My top 10 real Truths....(or what is coming down the pike)

[catnhatnh]

1.For 3 years I wore a donor star. Now I can't afford to.Just like I now know each package of meat in my freezer and how to get two meals out of each one. Like how I have a registered car in the driveway I can't drive-the engine light is on-that means thar even if I pay the inspection fee-my state uses OBD sensors only-whatever it guesses is wrong I have to correct up to $750 before I get a waiver....so a 96 contour that gets over 25mpg is junk....

2.I collect social security disability payments....when I was injured in 1999 they were $1143, and now they are about $1260....but my part B medicare has eaten every raise...inflation-wise I lost money.

3.I complain a lot about the government.When I google me I seem like a dissident. And with their surveillance I'm guessing I'm listed.

4.Death and injury SEEMS non-immediate here.But if you ask around you'll find someone who's closely affected.

5.War Crimes never die-95 year old Nazis face charges-do not for a minute think ours will escape.

6.Socialism was never about taking from the rich. It was always about making sure no one can't live because of economic reasons.

7.When all the smoke clears neither democrat is the ideal.

8.Next month the candidate nonsense will be moot-and for most of us irrelevent.

9.The price of oil will rise.

10. A year from now, I will have lost my house.I don't know where I'll be living nor whether there will be heat.Ain't no guarantees but that is my best guess-I'll work my ass off and hope for one more year of delay-
But I'm betting their are many of us on the edge....

[NightWatcher]

1. re: #3. I am not a huge fan of the google conection

I hate searching for something only to find one of my rants. I am not a fan of google and their 'database connections'. I was disappointed to find out that DU had signed some deal.

[Orrex]

2. I had a 96 Contour. It's very possibly the oxygen sensor

Actually, the oxygen sensors. That stupid car uses two of them, fore and aft of the converter. To have them both swapped out would likely run you around $500. Still far too much to pay, considering the overall bluebook worth of the vehicle. You have my deepest sympathies!

Would you mind revealing your approximate age, or perhaps your generation? The direness of your situation relates directly to your age in many cases.


Again, you have my sympathies!

[catnhatnh]

4. I believe in openess...

I am 54-I was hurt just before I turned 46-I tore up 3 discs at a factory.It ain't that dire-I may survive but the odds aren't good.
I'm embarassed as hell-someone donated to get me a star.That wasn't where I was heading-I was posting about how my neighbors are doing and about what it means when each day of the week the white vans drive thru to turn off something for somewone....the white vans and mail trucks with registered mail are the plague wagons of where we live now...

[Orrex]

5. Sorry--I didn't mean to call you out

I'm 36, just for the record.

Your back injury sucks. Are you on disability? It seems that a work-related injury preventing you from maintaining employment should entitle you to compensation. I'm no lawyer, but if you haven't pursued this avenue, you should; social security won't cut it longterm.

The economy sucks in every way imaginable--and then some--unless you're rich, in which case it's fantastic. My wife and I discuss the state of the nation at least daily, and there's little to give one optimism except the strong possibility that a strong Democrat will take the Whitehouse in November and thereafter set our country on the correct course.

I hate to say "hang in there," because it's not much more than a band-aid of a sentiment. I hate to hear about your neighborhood, because such stories are tragic. And the even greater tragedy is that your neighborhood is every neighborhood in America.

[catnhatnh]

7. Oh Hell....

showing interest is miles from being offensive which is still three steps from calling out...
I am on disability-and have been since the day I got hurt-though it took over 2 years to collect nickle one....I now live on SSD-social security disability...It means being careful and close when spending.I would much rather be able to do what I did.The sad part is that maybe one day in ten I almost could....and believe me-I was a bull.
I will,indeed, hang in as long as I can.It may be 6 months or it may be a year or even forever....the post was about the truth-many here are hurting and hard times are coming....take care.

[truedelphi]

36. On someone donating a star - they are NOT giving you pity

They are awarding you for your courage.

It takes a whole lot of Guldarn courage to get out of bed each day knowing that things are the same or possibly worse.

It might well be easier to rush into a burning fire and do something heroic than to day after day face the same old crap.

[roguevalley]

9. catnhatnh, i hug you.

:grouphug:

[Fumesucker]

10. Oxygen sensors

About 70% chance your Contour needs an oxygen sensor, or maybe both..

They are about $60 each at Autozone and are the kind of thing that's not that difficult to change yourself or have someone that's handy do for you.

http://www.autozone.com/N,16000117//shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

A 96 or later car has OBD2 which simplifies troubleshooting quite a bit.. There will be a connector under the dash that a code reader plugs into.. Code readers are quite cheap these days..

Here is one on ebay for $25 with shipping included.

http://tinyurl.com/6aqlan

[catnhatnh]

12. I appreciate the info...

Just for fun,my state only tests OBD-any car 95 or older gets a pass....mine runs fine but won't pass...Cash flow...$1107 monthly direct deposit....minus mortgage $540...electric $110....phone and cable $80...insurances $80...that leaves just under $300 a month-before food or heating oil or frivilous shit like anything else....so $120 for oxygen sensors might as well be $3 million for leasing jumbo jets.

