Something else to laugh about as more senior services suffer.

[madfloridian]

It all seems to be a joke to many. The fact that services greatly needed to keep seniors in their homes are being cut back drastically seems to be a laughing matter.

I already posted about Meals on Wheels getting drastic cuts, and 4 on the thread blamed the seniors

Florida is being hit hard.

Here's more, so get your snickering ready.

Sequestration cuts having impact on public aid agencies

Three weeks after the start of the automatic $85 billion reduction in federal spending known as sequestration, local agencies providing housing, food and support services to the region’s elderly and poor are still waiting to learn how deeply their programs will be impacted and whether their contingency plans will spare the elimination of current service recipients.

Designed to be so painful they will force lawmakers to adopt a plan to reduce the escalating federal deficit, the cut includes an across-the-board 5 percent reduction in funding for domestic programs and a 7.8 percent cut to military spending.

While the continuing federal budget resolution adopted last week has restored funding to a limited number of programs, local programs hit by cuts include Meals on Wheels and other in-home services that allow seniors to delay the costs of nursing home placement, the Head Start preschool program that allows low-income parents to work and attend school, public housing and the regional food bank’s federal food commodities program.

Kathy Whitaker, director of the Area Agency on Aging that administers referrals for the Meals on Wheels and Personal Support Services programs provided by the First Tennessee Human Resource Agency for elderly residents in Northeast Tennessee, said her office has been advised to prepare for a 5 percent to 8 percent cut in funding for fiscal 2013. Through June 30, she said a 5 percent cut will equate to the elimination of 1,892 meals or the equivalent of 25 individual consumers.

Things that will allow seniors and disabled to continue to live in their own homes are being cut.

What has happened to empathy for our fellow Americans? It appears to have become a topic for ridicule.

[JDPriestly]

1. Meanwhile, what happened to the list of Americans with deposits

in tax havens?

I really want to see the names.

[madfloridian]

2. They are just fine and dandy. No consequences for them.

Just for those who get older and need more care. There is now an Ayn Randian atmosphere where it never used to be.

[Newest Reality]

44. +!

They may want us to "move along folks, nothing to see here!" on that one.

That money seems to represent a potentially huge amount of lost revenue.

Doubt-standards abound, though. With liberty and justice for SOME.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. Stop your self-indulgent bullshit

Nobody here is laughing about services being cut for anybody.

[madfloridian]

4. Why don't you say what you really think?

No, I don't intend to stop speaking out about harm done.

Self-indulgent bullshit? That really says a lot about your view of others here.

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. You can either argue the merits or not...but it doesn't appear so

Instead, you invent nonsenses about people who may (or even may not) disagree with you laughing and joking about suffering, which is pure falsehood. These are bully tactics meant to silence others, and you damn well know it, and they are disgusting. Do you have an actual argument to make, or are you just going to start threads attacking other members of this board with your false and bullying accusations?

[madfloridian]

7. Good, keep on venting.

I will keep posting reality, and you keep calling me names. That a great way to have dialogue.

[Union Scribe]

14. You're being the bully here.

Shouting people down with invective and aggression and, with a baffling level of tone-deafness, calling other people bullies.

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Bullshit: I'm calling put a disgusting tactic on the part of the OP

Who suggests that anybody who disagrees with her is laughing at cuts to social programs. That is the bully tactic on display here, and you damn well know it. That anyone who mentions how outrageous this tactic is subsequently gets piled on by a mob (as is going to predictably happen here) further shows everybody just who the bullies are here.

[Union Scribe]

18. You're in full rage mode

and cannot see how you are behaving. Going ape shit on the OP definitely shows "who the bullies are here" though, you're right about that.

[alcibiades_mystery]

19. More nonsense

The pile on by the mob is clear enough to anyone not completely blinded by the crowd allegiance.

[neverforget]

22. you really need to look in the mirror

[alcibiades_mystery]

23. Another one

The pack has arrived, apparently. Mirrors for everybody, I say!

[neverforget]

24. The irony of your post is striking.

[alcibiades_mystery]

27. And yours

Nobody seems able to defend the OPs ridiculous accusations, in any case.

[neverforget]

28. And here you are calling "bullshit" and "nonsense" calling people bullies

You have become what you are supposedly fighting.

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. The OP claims that people are laughing at suffering

People who disagree with her are joking and laughing at suffering har har har. That's the charge. I say without question that that is a bullying tactic. It is an attempt to silence opposition. If anyone has become what we are ALL fighting, it is the OP, and anyone else who would engage in such tactics. We can disagree without such BULLSHIT and NONSENSE. Yes, I'm happy to give those labels to fascist behavior.

[Union Scribe]

32. The OP is a fascist?

You should log off for the night. This isn't worth blowing a head gasket over.

[bobduca]

26. They are all around you! replying to your posts like SAVAGES!111

The Bully Mob!11111

[Union Scribe]

29. Paranoia is not becoming,

The mob is in your head. What you are seeing is people opposed to an idiotic move by the administration. You can keep pretending it's some conspiracy if you want, but the more you do so the less grounded you appear.

[alcibiades_mystery]

33. I'm fine with people opposed to the administration

Indeed, nothing I've posted here or anywhere could possibly suggest that I'm not. I support vigorous debate and dissent to the administration.

