One more thing I've become disturbed by in efforts to help various friends and family members

[pnwmom]

Last edited Wed Dec 2, 2015, 02:28 AM - Edit history (1)

is how incredibly complicated paperwork has become. And then that paperwork becomes the excuse for mistreating people. They break contracts they never understood and never had a choice to not sign -- and then they get punished for it.

It's like you need a college degree for practically everything these days. Not literally -- but you need college level reading skills to figure out a rental agreement or a loan agreement. And you need solid math skills to understand the interest on your credit cards.

So most people probably just sign on the bottom line -- because they don't have any other choice. And they don't know what they're getting into.'

All of this has a huge impact on politics. People who don't really understand the tax system, for example, aren't going to be able to weigh the various proposals of the candidates. They might incorrectly think their own taxes will rise because they don't understand how a progressive tax system works. So they choose candidates based on gut feelings or a political party because their parents belonged to it.

More and more, American life seems to be snowballing out of control, and people are afraid. Of course they're attracted to people who appeal to that fear. Take-charge types like Adolph Trump.

And that scares me.

[w0nderer]

1. reading and understanding

is a huge issue today


today most contracts need a lawyer present to explain it


sad as it is


a civil contract should be 'civilly' understandable

i rent this room to you, don't F it up, power and water included, not garbarge or heat, $500 <<

not party of first party as defined as second party of first party of second party of corporate x party that is further a party of party thus party defines!


the FRACK that means?

[NV Whino]

2. I frequently act as an advocate for my friends

I attend medical and sometimes attorney meetings with them, also meetings with contractors and repairmen, and ask the questions they don't know to ask. By the time the meeting is over they more fully understand the situation, and understand what their options are. I recently saved close to $28,000 for a friend because I know how a septic system works; know what can be repaired rather than replaced; know that the first company she called was trying to up sell her more than she needed at this particular time in her life.

I was thrown into our very broken health care system a few years ago by a medical disaster. Fortunately my mind continued to work when my body wasn't functioning so well. It made me very aware how vulnerable our elderly are with all the legal gobbledygook that is thrown at them when they can least handle it. I make a concerted effort to help people wade through legalese and understand the consequences of their options.

Most people don't realize that, at least in the medical end, there are omnibudsmen available to advocate for them.

[pnwmom]

3. That's great, NV Whino. That is one thing that many of us can do:

reach out and help in the small ways that we can -- that sometimes can make a huge difference in someone else's life.

[Sherman A1]

4. +1

very good advice regarding the ombudsman, as you mentioned so few realize that their services even exist.