tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post3422069763800379198..comments2023-11-02T03:10:39.674-07:00Comments on GeeeeeZ!: Social Security for the rich?Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-61407504591152693912010-10-27T06:06:07.301-07:002010-10-27T06:06:07.301-07:00if most of you were a little older, you'd have...if most of you were a little older, you'd have had grandparents who would have told you that ss was created because the idealistic/PC solution most of you pine for FAILED.<br />also, the common interwebz propaganda that lifespan was shorter than age of eligibility is false. expected lifespan was 63. *earliest* eligibility (voluntary) was 62. roughly equal. however, they failed to increase eligibility from 62 while lifespans increased. <br />there should have been net "losses" at the beginning because the first recipients couldn't contribute in the years preceding ss's existence. (although, payments may have been small, and of course number of contributors was higher than recipients)<br />just as now, retiring and beginning to take ss early reduces the monthly payment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-84824268191911612932010-10-05T08:05:00.858-07:002010-10-05T08:05:00.858-07:00It doesn't. Dietary suppliments aren't &qu...<b> It doesn't. Dietary suppliments aren't "witchcraft."<br /><br /> Refining grain ergot into LSD is.</b><br /><br /> Ok.<br /><br /><b>I'm so thankful for the evil pharmaceuticals that help remedy my low TSH levels.</b><br /><br /> Hopefully, my thoughts were not understood to be "all prescription medications are evil".<br /><br /> What my concern centers around is the overall safety of them along with the fact that the pharmaceutical companies wield a tremendous amount of power over individuals who are taking their patented medicines. I don't think its accidental that nutrition and "alternative" treatments involving diet and herbal foods are not advertised with the same aggressiveness as pills. People who think they have options aren't as likely to quietly accept whatever they're offered.<br /><br /> In that respect, I can see the potential connection between "pharmaceutical" and "sorcery"-- the latter practice which, to my understanding, often is intentionally focused on subjugating another person.<br /><br /> Even the instilled attitude that "I" deserve something and the bill ought to be covered by someone else is leverage of power by way of education.<br /><br /> Beamish already made the point about where this could eventually lead. It's what made me sit up and take note of the potential for govt controlled SS and national health care to take a very nasty turn.<br /><br /> HCraig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-59774750661979113762010-10-05T08:02:31.197-07:002010-10-05T08:02:31.197-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-23385379968124696792010-10-05T04:05:56.814-07:002010-10-05T04:05:56.814-07:00Sometimes alternative "meds" work, somet...Sometimes alternative "meds" work, sometimes not.<br /><br />Once addictions became diseases, the door was opened for health-insurance plans to pay all the costs.<br /><br />It's actually fairly easy to get SSDI for alcoholism, but for other physical conditions one didn't bring on oneself, it's harder to get SSDI. Go figure.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-5316683301816251632010-10-04T23:25:04.602-07:002010-10-04T23:25:04.602-07:00I'm so thankful for the evil pharmaceuticals t...<i>I'm so thankful for the evil pharmaceuticals that help remedy my low TSH levels. I don't feel like hammered poo-poo anymore because of my daily addiction to Levoxyl.</i><br /><br />Who said the pharmaceuticals are evil? I didn't. If you pay for the private insurance that helps you pay for them or pays for them outright, take 'em all. <br /><br />Hell, snort cocaine bought from some unlicensed pharmacist if you want. Just don't ask me to pay for what you put in yourself out of a sense that you're "entitled" to it. <br /><br />Is that too much to ask? <br /><br />That's my rant. I'm talking about the addictive "someone else will pay for it" disorder America has cultivated when it comes to social programs.<br /><br />The step to recovery is realizing we have a problem.(((Thought Criminal)))https://www.blogger.com/profile/17311656184275255223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-82208002169077224082010-10-04T22:41:01.282-07:002010-10-04T22:41:01.282-07:00Interesting bit concerning herb-cutter=poisoner. I...<i>Interesting bit concerning herb-cutter=poisoner. I was wondering about that, as many herbs are perfectly safe and nutritious if used with common sense as food. I wouldn't think that making use of inherent healing properties of plants would count as witchcraft.</i><br /><br />It doesn't. Dietary suppliments aren't "witchcraft." <br /><br />Refining grain ergot into LSD is.(((Thought Criminal)))https://www.blogger.com/profile/17311656184275255223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-30971482360401846392010-10-04T22:14:27.215-07:002010-10-04T22:14:27.215-07:00Beamish, for goodness sake; are you suggesting peo...<i>Beamish, for goodness sake; are you suggesting people who have to resort to drugs didn't or don't try alternatives before they have to resort to it?<br />You're sounding rather like liberals here, my dear buddy; telling everyone what they ought to be doing!</i><br /><br />I would think if I was trying to sound "like liberals" I'd have added some some specific instructions to read what I had to say with a Bullwinkle voice. ;)<br /><br />I'm merely casing out the alternative. If you can afford to supplement your diet with BP medication, by all means do so. <br /><br />But if your BP medication means it's paid for with money the government has to tax someone to pay for it, including yourself, at what point should you stop feeling "entitled" to it?<br /><br />Hitler took over paying for and providing health care. Then he started "cutting costs" with a euthanasia program.<br /><br />He started with hereditary diseases and the mentally ill first.<br /><br />Now look forward:<br /><br />National Medical Records Database...<br /><br />"Computer, who's taking Wellbutrin?"(((Thought Criminal)))https://www.blogger.com/profile/17311656184275255223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-89180895024502567042010-10-04T21:11:12.689-07:002010-10-04T21:11:12.689-07:00I'm so thankful for the evil pharmaceuticals t...I'm so thankful for the evil pharmaceuticals that help remedy my low TSH levels. I don't feel like hammered poo-poo anymore because of my daily addiction to Levoxyl.<br /><br />duhAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-63848923282221536592010-10-04T20:12:12.467-07:002010-10-04T20:12:12.467-07:00Beamish, for goodness sake; are you suggesting pe...Beamish, for goodness sake; are you suggesting people who have to resort to drugs didn't or don't try alternatives before they have to resort to it?<br />You're sounding rather like liberals here, my dear buddy; telling everyone what they ought to be doing!<br /><br />Nobody's advocating drugs here, nobody likes to take them but, when you're 65 and nothing will bring that bp down and you're facing stroke, you'll remember this exchange as you gobble down some HCT.<br />Cholesterol's mostly familial..ain't NUTTIN' you can do if that's the case...Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-18516476788047184902010-10-04T19:40:10.351-07:002010-10-04T19:40:10.351-07:00Thanks Beamish.
I'm on the fence with the pre...Thanks Beamish.<br /><br />I'm on the fence with the prescription stuff. Mostly for the reasons you noted. The standard method of medical treatment seems to be cut, burn or poison. control the symptoms rather than actually accomplish healing. <br /><br />Sobering thing, though, how so many prescription and otc drugs can be toxic in such small amounts.<br /><br />Interesting bit concerning herb-cutter=poisoner. I was wondering about that, as many herbs are perfectly safe and nutritious if used with common sense as food. I wouldn't think that making use of inherent healing properties of plants would count as witchcraft.<br /><br /><br /><br />HCraig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-74537008272421839312010-10-04T18:54:17.060-07:002010-10-04T18:54:17.060-07:00H,
You are correct in the Greek etymological orig...H,<br /><br />You are correct in the Greek etymological origins of "pharmaceutical" from <i>pharmekia</i> soes mean witchcraft, specifically herb-cutting for potions, poisons, etc. <br /><br />It's the same as the Hebrew word translated "witch" in "do not suffer a witch to live" literally meant "herb-cutter" or "poisoner."<br /><br />I don't think it was an indictment against medicine so much as it was against poisoners.<br /><br />That said...<br /><br />Z,<br /><br />Prescription drugs are an addiction as people rely upon them to manage (notice I didn't say "treat" or "cure") an illness. Take blood pressure medicine so they can keep smoking cigarettes or gobble down triple cheeseburgers with bacon, doing no real work to lower they BP by changing diets, exercise, etc. <br /><br />Just keep on clogging up the arteries and take Cumitin to keep the blood from clotting around the cholesterol blockage.<br /><br />Personally, I think Cumitin is a death sentence. A Cumitin eater having a happenstance bruising slip and fall runs the risk of bleeding to death internally because their blood it so thin and clotting agents are suppressed. Nasty stuff really.<br /><br />Want to lower you BP? Cut back or cut out salt. Crush peanuts on your salad rather than cheese. Don't smoke (looks at self). Don't try to explain basic economics to a leftist. <br /><br />Simple things. The cholesterol got there, after all, by what you ate. Have some spicy foods. Turn your bloodstream into an acidic bath for your veins. Chemical warfare on any bacterias in there. Peppers, onions, and yes even ewww yucky garlics. Curry and cayenne if you must go nuclear. <br /><br />When I'm sick, General Tso's Chicken is the cure. Or Hot Tamales.<br /><br />I have used more organic homeopathic remedies (oops, herb-cutting...) to resolve illnesses before with success, and I haven't had to keep taking a pill everyday for it.<br /><br />I'm not saying "don't take prescription meds," but when I see people taking all sorts of pills together, many of which exacerbate side effects which are treated by other pills with their own side effects, hence the folks with $900+ per month prescriptions, I wonder how humanity got by just fine for thousands of years just by killing animals and eating them. <br /><br />You aren't what you eat, but your health can be.(((Thought Criminal)))https://www.blogger.com/profile/17311656184275255223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-84473889297013666592010-10-04T15:34:08.877-07:002010-10-04T15:34:08.877-07:00I think he used the term 'habit' jokingly ...<b>I think he used the term 'habit' jokingly </b><br /><br />That's possible. My mind went to the fact that some doctors don't seem to use much discretion in who/when they prescribe. Some even offer free samples to potential long term prescribees.<br /><br />Maybe I'll check back later tonight to see if he offers any explanation.<br /><br />I hope you have a good afternoon, Z.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-24659272483057917732010-10-04T15:20:36.599-07:002010-10-04T15:20:36.599-07:00I think he used the term 'habit' jokingly ...I think he used the term 'habit' jokingly as if real drugs people actually need are that kind of habit..but I got sensitive because, of course, NOBODY wants to take pills for illnesses; they just wish the illness would go away!Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-56790334969128456712010-10-04T15:15:10.555-07:002010-10-04T15:15:10.555-07:00Ok Z. Sometimes, upon reviewing my comments, I wo...Ok Z. Sometimes, upon reviewing my comments, I wonder if they appear to be insensitive to where others are.<br /><br />I know very little about cholesterol or heart medication. Some pain medication can be hallucinogenic and highly addictive. I've seen the ugly effects there, and suppose one could describe long term use of such as a "habit". <br /><br />I'd be interested to hear what beamish actually meant by likening prescription and street drug use.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-43717385905702045842010-10-04T14:54:47.707-07:002010-10-04T14:54:47.707-07:00Heather, I don't think anybody feels 'beat...Heather, I don't think anybody feels 'beat up' by you...Least of all me. !<br />What I'm trying to tell Beamish is that drug use among older people is not a 'habit' like smoking pot or snorting coke, that's all. SOmetimes, people have to do what they have to do.<br />you take care, too.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-81296303419406638732010-10-04T14:38:03.142-07:002010-10-04T14:38:03.142-07:00I'm sorry anybody has to take any drugs at all...<b>I'm sorry anybody has to take any drugs at all.</b><br /><br />Of course I agree with you on this, Z. And I'm not trying to beat up you or anyone else over the drug issue. I have concerns, but certainly don't have all the answers, either. <br />And we all have to live according to conscience and what information is available to us at any given time. <br /><br />Take care.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-5394812067163521902010-10-04T14:26:36.596-07:002010-10-04T14:26:36.596-07:00I'm not a doctor and obviously can't argue...I'm not a doctor and obviously can't argue what pills are necessary for each individual patient. That some are necessary and demand others to counteract some of their effects is just part of the drug situation. Mr. Z took a medicine that forced him to take another and he did very well with them both.<br />I'm sorry anybody has to take any drugs at all.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-83178828534561965212010-10-04T13:28:48.499-07:002010-10-04T13:28:48.499-07:00I started getting nervous about prescription drugs...I started getting nervous about prescription drugs when I learned that the word "pharmaceutical" is related by way of Greek to the concept of witchcraft.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-79515068922263883362010-10-04T13:09:50.333-07:002010-10-04T13:09:50.333-07:00Heather, I"m talking about cholesterol loweri...