" FG I am not the type to back down from a simpleton-that has some ridiculas notion that struggling means similar to homeless/starvation/diseased persons only.
EVERYONE has struggled in some shape or form-no one is perfect.for HE talks like he IS!
Just because I have material items that others dont, doesnt make me rich in money. because I have worked doesnt make me a Burden when I might need it!

I still stand by my statement that WE have to make personal cuts. BUSH did not force us to lives our lives the way we do.
Inflation has been and will always be! Why complain about the -536- overspending when WE overspend.
Why complain about the corporations when WE purchase from them!
Why is it daily-the war costs-get over it--its happening-even if Iraq ends, Afghanistan will continue only in full-force even under Obama!
Oh write your congressman-well he will be bribed for some "pork" he wants!

Most, have been/are right now/or will be Katrina Luv. We will struggle. and hopefully we will survive!

"

" I think on this issue KARL might agree with me. I have worked since I was 15, the time I got help with assistance it was for food and medical NOT a monthly check-I worked 2 jobs, ALL in all I have only NOT worked 1yr--which sums up to ME PAYING IN to medicade/medicare for 30 years--I wouldn't be burdening you SINCE I HAVE ALREADY PAID & continue to do so!!!! "

" BUT HE DOESN't have health insurance and YOU may need to PAY for him when HE has a medical crisis!
I guess HE BETTER get his priorities straight too HUH??? "

" Bush is just one of the major front men of those who are responsible. He's a big one, but it isn't just him alone. He has generations of the wealthy and powerful who have molded laws to increase and preserve their wealth and power and to keep everyone else down.

BTW, my grandfather was a union organizer in the early years when the corporations treated employees like garbage and workers needed protections. The unions made very important changes for the better of the people - in those early years. Now they are just another part of the problem, having corrupted the good intentions of these early fighters.

Katrina -- the successful debt collector is a nasty person -- that's why they are good at their jobs. Tell them NOTHING. They will use any trick they can to squeeze money out of you -- money that you don't have or you would have sent it to them already. They will call other people with your same last name and hassle them. They'll call your workplace if they know what it is (if you have one). Ignore their nastiness and tell your family to hang up if such a person calls. They like to make people feel like dirt, even decent, honest people who've fallen on hard times.

If you offer to send a small amount, they have to accept it. They can hassle you all they want, they can claim you MUST send more, but they can't DO anything if you have a payment agreement and send a little something regularly. Back in my bad old days, sometimes that meant as little as $2-$5 a month -- but it showed you were making an honest effort.

And if the situation is bad enough you are forced into bankruptcy, you can get relief from debt collectors immediately -- as soon as you have your bankruptcy underway, debt collectors are forbidden from calling you.

AJ and cm -- enough with the personal sniping already. It's not like you are trying to work out a common ground or come to mutual agreement on anything, and it's devolved so that it isn't even about taking different sides on an issue, it's just the two of you insulting each other. Can you call it quits, please? "

" Karl isn't a hypocrite cm.., and unlike you, he usually knows what he's talking about. "

" WOW the STRUGGLING continues on:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20200271,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines "

" I believe June 1st is the start of hurricane season in FL. watch the news for how many more insurance companies bail out-even though people have paid well thru the past year, and they didn't have a single hit last year! "

" movedsouth, good point--many who have had insurance for years are dropped the second a BIGGY payout IS needed by the insurance company!!
People with already diagnosed cancer,heart,back problems, etc. can't even GET insurance. If they happen to get lucky and find a company, they will pay triple the deductible and co-pays and not use the insurance for those purposes for the first 2 yrs!
Recently there is a huge concern for Autism children being dropped from their parents insurance such as: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12829221h
OR read: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4515825&page=1

"

" AJ STATES: please don't ever apply for Medicare/Medicaid and burden US with YOUR problem."

I guess that also goes for your pal Karl--he has NO health insurance either!!!

"

" AJ corporations are not the worst offenders, it's welfare! Yes, I do watch Fox news, I LIKE TO SEE MULTIPLE SIDES OF AN ISSUE. WHY IS FOX THE #1 RATED NEWS NETWORK? CARE TO RESPOND? I guess the majority of people aren't as smart as you. "

" AJ, I do not believe you are compassionate. What if a catastrophic health problem happens? Anyone can have insurance and still pay a considerable sum. When you have something and things turn against the way you think they will, you deal with it the best you can. I think cm seems to be doing that. What about disasters? What about New Orleans, the 9th ward. It seems like that was a bunch of people waiting to have someone take care of them. People in CA, when fires hit say they will rebuild. They are not looking for handouts. "

" Who made the corporations as big as they are? This UNION thought it was a great idea to merge with another UNION and have more power--The UNION workers loved all the benny's and the great pay to boot!
Members of the UNIONS=greedy Americans! "

" I guess if I wanted the system to bail me out of a medical bill I WOULD HAVE ALLREADY been there huh?
But then again I would be using my huby tax money and mine when I work seasonally! huh?
Lucky for me I DON'T live in Canada and have to wait MONTHS on end to see a doctor of my choice!!

"

" I am always railing against those who abuse the system cm, and you should know this. It's just that it seems we have different ideas as to who the worst offenders are. In my book, it is the corporations. They make the occasional [poor] welfare cheats pale in comparison, but you and the dittoheads just never get it. "

" UNPLANNED HOSPITAL BILL

Good for you. Just don't ask me to bail you out because you can't pay it and have to sell your house to do so. Of course single payer health care (as in Canada) and you wouldn't have this problem. But since I know you are against it, please don't ever apply for Medicare/Medicaid and burden US with YOUR problem. "

" I didn't vote for Bush and I'm not his cheerleader either. But I'll bet you did, and I have read enough of your posts to know that you are his cheerleader.

nuff said..

"

" Sympathy? It is you who cries BUSH did it me all day long! I say take responsibility for ONES OWN ACTIONS!
If you DONT want the PRES to spend monies we DONT have then why praise others who: abuse the system/charge beyond their ability to pay/over-extending education loans/or simply spend way beyond their means?!

I have 1 car loan, 1 mortgage, 1 credit card with an owed balance of 125.00--everything else is paid for in full.
(except the unplanned hospital bill)
What an irresponsible person I am. hahaha
"

" poor decision making and spendthrift habits leading to needing help?
No where since '82 have I asked the system for help!
You remind me of my snorting sister,"must be nice to afford a house, a car, pool, or take a trip"!
My reply is "you can have what I have"
includes home repairs,vehicle repairs, rising insurance for both,showing my kids other areas of the country!
If they were all such bad choices for ME-then why is she homeless and her kids are in jail?
"

" By the way, cm, what are you going to do when some catastrophic health problem comes your way? I hope you don't plan on applying for Medicare/Medicaid, since it was YOUR choice NOT to buy insurance. "

" One last time so as not to be misunderstood - my problem is with cm's obvious hypocrisy (based on many previous posts)

She'll never get any sympathy from me. "

" No kidding movedsouth? That is an incredible acknowledgement of reality for a Fox newser and dittohead. But you do miss the point that I am far more compassionate, I just hate hypocrites.



"

" nest time you get in real trouble and are looking for a safety net that is not there any longer, please don't come crying here cm.

You have in the past berated others for their poor decision making and spendthrift habits leading to needing help, while you are one step away from needing it yourself, based on your own less than wise spending habits. Your hypocrisy is breathtaking. "

" AJ, peoples financial situations change. Loss or reduction of job, large increases in heating costs, fuel, medical, and living beyond one's means. To put down someone who is doing their best to deal with it, shows you are a real jerk. I see, compassion is not one of your good points, if you have any at all. "

" Well AJ since you memorize my posts-then you'd remember the one I said about being like my mom--IF YOU HAVE IT SPEND IT,YOU cant take it with you when you die! Then How realizing not ALL of my dads ideals(save save save) were totally off the wall.
Some paid for the down payment of the house-is that not an investment?
I paid 50grand,appraisal is 125, market is 175! I consider that a good savings plan!!
It is in no way being contradicting-it's called LIFE you live and learn.

To YOU Bush is the downfall of everything-please. Atleast I take responsibility for my actions NOT blame someone else!
Are you seriously trying to convince me that there is no inflation EVERY year?
Maybe you best talk your your grandparents or parents more and watch FAUX news less!
"

" Bush IS stealing half of OUR money to pay for an illegal war that benefits a few. Does this not count as something?

You go on blaming yourself cm, as you should, but I'll put most of the blame squarely where it belongs, on Bush. "

" Brew, I calls em as I sees them. I have been reading cm's posts long enough to get a sense that she doesn't have a clue, and deserves no respect. She's a walking, talking contradiction.

They've censored two of my posts here which clarified what I think about cm's struggle, and my own - not even anything mean, just a result of observations over time.

If you don't like my posts, so be it. "

" cm, you are just a walking, talking contradiction. You always talk
about priorities, yet you seem to have yours messed up most of the
time. With your decisions it's amazing you can afford a pool. Not a
very smart move buying all that extravagance from a settlement when you
should have been saving.

I think you should be the last person on earth to chastise anyone else
about the decisions they make. "

" Thanks Brew! I guess I totally disagree with AJs mentality on the word STRUGGLE>
Am I better off living in the USA than Africa-YES
Am I better off than a homeless family-YES (only one paycheck away)
Am I better off than the tornado/earthquake/fire/cyclone victums-YES
BUT like another other middle class family right now-STRUGGLING!
I see no point in blaming BUSH alone-IT does begin with ME. I have to personally make cuts, I have to take responsibility for my own credit woes.
BUSH didnt apply and mail me credit cards and force me to use them!
Bush didnt force me to buy a house and take on all repairs/upgrades.
Bush didnt force me to install a pool/with added repairs,weekly chemical costs.
Those were MY choices!
Has food gone up-YES BUT food goes up every year.
Has fuel gone up-YES-but it also goes up every year.(upgrades to outdated systems)
GAS-doesnt it go up every Memorial Day/Spring break/summer vacation times/Labor Day weekend? IT has for as long as I can remember! SAME stats thru Nixon,Carter,Clinton,Bush.

As Americans we all have the same gripes as those in the 70's/80's/90's.
INFLATION=STRUGGLE (in some sort of way)
"

" AJ, I usually back you politically and I don't ever remember agreeing with CM on anything, but you are bordering on disrespect. I think you barked up the wrong tree and you are being defensive. That is just my opinion. Take it as you like. "

" Everyone struggles AJ-levels of struggle differs in all minds.
Donald Trump probably thought he was struggling when he divorced Ivana! "

" Hmmmm, is there some censorship going on or is the ether expanding? Two posts not showing up tonight. "

" Thanks movedsouth, I am all heart, except where it comes to hypocrites. "

" AJ, you're all heart! What do you think it means to struggle? "

" Aj --you think because I could afford so much 10yrs ago that I must not/or never have struggled?!!!
I think after an injury that keeps you in a machine to bend your legs 8hrs a day for 4 months straight isnt struggling?
Not that its any of your business but vehicle 1='89 truck/#2='96 van/#3='99 sportage BET YA thought they were all Hummers huh?! "

" what's your idea of struggle AJ?
Have I been homeless-NO. But came close a few times!
Have I been on the system? Yes, way back in 82-enough to get on my feet and work 2 jobs!!
Have I had my electric turned off-YES-more than once-came close last year!
Do I have medical on myself? NO! not in my budget.YET, Faced with 35,000 for a stent put in.
Remember your words-military men get paid crap--well hubby was in for 10yrs!!
so I guess we lived on riches!!! hahaha

BECAUSE I don't live in Africa I must be rich!!???
In 94-I had an injury-surgery on both knees at the same time-I settled, that time I was WAY up..I bought the vehicles, a camper, I treated family members to vacations, I donated, Everyone in my life benefited from MY 4 yrs of being laid-up.
AJ, I am human--with that I have had my ups and downs! I don't run to ask for aid unless I am desperate! Even with my bills last year I wasn't that desperate.

Are there people worse off than I am--of course! Several of them lived with me-In the 20yrs I have been married we have lived ALONE for ONLY the last 6 months!!

I am by no means a rich snob.
"

" yeah cm, you have it really tough. Real difficult choices you have to make huh?

You have no idea what it means to struggle so don't think YOUR opinions mean anything on this issue. "

" Judge Corning was tough(on all)..
I just took my daughter to the library,her school had NO books on Cuba-for a report due Friday. I checked out Marley & Me..Both of my girls are very strong readers, which FREE time at the library is great! Plus DVD's to rent free too. I haven't allowed books on CD yet.
We also like to do alot of crafting-especially for gifts.Her 3rd grade class did BIO's--hers was so much fun and VERY cheap to put together.Now all her cousins want us to make one for them with pics we have.
With costs going up and staying home more often is really doesnt have to be in front of the TV. "

" Our little public libraries in Aurora and Poplar Ridge have many regular users who can't afford even that. That's one of the things about libraries -- making sure that every American has access to information, regardless of income.

(I raised two kids completely without television, forget cable -- it can be done).

Corning actually found in favor of a female in his court? Astonishing. First example of its kind I've heard from any number of people who went before him in family court. "

" I once went before Judge Corning on a child support issue. The judge asked my EX "do you have cable" the EX stated yes, Judge Corning said "cable is a luxury NOT a necessity, turn it off, pay for your son or go to jail."

Obviously if Ms.Luv read our online responses--she has cable!

kidding aside. I totally agree times are real tough for many-middle class to poor. BUT we DO have to begin with ourselves!
If we don't have the monies to pay our credit card bill next month then don't use it to charge this month!

gabbing with hubby: 10 yrs ago we had 4 kids at home and in school, he made less pay,rent was 1200.00, water was 400.00 a month BUT we were financially good!
Right now we have 1 kid home & in school, he makes double in pay, mortgage is 600.00, water is 35.00 and we are struggling!
I turned on my pool pump, which will raise my electric, owning 4 vehicles, I took 1-2-3 off the road to cover for the soon to be added expense!
Last year my electric bills were NOT less than 800.00 a MONTH (1800sq.ft home)for 6 months straight!
I added timers to the hot water tank,cut down pool pump hours,insulated,installed all new ducts,had the central heat/air unit cleaned & checked out, I EVEN had the electric company here for the free evaluation(they found nothing).

I have a work comp.injury-COMP is not paying me a dime,barely approves doctors and med's! I have many boo-hoo stories, BUT in order to keep my child in activities I HAVE TO MAKE HOUSEHOLD CUTS!
I am sorry but it DOES have to begin with yourself!
If my electric bill hits 400.00 the HBO package is gone!


"

" Katrina. please complain to Hillary about your situation. I would bet you voted for her and she has always said that she would fight for you. Good Luck!!! "