Thursday Rant...Sort Of

When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see

what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate.

Ann Landers 

I played hooky yesterday. The air was heavy,  hot, and humid with threats of rain,  and I just didn't feel like going out. Instead, I spent the day taking care of practical matters... contacting the Union regarding the holdup is in my pension and basically making some calls and doing some research on what other programs is available for a seniors. And here I thought I had it all together.  Boy, was I fooled.  Never did I realize how complicated this whole retirement thing is. Applying for Social Security was easy.  The worst was yet to come.

I've still not chosen a plan to offset my medicare, so, at this point,I have no prescription plan nor dental. There are just so many to choose from, and all of them seem to offer the world.  Knowing that I'll be tied in for a year, has me scared about jumping into something. I want to choose what is best for my needs.   Fortunately, I have enough medication to last me until the end of October, but I still have to act quickly. 

Everything is tied to everything else.  Food stamps, HEAP, the state insurance program,  and Scrie are tied to my income which is tied to my pension plan. I cannot do anything with any of them until I have a letter regarding my pension income.  Income is also tied to  how much I pay Medicare and the plan that I choose. Everything has to be done in order, and I am just so confused at this point.

Even my rent increase has me more than a wee bit confused.  I received a letter yesterday about my new lease. I cannot believe two years is almost up. How quickly it passed by. The letter says that if I renew for one year  I will pay $1159, but if I choose a two year lease my rent will be $1201. Does this mean if I sign for two years I have to pay $1201 for both years? Personally, if this is the way it is, I don't understand why anyone would  sign anything but a one year lease if that is the case.  Somehow, it seems to me the tenant is being ripped if they choose a two year lease. I've never had a lease before.  Can anyone explain why it is done this way?

I don't want to turn this into a rant, but I when I think of my clients, not those that 'really' need the help  because there are many who do need help to survive.  Mental illness and drug addiction are a b..tch. This is directed toward those, such as my young drug dealer who has nothing physical or mental wrong with him and has never worked a day in his life, yet has many more entitlements than I do, and I worked for fifty years. He plays the system to get what he wants, and the system goes right along with his game.  I just don't understand a system that will basically throw out a red carpet for these young, healthy people who are playing the system and make it so difficult for those of us who have more than paid our dues.  There has to be a better way.

To be continued....