two days ago I reconnected with a friend on facebook (one of the FEW things I like about facebook).  We talked and caught up a little bit but it was just great to know they were doing well.   Today I'm driving home and I get a facebook notification that I have a message.  I view the message and see its from a mutual friend of ours.  Let me be honest, this person is not a friend of mine (at least not anymore).  Long story short we were on good terms but he decided he didn't want to talk to me anymore so I quit talking to him.  His decision and I simply complied. For the sake of this rant lets call him "Terry".  So Terry decides to send me message saying "I see you and 'so and so' are friends.  Just want to see if you're well.  Hit me  back if you want".  I have not responded and have no intentions on responding.  I've already denied a previous follow request on Twitter and a friend request on Facebook.  Now you sending me a message on Facebook? No I do not want to hit you back.  I have no intentions of ever talking to you again.  Terry previously told me several years ago that we weren't really friends and didn't wish to communicate with me anymore.  So for him to attempt to contact me, yet again, irks me!  Not to mention he's the second person this week (that I care not to see or hear from ever again) to contact me via Facebook.


Facebook has a way of bringing people out of your past that you could seriously go the rest of your life (and probably all of eternity for some) without seeing or hearing from them again.  This happens to be one of those people.  Let me be clear, I have several people like this in my past but I DO NOT for one second wish any harm on them.  I wish them all the luck, blessings, and success beyond their imagination.  I just don't care to see or hear of them anymore.    My personal opinion about people like this is that they simply want to be nosey and see how well (or bad) you're doing.  Maybe to satisfy their ego or whatever insecurities they may have.  If I don't like you or we're not on good terms, I'm not going to connect with you online or in person.  I go my way and you go yours.  Simple as that right?  Obviously not.  

So not that I have completed my rant I am officially done with this situation.  NEXT! 

Perfect Grown Ups

I'm sitting here watching TV and relaxing.  As I sit here I allow my mind to wonder and I begin to think back to when  I was younger.  I use to think that "grown ups" did everything right (even if I didn't like everything they did).   I was like any other child growing up.  I played, laughed, and got in trouble more times than I can remember.  I grew up and didn't have any other thought about how I use to feel "grown ups" were always right.  It didn't hit me until now how wrong some of those "grown ups" can be.  I look back on some of the advice they had given me as well as the life lessons they tried to teach me.  There were advice of revenge, sexual promiscuity, lying, stealing, and cheating just to name a few.  So I credit it to me be young and naive.  I've grown up (and I feel I still am in some respect) and I realize "grown ups" aren't has perfect as I once thought.  Now that I am a officially a "grown up" out in the world I have really grown to appreciate the innocence of children.  It gives more meaning to Matthew 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (King James Version)

More ramblings to come....

Stephen Anderson, Ex NYPD Cop: We Planted Evidence, Framed Innocent People To Reach Quotas

First Posted: 10/13/11 05:55 PM ET Updated: 10/13/11 05:55 PM ET


A former New York City narcotics detective testified in court that planting drugs on innocent people was common practice, a quick and easy way to boost arrest numbers.


According to the New York Daily News, the practice is known among NYPD officers as “flaking,” and officers in Brooklyn and Queens narcotics squads were doing a whole lot of it.


Stephen Anderson, the former detective, was snared along with a group of other officers for “flaking” four men in Queens back in 2008. He is now cooperating with prosecutor’s and is spilling the beans on the crooked practice of framings and false arrests, often to reach arrest quotas.


"It was something I was seeing a lot of, whether it was from supervisors or undercovers and even investigators," Anderson testified in Brooklyn Supreme Court last week. "It's almost like you have no emotion with it, that they attach the bodies to it, they're going to be out of jail tomorrow anyway; nothing is going to happen to them anyway."


The Drug Policy Alliance, a group that promotes alternatives to the war on drugs, issued a statement calling the case against the officers indicative of larger, systematic failures.