What I'm not fine with is the OP's bullying tactic of suggesting that anyone who doesn't agree with her is laughing at or mocking the poor. That's not a conspiracy. It's a judgment of a concrete tactic being deployed by the OP.

[Union Scribe]

34. You're mischaracterising the OP

It doesn't say "anyone who doesn't agree"--it is specifically targeted at those who ARE snickering and amusing themselves with this whole affair. There ARE people here doing that. And there are people here doing far worse: such as saying that the elderly voted mostly for Romney anyway, so they should be given over to the GOP's plans for them and become homeless. That happened. That was posted. So don't act like everyone here has golden doves' nests for hearts. Those are the jerks the OP is talking about.

[quinnox]

35. thankfully, it appears the thread disruptor has been kicked out of the thread

for personal attacks.

[Union Scribe]

39. Oh no

the mob has control of the juries

[quinnox]

41. lol, it is all part of the conspiracy!

[caseymoz]

43. What is there to disagree about, here?

I don't see you challenging her facts. Do you agree or disagree that services are being cut?

If you don't disagree on that, what else is there? That people on previous threads blamed the seniors? Do you think your views were unfairly characterized? You certainly haven't made those views clearer this time around (unless it was the hidden post). It looks up to this message like you've just come around to harass her over something in a previous thread that many here are probably not familiar with (I'm not) and your posts don't inform us any better. No, they look like just personal attacks.

If you feel you were unfairly judged in the previous thread, you just look worse now.

[Summer Hathaway]

30. Well said.

VERY well said!

[Hissyspit]

5. .

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/10022632517

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Despite the fevered imaginations of a very aggressive pack of bullies

Nothing in that thread is laughing at cuts. Rather, the butt of that joke seems to be the bulling mob that has run roughshod through this forum for the last two days, attacking anybody who dares not fall immediately in lockstep with their position. And they are a deserving target for ridicule indeed. But the new strategy of that bullying mob - to suggest that people laughing at THEM are actually laughing at the poor - well, that is a new low in forum chilling-effect nonsense, but I'll gladly call out such self-serving shite when I see it, thanks.

[madfloridian]

10. Calling us a pack of bullies....not very wise.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Why? Are the bullies now going to stuff me in a locker?

I don't fear your mob attacks, that's for sure.

[bobduca]

13. Maybe the uptick in the "Mob" is due to Obama proposing CPI cuts to SS?

Where there's pitchforks there's torches?

[Hissyspit]

20. The term "poutrage" was actually specifically banned by Skinner at DU2

as a form of group attack.

I don't know. It looks to me like an attack on anyone concerned with chained CPI being in a Dem budget. Maybe we're just reading it differently.

[alcibiades_mystery]

21. Lots of stuff banned on DU2 goes on here now

Group attacks, pile-ons, personal attacks, and on and on.

[Hissyspit]

25. Yes, and...?

[KittyWampus]

12. No one here is laughing that I see, but your sanctimonious attempt at superiority is duly noted

[1983law]

40. More than sanctimony..

The OP was presumptuous, inconsiderate, condescending, and in my view contemptible. Who introduces a thread about something as serious as seniors doing without in such a way? Now, go ahead an empanel a jury...

[Luminous Animal]

15. It is hearbreaking that supporters of Social Security are beiing mocked.

[quinnox]

17. K&R - People who are comfortable don't have a clue

about what these programs mean to those not in their position. Very disgusting to see some so called Democrats make fun of the poor and the vulnerable who depend on these programs.

[dem in texas]

36. I know from this is happening now.

I have a 53 year old physically disabled nephew who is also autistic. He receives a Social Security Disability payment as his sole source of income. His parents are both deceased. He can't work because of his health problems. He lives alone and is able to care for himself. He is unable to drive and I go over to see him once a week and take him to the store and people from his church help with getting him to the doctor.

He just got a notice that Medicaid would no longer pay for his Medicare insurance payment, so his check will be reduced by $105 per month. IN 2011, he was one of the lucky people whose name was drawn here in Dallas to get rental assistance. So he gets help with his rent. He just got a letter from the Dallas Housing saying they are cutting their share of his rent by $70 a month starting in May. I expect that the apartment management will find a way to get the 70 dollars from him.

He has no extra money, before these cuts take place. His budget is bare bones, rent, phone, internet service, utilities, groceries and medicine. His dryer went out last month and we (aunts and uncle) bought him a new one. He had a 15 year old computer that bit the dust and we were able to give him one that is outdated but works for him. He does not have cable, he uses a converter box on his old TV to make it HD. He does not own a cell phone. He owes his doctor $185 for co-pays. I called and arranged to pay this off by the month.

The cuts are taking place and they are hurting the poorest people. Our Texas governor struts around and brags about refusing to take US funds for Medicaid and it ends up hurting people like my nephew.

Just thought I'd let you know that this sequester stuff is for real.

[DeSwiss]

38. ....

[forestpath]

37. There is nothing lower than deliberately hurting the vulnerable or defending those who do.

[abelenkpe]

42. +1000

[madfloridian]

45. Amen to that.

[Blecht]

46. As I write this, DU shows there are 45 replies to this thread

I wonder why I only see 10?

Thank you, DU, for providing us with the Ignore button!

And thank you, madfloridian, for providing me with a reason to keep coming back to DU -- your posts are always must-read for me.

[LiberalLoner]

48. +1

[The Link]

47. Kick. Don't let the bully silence you.

Love your posts.