This whole ordeal with Social Security being cut or done away with completely is the most frightening thing I have ever faced.  Having been on Social Security Disability for the last 10 years due to a disability which was completely beyond my control, if I lose my Social Security Disability I will not be able to afford anything, which includes, housing, utilities, food, medication, doctors, insurances, etc.  I do not live extravagantly by any means.  I drive a 1996 Pickup which is in need of some repair; however, I cannot afford to get it fixed.  I worked 2 jobs for most of my life, lost all of my retirement money due to circumstances beyond my control.   Just after this, I became ill and was no longer able to work.  If I lose my Social Security Disability I will have absolutely nothing to live on.  I worked hard all my life and paid into Social Security all those years and now the government wants to take it away?  It is not just me that this is going to affect, but millions of Americans, including our disabled veterans, who fought for the freedoms, that so many take for granted. If I lose my Social Security Disability, I feel like the person above who stated that we might as well throw ourselves in a trash can and wait to die!  I love this country and I love God and I pray diligently daily for the restoration of America.  It will not do any good to blame anyone for this situation; however, if our political leaders would spend as much time working on a fix to this situation as they spend on backstabbing each other perhaps a compromise of some sort could be accomplished.  The rich are getting richer and the poor, many of which are poor due to circumstances beyond their control, are getting poorer.  What has happened to humanity?  Why was Obama allowed to take money from Social Security when it was specifically designated for our disabled and senior citizens.  I am 60 years old and disabled, I have all I can do to get out of bed each day and do routine things such as laundry, cleaning, fixing something to eat and getting what I need from the grocery store. (No I am not looking for your sympathy, but just explaining why I cannot work and why Social Security is so essential for me.)  I would love to be able to hold a job, but I don't think it would go over too well if I called in sick every other day because the pain is so severe that I cannot get out of bed today.  I didn't wish for this lifestyle, but it is what it is.  Perhaps if the government would quit wasting money on many unnecessary research projects, make cuts in congressional benefits and pay, quit giving the rich so many tax loopholes (Such as claiming dinners on their taxes that did not involve anything to do with their business.) and all the monies that are donated or whatever to run for President and put that money to use in places where it is needed instead of feeding the media.  Our schools are also hurting because of money being spent carelessly by our government.  Now they want to garnish wages from seniors social security because they tried to help their grandchildren to get an education.  We seniors will soon die, but our children and our grandchildren have a lifetime ahead of them; however, what kind of life are they going to have if educational cost are limited?  These young people have also been working and paying into Social Security.  Many have lost their jobs and many are just making ends meet because employers no longer help with medical insurance or allow for cost of living increases. While corporate executives are lining their pockets the middle class worker is struggling just to put food on the table, pay for clothing for their children and to keep a roof over their heads.  Now are we going to put the burden on our children to take care of their aging parents as well, because they have no Social Security.  Something is terribly wrong in Washington and I don't understand all the details of where all the money is going or what the new Obamacare is all about, even though I have read many articles on these subjects, the media is just as corrupt as the government in giving the actual facts and figures.  Let face it, they all make lots of money off the battle between parties and how is one to even believe what the media presents.  Many times they jump the gun trying to get the story in first and therefore end up presenting false information to the public.  It is not only Social Security that needs to be fixed, but the government as a whole.  I don't consider myself to be strictly a Republican or a Democrat, as I have always studied each candidate before I vote and then decide who is the best for the job; however, this election is between two candidates who are not qualified to hold such an important title as the President of the United States; however, what other choices do we have?  I intend to continue to write to our congressmen and women to let them know my opinions.  Just because I am disabled does not mean that my brain no longer works.  And, if the election all boils down to the electoral votes and not the vote of the American people, where does that leave us?  I will probably get a bunch of critical feedback from some who read this; however, I don't want to argue with anyone about what I have expressed in this post.  It is simply called Freedom of Speech.  If you do not agree, that is fine and I just pray that AARP can make its voice heard in Washington to protect Social Security for the future generations to come. I believe that AARP has done a tremendous job in representing and protecting the rights of our seniors and I wish them continued success in resolving the issues that are going to arise if the government continues on the path that it is headed and does take away Social Security/Social Security Disability payments to those who so desperately need this income.  Perhaps one thing that could be done is if someone is still working and has a good income and really doesn't need Social Security for other than play money, we could cut back there.  I know plenty of people who get social security that are still working and making a good income and consider their social security check as just fun money.  Perhaps they should have to wait until they are no longer working to collect their social security so their "fun money" can go towards people who are in desperate need.  I, after having worked HARD all my life, and due to unforeseen circumstances must live out the rest of my life in poverty while those who don't really need their social security yet, can travel and buy luxuries with their "fun money"!  Yes they did pay into the system, but if they can afford to do without it, it would be building interest and make more funds available for those who are in desperate need, and they would still benefit because the more they work and put into the system the more they will get out of it when they do need it.  I am not saying they should never get it, but if they don't need it and are still working, leave it in the pot to help those who do need it as their only source of income.  Thank you to AARP for your continued efforts on behalf of not only seniors but for those younger people whom these decisions of today will affect their future as well.  God Bless America and may we all continue to pray for the restoration of this beautiful country!  
Posted by wendylady52

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security :  Not so simple. If NO changes are made to SS or Medicare they can't continue without increasing the deficit or requiring added taxes. Obama will take over$700 trillionj from Medicare payments  which do not pay any bils entirely now! He reduced FICA which can only mean a bigger deficit in the SS budget which is already increasing daily. We need the change he promised in '08 and didn't deliver.
Posted by krlklar

In Response to Re: Share your fears about Social Security :  Not so simple. If NO changes are made to SS or Medicare they can't continue without increasing the deficit or requiring added taxes. Obama will take over$700 trillionj from Medicare payments  which do not pay any bils entirely now! He reduced FICA which can only mean a bigger deficit in the SS budget which is already increasing daily. We need the change he promised in '08 and didn't deliver.
Posted by krlklar