“One of the consequences of the war on drugs is that police officers are pressured to make large numbers of arrests, and it’s easy for some of the less honest cops to plant evidence on innocent people,” said Gabriel Sayegh of the DPA. “The drug war inevitably leads to crooked policing — and quotas further incentivize such practices.”


This latest case isn’t the first time corrupt police practices and numbers fudging by the department has been exposed. A few years ago, an officer also in Brooklyn began secretly taping the activity around the department and uncovered a more sinister side to city policing.


Hundreds of hours of tape reveal how bosses threatened street cops if they don’t make enough stop-and-frisk arrests, “but also tell them not to take certain robbery reports in order to manipulate crime statistics,” according to the Voice. “The tapes also refer to command officers calling crime victims directly to intimidate them about their complaints.” (The popular public radio show, This American Life, did an in-depth feature on the padded stats in the Brooklyn precinct and the organized intimidation of the officer who was trying to blow the whistle.)


According to the DPA, the NYPD has recently come under fire recently for the arrests of more than 50,000 people last year for low-level marijuana offenses – 86% of whom are black and Latino – making marijuana possession the number one offense in the City. The group is also critical of the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk practice.


The marijuana arrests, the group says, are the result of “illegal searches” by the NYPD, as part of stop-and-frisks.


The statement continued:

Marijuana was decriminalized in New York State in 1977 – and that law is still on the books. Smoking marijuana in public or having marijuana visible in public, however, remains a crime. Most people arrested for marijuana possession are not smoking in public, but simply have a small amount in their pocket, purse or bag. Often when police stop and question a person, they say “empty your pockets” or “open your bag.” Many people comply, even though they’re not legally required to do so. If a person pulls marijuana from their pocket or bag, it is then “open to public view.” The police then arrest the person.

 LINK TO STORY

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Where do I even begin with this story.  I don't even know what to say except that we all knew this was happening.  I honestly believe in these last days God will reveal a lot of things.  We are already seeing this in the church how prominent pastors are being exposed for their involvement in a number of scandals.  Were we so naive to think that God would only limit his judgement to the church? 1 Corinthians 4:5 says "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."  Isaiah 29:15 says "Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?"

I believe cops like these give the good cops a bad rep.  I appreciate those that take their job seriously and sincerely want to serve and protect the people.  I, however, have no respect for the cops discussed in this story or any other cop guilty of this same offense.  I have always felt that cops were professional bullies.  They use intimidation  and fear tactics and their authority to have their way, often at the expense of the minority community.  I personally take delight when these acts are exposed simply because of what the victims endured all because of a lie.    



Again to those in law enforcement who actually conduct their jobs with honesty and integrity...KUDOS to you!   Wish there were more like you out there.   

Revenge: Is It Yours To Seek?

I saw this posted on facebook and I must say it is right on time with how I'm feeling.  I have been annoyed, agitated, angry, sad, and confused among other things I've been feeling lately.  This picture illustrates what I needed to hear in order to deal with my feelings.  I am still deep in my feelings about feeling unappreciated by people I go out of my way to help.  As I am in the midst of these feelings I received confirmation that someone I thought was a friend really isn't.  The great thing about it is God reveals it to you and gives you a heads up before the situation gets bad.  A few weeks ago I was feeling some kind of way but didn't know why.  When God deals with us we can't always explain why we feel the way we feel but trust me when I say it will be revealed to you.  Needless to say my "friend" isn't really my friend so now I can handle my business and keep it moving.  While I may not understand your issues with me, I'm not going to waste my time trying to figure out.  I will let God deal with that.  A true test of my character is here.  I am in a position to get do harm and get revenge but I made up my mind a long time ago that that's not going to be my style.

Galatians 6:7 states " Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" .

That scripture alone is why I choose to let God handle those that wrong me. If they can handle the consequences then so can I.  A dear friend of mind instructed me to kill them with kindness.  So as I prepare for the rest of my work week, that is exactly what I intend to do.