<b>Heather, I"m talking about cholesterol lowering drugs, blood pressure management drugs, Cumidin, etc etc..the things older people take, that is not a 'habit' they enjoy, trust me! :-)</b><br /><br />Oh yes. I know someone who worked as administrator at the local retirement home. The number of pills many older people take is unreal.<br /><br />It is entirely possible, though, that the side effects of taking one drug soon require a second or third to counteract and re-balance an undesirable reaction to the first.<br /><br />It is also interesting to note how quickly some doctors will prescribe medication for symptoms without running tests for things like allergies or dietary deficiency. ADD and depression sufferers often can adopt special diets and see a tremendous amount of improvement. This can be true for those dealing with other health issues as well. <br />But nervous people can be told by doctors that they need medication for something and they will accept this without question because they see their doctor as an "expert". <br /><br />I'm not saying prescription medication is never beneficial. I just fear it's become the catch-all solution to America's health concerns. And often, the list of extras that attend long term medication are very unpleasant.<br /><br />HCraig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-26870474541818058822010-10-04T11:59:31.045-07:002010-10-04T11:59:31.045-07:00Heather, I"m talking about cholesterol loweri...Heather, I"m talking about cholesterol lowering drugs, blood pressure management drugs, Cumidin, etc etc..the things older people take, that is not a 'habit' they enjoy, trust me! :-)<br /><br />AOW...will check out your old post, thanks! $500 a MONTH? HOLY SMOKE!Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-14304125754540260902010-10-04T10:33:56.335-07:002010-10-04T10:33:56.335-07:00Don't many retirees draw out more than they pa...Don't many retirees draw out more than they paid into a pension fund?<br /><br />What keeps pension funds solvent at all? How the funds were invested.<br /><br />So, what happened to all those Social Security monies paid in.<br /><br />In my case, the biggest drain on my income is the local real-estate taxes in Northern Virginia. And I live in a "tear down"! Nonetheless, I pay over $500 every month in real-estate taxes and collection fees (trash, leaves, etc.).Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-57469287936764557112010-10-04T10:30:58.870-07:002010-10-04T10:30:58.870-07:00Here's a thought....If Social Security payment...Here's a thought....If Social Security payments are discontinued for those with $2 million, should <b>ANY</b> retirement plan for those with $2 million be discontinued?<br /><br />Let's start with Congress and whatever retirement plan our so-called elected representatives have.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-61651705118634695152010-10-04T10:17:35.690-07:002010-10-04T10:17:35.690-07:00Beamish said:
Don't get me started on the Ri...Beamish said: <br /><br /><i>Don't get me started on the Ritalin Generation coming up now.</i><br /><br />Back when Ritalin was first handed out like candy, some of us sounded warning bells. To no avail. Ritalin was a parental aid.<br /><br />The Ritalin generations are, no doubt, set up for addiction patterns. In fact, Ritalin stimulates the same neurons as does cocaine and other uppers.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-54860195061210901682010-10-04T10:13:35.701-07:002010-10-04T10:13:35.701-07:00Z,
I did post about the matter of taking a governm...Z,<br />I did <a href="http://alwaysonwatch2.blogspot.com/2010/07/featured-question-conservative.html" rel="nofollow">post</a> about the matter of taking a government job last July. I think that I lost some blogging friends over the topic. Oh, well.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5516627478339613810.post-90903593522532150022010-10-04T08:59:50.372-07:002010-10-04T08:59:50.372-07:00I avoid pills like the plague. I'm even skepti...<b>I avoid pills like the plague. I'm even skeptical of over-the-counter meds. Especially the discount "generic" ones made in Chinese and Pakistani paint factories.</b><br /><br />Good point.<br /><br />I couldn't believe the warning on the side of the OTC inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.<br /><br />Stomach bleeding, hives, facial swelling, anaphylactic shock, ....and if you're taking acetaminophen, you get the bonus risk of liver failure.<br /><br />And pediatricians always recommend the stuff to help deal with post-vaccination fever and swelling.<br /><br />The treatment can be worse than the ailment.<br /><br />Makes you wonder if the problem is with the drug itself or in the contaminants that might be in the bottle along with.Craig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.com