[Fumesucker]

15. We dropped satellite a long time ago..

Been watching TV over the DSL for several years now.. Don't even have a land line phone, just DSL.. I use Skype for my calls, costs about $5 a month and my wife has a cell for her work..

Download all our movies from Bittorrent, haven't rented a movie in years.

If you don't have the money to put an oxygen sensor on then you couldn't afford car insurance anyway.

I know what it's like to be broke.. We're four months behind on our mortgage right now and we have Countrywide.. They call about three times a day looking for money.

A suggestion: If you are anywhere near a metro area try using Craigslist to swap your car for one that is emissions exempt.. I do a fair bit of bartering and wheeling/dealing on Craigslist and it's a good way to help keep expenses down.

One final point regarding your Contour.. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, with a code reader you can find out what the problem is and reset the check engine light.

[catnhatnh]

17. Good Points....

I am looking into cheaping out on the phone/cable/internet thing.Mortgage-wise I am OK though I just got a notice for certified mail from the city-that means in about 60 days they will file a lien for taxes which will drive my mortgager rabid.I'm playing on craigslist now for cash and will check on the car thing.And thanks for the suggestions.Oh....in New Hamshire auto insurance is not mandatory,though I have it....

[Fumesucker]

19. Here's a few links to get TV over your broadband...

http://www.ikeepbookmarks.com/browse.asp?folder=2206080&clientWidth=0

My wife is the TV watcher and she gets all the programs she likes over the broadband..

[laylah]

26. Sorry about your

mortgage. Countrywide is my mortgage holder, also. Trust me, if I could, I would refi with another company, in a heartbeat! The good news is, they are being investigated here in Illinois, as well as in many other states. Hopefully, your situation will take a turn for the better.

[madokie]

29. If you know of anyone who is hand enough to pull the sensors out and replace them

buy a can of berryman B12 carburetor and choke cleaner and take the sensors out and give them a good cleaning. Take a brush and like I said give them a good scrubbing then replace them. I had the top ford mechanic locally give me that info, said you could wash them in unleaded gas too and get the same results but he said that he feels more comfortable with using the B12 spray. Any carb cleaner will work OK. Seems to be working just fine on the two vehicles I've done this to, both having over a hundred thousands miles on them too. Its been over a year since I done this and still no check engine light
You should get change back from a five on the cleaners cost also.;-)
Wish you were close by I'd do it for you as its, for the most part not that difficult of a job.

Disability here too but from clogged arteries and it only took about two months before I was told I'd been approved and another month to get the first deposit.

Good luck.

[Orrex]

14. No shit?

Midas charged me about $480 to replace them both, plus plugs. I know that the plugs were pricey, but holy shit!

It is 99% impossible not to get 99% fucked re: car repairs unless you know the mechanic and the mechanic is you.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Fumesucker]

20. Generally, the newer the car

And the more cylinders it has, the more the oxygen sensors are going to cost..

Older four cylinder cars usually have one or at most two..

My brother has a Toyota Tundra with the 4.7 V8 and it takes four at about $90 per sensor, his needs all four right now.

I checked on O2 sensors for an 88 Cadillac a few weeks ago and it was $16 and only used one..

Getting just about anything fixed these days is an expensive hassle.. I have a smallish sport bike, an 89 Yamaha FZR400, the starter for it costs $300 plus a core charge, more than I paid for the bike in the first place.. I took the damn starter apart and fixed it instead of buying another one.

[truedelphi]

35. It is very true about the age thing - the older you are the more dire

I have pretty much quit looking for work, as I am being told to my face on job interviews that "the insurance we pay will go up if we hire anyone in their fifties!"

But I do think that despite this - I might have found a job! This has been a long time coming.

I almost don't care if it pays anything or not - just to know I have somewhere to go and something to do fills me with joy! (But I think it actually it pays fairly well!)

[annabanana]

3. I sincerely hope that you can find

an avenue of escape for yourself re #10. Sometimes good surprises come around the corner, and my wishes are with you.

[catnhatnh]

6. Thank you....

...and realize it is truly not that important. I'll neither die or starve....I'm just telling the truth because even here a bunch of people are near the edge....

[spin]

8. I sincerely wish you the best of luck...

All I can say is that if we all work to elect the right politicians who have the interests of the people in mind (rather than the corporations), we might be able to help many people in need.

[alfredo]

11. If you are a Veteran, get your mangy butt down to the VA.

It has saved me thousands.

[catnhatnh]

13. I am a Vet....

But have bad paper-the Vietnam thing....but healthcare-wise I am OK...$8 per month for generic BP meds...

[alfredo]

16. Contact your representative or a veterans group. I seem to remember

there were those trying to help soldiers who had bad paper discharges. You served, you should receive benefits. No ifs and or buts.

[catnhatnh]

18. In a perverse way....

....I am happy with the paper I got....which says "undesireable".This means I pissed them off a ton, but not enough to make a court-martial stick. Really there ain't anything they've got worth enough to make me make nice to them.....