Tired of Doing it Alone...

I'm sitting here just relaxing after a day at work and I realize (as I have many times before) that I get tired of doing it all on my own.  I fit the description of your typical "independent" woman.  Own car, own place, good job, etc.  I appreciate God blessing me with the abilities and mindset to be independent.  My independence has put me in a position to help a lot of people but sometimes I feel I don't have that support.  If I were in a situation where I was in need who could I call?  I have friends I've supported but if the situation was reversed would they do that for me? I give without expecting anything in return but is it wrong to still want it? It would be nice for someone to say "Hey Ms. Sparkles, you're always helping others and you've helped me numerous times so let me do this for you" or "Ms. Sparkles I just want to tell you I really appreciate you!".  Don't get me wrong, my friends express their appreciation and it means a lot, however, there are others in the past that I have gone through great lengths to help and not so much as a thank you nor do they make an attempt to return the favor.

 I have my mother and my sister but they may not always be there when I need them.  In my mind they don't count because we're so close its not even a question of me needing help is more of a question of when, where, and how much.  This also does not serve to discredit God in anyway.  I'm human and I am sure He understands how and why I feel the way I do.  I just have to remind myself of all He's done for me and realize that I am never truly alone.  Everything that I am able to do is because He's blessed me with the ability to do so.

Reminding myself that I'm never alone... 

Fear My Dreams Just Might Come True

The past 3 years of my life have brought about a lot of job.  Graduating from college, new career opportunities, and even relocating to the city I've always dreamed of.  The past year I've had the feeling that something big is about to happen in my life.  Nothing bad but definitely life changing.   I'm the type of person who worries about things I cannot control.  My spirit feels and anticipate these changes but I find that I am actually scare of it?  I know that doesn't make sense.  In my mind I feel I can do anything and have anything.  The possibilities are endless but the thought that God just might actually bless me with the things I've always wanted actually scares me.  Again I know this does not make sense.    Others recognize potential and talent in me that I am not even aware of.  The fact that this could open to the doors to possibilities that I've never even imagine terrifies.  What am I scared of?  The sad part is I don't know.   Heck I don't even understand it myself.  So what do I do about?  Well I'll do what I've always done.  I pray about and continue to let God lead me.  

So I open the floor for discussion.  What could possibly be the reason for one to feel this way? Lets talk..... 

South Carolina man says new photo ID law will prevent him from voting

Posted on 06.8.11
By David Edwards
Categories: Activism, Featured


Larry Butler told SC Progressive Network that South Carolina’s new voter photo ID law will prevent him from voting. The state won’t issue him a driver’s license because he can’t produce the necessary documentation. Butler does not have a birth certificate because he was not born in a hospital and the elementary school he attended burnt down many years ago so the required records are not available.


Opponents argue that voter photo ID laws unfairly target minorities and the poor who are less likely to have photo identification.


Watch this video from SC Progressive Network, uploaded June 7, 2011.

 

SOURCE 

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My Thoughts:

Situations like this are not uncommon and I feel will become more prevalent as we get closer to the general election.  Various states have or are either in the process of changing their voter registration laws to make it more difficult for people to vote.  One has to ask why?  It can't possibly be because of fraud, there's been all kinds of fraud for years and I don't believe for one second that they are all that concerned about it.  As promised I will keep it real and state what I honestly feel whether its right or wrong.  

Never before have we had a black president and never before have we had a black president running for re-election.  His election to the highest office in this country has shown America and the rest of the world that racism and ignorance is still alive and stronger than ever.  Yes things have changed but people of color cannot be so naive to think that his election alone would change things for the better in terms of race relations or the perception of people of color.  We still have to continue to do our part to implement the change we so desperately want.  President Obama can't do it alone, especially when you have Congress working against him.   So as it stands we have an all out declaration of war where the objective is to keep President Obama from being re-elected by any means necessary.  To hell with our economy, healthcare, or education.   To hell with social services for the needy.  To hell with the struggling middle and lower class.   That is why it is important for each and everyone us to pay attention and stay informed with what's going on in Washington as well as our local governments.  When its time to go to the polls we will know the issues and know what and who we are voting for.  Even more important is that we all go out and vote.  It is becoming more important than ever that we all show up to the polls.  At times it feels our votes don't matter but it goes deeper than that for me.  I know what my people went through just for someone like me to have the right to vote.  In my opinion it is a slap in their faces for me not to vote considering the struggles and hardships they endured considering some of them still never earned the right to vote.

So my final thoughts and hopes are that we educate care ourselves so that we can't be taken advantaged of and we take our knowledge to the polls and vote!  

Lets discuss... 

  

Friends With Benefits Part 1

While watching a Lifetime movie The Tenth Circle, topic of friends with benefits came up.  I could not help but ask myself is this arrangement really among friends and is it truly beneficial?  Is sex between two people who aren't married, or in a relationship for that matter really benefiting either party? Your physical desires may be met momentarily but then what? That desire is determined to return. What about  your emotional being? What if someone develops feelings for the others?  Are they true feelings are just effects of the relationship? What about the long term consequences?


I consider myself a christian woman who is still learning and growing spiritually.  I know I want to get married one day so the consequences of a friends with benefits relationship is not even worth it to me.  Many people fail to realize or even consider for a moment the spiritual implications of engaging in this type of relationship.   These types of relationships tie you to someone who God never intended you to be with and in a way in which you were never meant to be connected.  As a result you delay that marriage you've always wanted.  Do you think God will bring your future spouse into your life while you're sleeping around? As long as you engage in those types of relationships there is no room for your spouse.  Many people will disagree and argue that there are people that can handle that type of relationship but I really don't understand how that can make someone happy.  Why settle for sex with someone you don't love instead of spending your life with someone and having the whole package?


This has been on my mind for a while and I am just beginning to scratch the surface on this topic.


Let's discuss... 

Troy Davis: In My Feelings

It has been 4 days since the execution of Troy Davis and I still find myself in agony.   Cases like these can bring out the best and the worst in a person.  I will spend the rest of my life believe that Troy was innocent.  I still believe the true killer is still out there.  I don't think I could ever encourage the killing of another human being and I most certainly couldn't watch them die.  I keep asking myself what harm would it have done to spare this man's life until the courts could be certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that they indeed had the right man?  It is my desire that everyone who accused this man of murder will live to see the day the true killer is revealed.  While that is my desire, it is my true desire that not my will be done but God's will.


I like to believe that everything happens for a reason.  It is times like this that frustrates me to a point because I want to know that reason but just can't seem to figure it out.  What comforts through it all is to know that God is and always will be in control.   In these coming days we are going to continue to experience the evils of this world and I believe things will get worse.  Does that mean people can't do better?  Absolutely not! There is always room for improvement and we can always do better.   Many will see this as a call to action and many are starting by calling for an end to the death penalty.  My wish is that we take that passion that moved us to advocate for Troy Davis and use it to bring about our own change.  Too many times we rely on others to implement the change we so desire.  We should take this passion to the polls during each and every election.  Today everyone talks about keeping it real.  Well lets do that for a second.  Sybil on the Tom Joyner Morning Show said it best.  These politicians work for us! Election time is there performance evaluation.  Throughout their terms we voice our opinions but we have to follow through.  If they're doing the best that can be expected then rehire them.  If not fire them and give someone else a chance.  Do your research!  We have to stop allowing the media to tell us how we feel. We have take it upon ourselves and research the issues and develop our own opinion based on the facts.   Most importantly I think we have to stick together.  I think about the Civil Rights Era and how they would boycott until something happened.  That's the type of action that needs to take place because these politicians are definitely not looking out for us.


I could go on and on about this and the topic would probably change numerous times along the way but yours truly has to be to work in the morning :)


More thoughts to come....