Most Against Another $250 Payment to Seniors

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Yes, I agree there are many seniors who are living comfortably (some lavishly) on SS along with pensions or other retirement income but there are many like me who do not have that sort of income-SS is all we get. So I will say I agree with those who are calling for an income cap to decide who gets the payments so those of us who would NOT be putting the money in savings (don't have any) can have it. This is money that would immediately go back into the economy.

Carole of OK 3:28PM October 29, 2009

My wife and I receive Social Security (mine only since she is not yet of age) and a modest retirement annuity from 30 years of work for the same employer. We had to make changes in our budget in order to live. We sold our home although we took a heavy loss. We are learning to live and enjoy living on what we have coming in. We do not need a $250 payment. Of course, who wouldn't accept free money? But is it really free? Someone has to pay for it. Most of the retirees I know will just put it into savings. If you want to help the economy by putting money into spending, give the money to young families. Let them buy shoes, school supplies, whatever, spend it. DO NOT give more to corporate giants to buy more banks. Good grief.

S.E. Foster of TX 3:15PM October 29, 2009

Being a person on social security, I would like to add my opinion. I draw only $1145/mo. I have to wonder how many of you could survive on this amount monthly-and yes, I have a mortgage on my small home along with all utility bills, insurance, medicines and such. But I must add that I probably do better money-wise than many who have more income monthly because I grew up in a generation that understands belt-tightening and doing without, unlike many today who would have a heart attack without their nice cars, $100/mo cable TV, cell phones, high dollar games and such. But it's OK-go ahead and help all those folks who got in trouble by living beyond their means-beans and taters are still cheap so I'll be fine!

Carole of OK 3:06PM October 29, 2009

I believe that the money that was given to the greedy investment firms should have been given to the people who need it. If this had been done,then the people would have spent the money and in turn would have helped to put money back into circulation.These greedy people do not need the obnoxious bonuses that they have received. Why give them the money when so many people are starving???

Joe Skelton of IA 2:10PM October 29, 2009

I do understand that seniors want the money and many need it. I believe we should help those who are truly hurting. But many families are also hurting struggling to pay mortgage payments (even for a modest home such as ours), child care costs, college expenses and more. The majority of seniors no longer have a mortgage payment so that often offsets the raise in medical expenses.
I am 52 and suffered a recent stroke. Even though we have insurance, our co-pay for ONE single test was $1,400. I had to cancel the remaining tests because I've been laid off and my husband's pay was cut. We had to choose between paying our mortgage our getting medical tests. There are many persons under the age of 65 who are struggling, some even to the point of losing their homes.
According to the census bureau, the poverty rate of seniors has dropped from 24% in 1966 to 9% in 2008. For families, it rose to 13% and for children to 19%. Saying that everyone over 65 needs this fund is like saying that every employed person under 30 deserves a check because a lot of people under 30 are laid off.
The cost of this is $13 billion even BEFORE calculating the massive interest that will accumulate.
We cannot continue to indiscriminately hand out money based on powerful lobbies or voting blocs. Help those who desperately need it but please stop crippling our children with massive debt simply because any lobbyist group demands it.

Lisa of OH 5:01PM October 20, 2009

The "prevailing views" on the internet tends toward pornography....so what is your point?

Good Grief of KY 2:53PM October 20, 2009

I am a SENIOR and need anything that I can get. After they take 96.40 out of my social security for my medicare, I only gey 75$ a month. And they can't send it on the same day each month. It comes a different day every month.

pat fingleman of TX 2:39PM October 20, 2009