[alfredo]

22. I came close to the edge a few times, but had a doctor that kept me

out of trouble. I caught him doing something his wife might not approve of and I kept my mouth shut. From there on out, he covered for me. I should have been in the brig, but the good Dr had my back. How many people can sucker punch a superior and not lose a stripe?

[knitter4democracy]

21. You're right--many are on the edge.

People at church act more and more worried all the time. Michigan's dying, and it really shows in our city (Battle Creek) where so many jobs have been lost. One house in foreclosure, two for sale (one empty), and one taken off the market to rent instead in just our little cul-de-sac. Horrible. I'm expanding the garden and probably cancelling the CSA this summer (too much waste last summer in things the kids refused to eat (peppers, mostly, and radishes). I've cut the food budget, and we're still tight. I keep trying to find new areas to cut. I'm thinking of cutting cable, but we'd have to keep the cable modem for Hubby's job. Ugh.

I wish we had more communes or figured out how to make our neighborhoods more like villages where people help each other out. Times were rough when I was a kid, but people helped each other get through, mostly by bargaining and bartering with each other, though the worst-off families were just given stuff that they needed.

[catnhatnh]

23. I truly believe new ways are coming...

whether communal sharing or revolution. This much I do know-there is way too much knowledge out there for people to allow their families to starve or freeze.

[knitter4democracy]

24. I think you're right.

I sure hope you don't lose your home. That's really troubling--do you have a back-up plan, just in case? Ours is my mom's house that she hasn't been able to rent or sell, not that we're all that worried, but still, it's a comfort knowing we'd be okay. Hubby would have to get a new job, but luckily, internists are needed everywhere. He's had several offers for that area but turned them down.

Oh, and being on disability sucks. My MIL was denied three times before finally getting on it, and I have no idea how anyone could deny her application. They had to hire a lawyer and everything. It was awful. All that for not enough money. Disgusting.

You know, I'm going to have my daughter do cookie sales door-to-door this week. I think I'll go up to the door with her to check on a couple of my neighbors that I worry about. Maybe if we all get to know each other, we can help each other better.

[catnhatnh]

25. You sound both wise and wonderful....

...in terms of checking on your neighbors...one of the most disgusting and little known facts about disability claims is that they are routinely denied in spite of merit....with three blown discs I was denied and forced to hire a lawyer...2 years down the road they paid with interest (which they determined) and I was supposed to be grateful and not notice that their bullshit meant that 25% of every dime they owed me went to my lawyer in contingency fees....
Fortunately, if the house goes I have income enough for a room even if I ignore offers from my family....like I said, I won't starve or freeze...I'm just pissed and worried for others.

[knitter4democracy]

31. I just found out today at church that one of my friends will soon be homeless.

Her mother died last Monday, and I asked her today about the house. See, she has serious health problems and had lived with her parents for their last three years of life to care for them. They've denied her disability twice now, diminished her food stamps to almost nothing because she's not on disability, and they denied her Medicaid because she was living with her dying parents. It's evil! I'm really worried about her--she admitted that she's sick and needs to see a doctor but can't afford the visit or the meds with no money coming in. I'm going to talk with Hubby tonight, since he might do a house call and help her out (he's done it in the past for friends and patients who've really needed it). I also offered our home as an emergency backup (I don't know if she'd like being around the kids and craziness, but at least she'd be taken care of and wouldn't have to worry about food).

I'm going to take her food this week. I'm so worried about her. She's grieving, in pain, ill, and now trying not to worry about becoming homeless. No one should be in that position. Not ever.

As for wise and wonderful, no, I just am a worrier. ;)

[liberalla]

28. I believe new ways are coming too

Something's got to give, but things will continue downward for a while yet.

My sincere best wishes to you in all this.

[dgibby]

30. New group???

not sure how to start a new DU group, but what about something about "sustainable living", sharing ideas about how to cut costs, go green, etc? Is that possible? Would anyone be interested? Just a thought, as I think everyone is going to feel the crunch sooner or later, what with the economy tanking, food and gas prices off the charts, etc.

[knitter4democracy]

32. We have one--the frugal living group.

I've gotten good ideas from them. :)

[dgibby]

34. thanks!

thanks for the info-I will definitely check it out.

[laylah]

27. I am so sorry for your situation

catnhatnh :hug: And yes, many of us are in the same, or at least a similar, boat. We can only hope and pray, come November, we will wind up with a President that cares about, WE, the people, and not the corporations and their lobbyists.

[NMDemDist2]

33. so many are on the edge or already tipping over

:hug:

it's a horrible place to be for folks who worked hard all their lives and tried to do the right things.

:banghead:

edit to add:

I didn't feel I was really in the group until I just realized, we're paying the bills but between an unexpected car repair and taxes this year, I had to get the gas money from my stepmom to come over and help her after her minor foot surgery.

I had the gas money, but would have left hubby nothing to eat on all week, or I could make sure he and the dogs were fed, but no extra cash to make a 650 mile emergency trip,

Thank heaven we're both in good health and I'm starting a job in mid May that will add $5000 to our income this year and take the pressure off, but it's sad we have NO cushion in spite of being able bodied and employed with no credit card debt, no mortagage and only one car payment.

:scared: