Those Who Do the Right Thing

... almost always get kicked in the teeth.

In February I wanted to know exactly how much longer I could work without losing my Social Security Disability.  (Yes, it's legal.)  So I called them.

I wanted to know not because I was going to quit my job so I didn't lose my benefits, but because I needed to find a better job before the disability payments stopped.  I knew it was coming up soon - this month or next.

Of course, the government being what it is, they apparently think my reason for wanting to know was, in fact, so I could quit my job in time to avoid losing my benefits.

I received a huge packet of forms in the mail today.  They're going to review my case to see if I can continue to get benefits.  They're not supposed to do that; because I was working, I was exempt from medical reviews.

Now they want my medical records.  They want my work history.  Which they should have because, as required by law, I've kept them apprised.  Apparently those phone calls never got entered into the system because they're claiming they didn't know I was working.

They want the name of somebody who's not my doctor, but who's "familiar with my disability."  Presumably so they can catch me in any lies.

Folks, I know there are people who milk the system for every dime they can get.  I know that a "mood disorder" as a disability is hard for some people to swallow.  But I've done the right thing all along.

Now I have to spend hours proving it.  And I still might lose my disability. And Medicare.

I'm thinking of emigrating.

A Rant on Immigration

Q: Why does America have a satellite studying the moon right now?
A: To find out if we'll have someplace to go when we're out of room because of our immigration policies.

My husband and I are pretty far out there on the immigration issues. We believe America should completely close her borders. All of them. Illegal immigrants should be sent to prison and preferably put to hard labor to discourage the repeated attempts to move in. Legal immigrants should meet very strict requirements, similar to those imposed by New Zealand or Ireland - something along the lines of, if you don't have a job waiting for you or $250,000.00 cash, you can't move in. Temporary visas must be enforced - when they expire, out you go.

We need to beef up border security by whatever means possible. Build huge fences with concertina wire on top. Mine the borders. Hell, build moats and fill 'em with alligators! Put up cameras and post those US troops we're pulling back from overseas there so we'll have eyes on every foot of the borders. (Bless you, Minutemen!) We absolutely must get control of the situation. This has to stop.

Yes, I know what it says on the Statue of Liberty. I happen to believe that those words are seriously outdated. The world has changed and the tired, poor and yearning to be free mostly seem to want welfare and free health care. Money for which, by the way, comes out of your pockets and mine.

But we know we're out there on this issue, so we're perfectly willing to accept minor changes. For heaven's sake, don't grant amnesty to the current illegal immigrants unless the citizenship requirements are going to be enforced (not just required). The government wants to offer American citizenship as if it were a prize for coming clean. "Oh, yes, I'm an illegal alien!"

I think they're going to be surprised at how few takers they get. And why should the illegals speak up? They're already here, they've got tax-free jobs and/or welfare plus free health care - what benefit do they get from having to learn English and become citizens? Social Security in their old age? The experts say it won't be there. Oh, goody - they get to pay income tax on their earnings. And incur all those other obligations and expenses involved with being U.S. citizens.

I just don't see it happening, people. Close our borders now - if not for our sakes, then for our children's and their children's...

Whew! I feel better now. I'd love to hear from you on this issue.

It's Not My Fault!

I don't usually rant. I normally try to stay somewhere between cheerful and chirpy as much as to not annoy my husband as to hide my real state of mind. But sometimes something gets under my skin and I have to write about it. I hope you'll get something from this, even if it's just thought-provoking.

I admit that I've sometimes had trouble owning up to my mistakes. But when it comes to the real things, the things of importance, I will face the music. I confess, apologize as needed, and most importantly I admit that in some way that I was at fault for whatever the problem was.

It amazes me how many people today won't take responsibility for their actions. Take my only child, for example. He's 24 and should know better, but everything from being fired from a job because of absenteeism and tardiness to his recent D.U.I. are all "Not My Fault." In his mind he literally has no responsibility for any of it. He was a victim of circumstance, malice, or any of a hundred other absolutions he imagines. So many people, especially our kids, blame others consistently for the consequences of their own actions. "Not My Fault" echoes across America.

It's a social cancer. It started when kids were allowed to escape the consequences of their actions. When we stopped punishing our children for doing things they knew they shouldn't do. When we accepted lame excuses for poor performance, for irresponsibility. When we parents started letting them get away with blaming their problems on something other than their own actions. Those kids grew up and passed it on to their kids. And there's only one way to stop it.

Ask yourself if you're accepting responsibility for your own behavior. If you're not, your kids won't either. The next time you want to blame your situation on someone else, ask yourself if you did something to put yourself there. Remember that the hard road is admitting you put yourself there; the easy road is lying to yourself and blaming somebody else. Both roads have consequences just like everything else in life.

The easy road lets you tell yourself you didn't do anything wrong, you didn't fail at something, you didn't make a mistake. You're just a victim of life, it's not your fault. This kind of thinking lets you be lazy, it relieves you of having to learn to overcome obstacles. Do you really want to live your life as a victim? Helpless and unable to better yourself and your situation in life? I'll bet the answer is no.

Just once take the hard road and accept responsibility for your own actions. It's painful for a little while but your conscience will be clear and more importantly, you'll be in charge of your life. You won't be a victim any more.