I'm one of the poverty stricken...

[malokvale77]

Bernie Sanders supporters that other candidate cheerleaders don't recognize.

I've raised 2 fabulous children and helped raise 3 wonderful grand-children.

I worked my ass off to pay off a 30 yr mortgage. That and a 1989 Toyota are all I own.

I work a 30 hr week in home healthcare at minimum wage. I have one month to go for SS retirement.

I take care of a very ill SO and a disabled brother.

Every Bernie Sanders supporter I know has a life similar to mine.

I'm sick of the wealthy, elite, Volvo driving meme.

We can do this. Go Bernie.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. 1 month?

congrats, although I know a lot of folks can't afford to retire.

[malokvale77]

3. I cannot afford it either.

I will continue to work for awhile.

[No Vested Interest]

21. I don't know if you're referring to age 62 retirement or 66/67ish,

but you would be better off waiting as long as you can to collect SS, as your amount t collect for the rest of your life will increase each month that you wait up to age 70.

My opinion is that you are one of America's unsung heroes.
Congratulations on a productive and meaningful life.
May you enjoy a well-earned retirement, when it comes.

[AmericanHare]

22. i've always

thought about it the other way.

you don't know how long you will live, so take what you can while you can.

[No Vested Interest]

24. Taking Social Security at 62 reduces your payment 20%/month for the rest

of your life.
Ex: If you would get $1000/mo at full SS age, you would get $800/mo from age 62 until death.
If you would get $2000/mo at full SS, you would get $1600/mo from age 62 until death.

Average life expectancy is now in late 70s for men and early 80s for women, which means at least half of those people live well beyond the average.

Believe me, speaking as a senior well past retirement age, you don't want to be 75, 80, or 85 with no physical (not to mention mental) ability to earn income and scrounging and worrying about basic expenses.

[AmericanHare]

26. while true

you could get hit with a car on your 65th birthday, not collected any of that money for the prior 3 years.

I'm currently 33. my house will be paid off by the time I turn 55. I am eligible for retirement at 60, but not full benefits till 65.

with no mortgage, I plan on taking early retirement at 60, and early ss at 62.

[No Vested Interest]

30. I hope all goes well for you.

I recall telling my Dad, when I was about 21, that I didn't want to live beyond 59. I couldn't imagine myself as an older person, and aging certainly was not an attractive choice.

Life has a funny way of giving us different perspectives through the years.

May life give you all that you dream of.

[panader0]

34. I took mine at 62.

I get $804 a month. In the three years between 62 and 65, that's $28,944.
If I had waited until 65, I would have received about $1,000 a month. At $200 extra a month, it would have taken 144
months to recoup those funds--12 years. I would be 77 by the time I saw any extra monies.
I might not live that long. Besides, work is scarce in the construction trades for an old fart like me.

[LibDemAlways]

38. I took mine at 62 also. I turned 62 last November and did not

see my first check until January. There is a one month delay before benefits kick in. Those checks have been a godsend, though. I work as a substitute teacher, a low paying part time job. Before the SS checks, I struggled to pay my bills. Now I have a little cushion. I simply could not wait any longer. I, like millions of others, needed the money now.

[bahrbearian]

33. Besides that, working is slowing killing us, at 62 I took my SS

my blood pressure dropped, and I am enjoying a new part of my life.

[malokvale77]

35. Early retirement.

I don't really have a choice. I'm barely hanging on. One unexpected bill would be a disaster.

I am going to file under my EX though. Half of his is more than I would receive under my own.

Either way it is more than my current wages. I really can't work much longer though. My SO's needs are increasing and I can't spend as much time away.

Thank you for your kind words. Just seeing the replies on here has lifted my spirit.

[hedda_foil]

61. Is your ex still alive?

I'm asking because if he's deceased, you can file for widows benefits, which are significantly higher. That's what I wound up doing when I had to start SS early for health reasons.

[malokvale77]

62. No still alive and kickin (barely), LOL.

He remarried to a large trust fund (well known food and beverage service). Hah.

[panader0]

36. You can earn up to $14,000 a year and it won't affect your SS.

[malokvale77]

59. Yes I know.

I currently make $11,000 (give or take a few).

The thing is I'm getting too old and decrepit to continue what I do.

I'm all of 100 lbs having to support (physically) a much larger invalid. Plus what I deal with at home.

I'm broken and broke. LOL.

[SoapBox]

2. Oh my gosh...

You are so correct...there must be millions in the same situation as yourself.

[malokvale77]

4. Yes...

and we cannot afford any more 3rd Wayers or Republicans.

We are the Bernie minions that some would ridicule.

[840high]

15. There are. I know.

[merrily]

5. I know property taxes in Texas are high because of no sales tax. Are you aware of

http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/proptax/exemptions/residence_faq.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/personal-finance/headlines/20120817-texas-law-puts-protective-umbrella-over-debtors.ece

[malokvale77]

6. We have sales tax (up to 8.25% depending on the local rate).

We do not have State Income Tax. The poor pay the most taxes percentage wise.

I am homesteaded and I know I am judgement proof.

I am one of the lucky ones who has managed to pay off a mortgage. I can not however afford homeowners insurance. Everyday is a risk.

[zalinda]

14. Please do yourself a favor

get homeowners insurance. Start calling to price them out. I pay $116.25 for both homeowners insurance and car insurance on a 2002 mini-van. If something happens to your house, you may find yourself in a world of hurt.

Even though I pay a mortgage, I know that if I had to rent living quarters, I'd be paying much more in rent, to even come close to what I have now.

Go to a food bank, if you have to, to start trimming your budget to get insurance. There are food pantries all over, since I don't know what part of Texas you live, I can't help you find one. But, google is your friend. There are also food banks that give out fresh food, that is donated by grocery stores. Look for help. They do not ask for income qualifiers here in New York, just your name and address. You may be able to save enough money to pay for your insurance.

Z

[malokvale77]

39. Homeowners insurance in Texas is really high.

The food banks here (Dallas) are so overwhelmed that they are begging the Fed for help.

There are too many far more needy than me.

I do have a nice little garden that provides good fresh organic produce. I do most of my cooking from scratch (no preprocessed or junk food).

Internet access is my only luxury and that would not pay for insurance.

We just keep plugging away.

Cheers.

[merrily]

17. I assume you also looked into a real estate tax break for being a certain age?

When I visited San Antonio, there was even a tax break for having indigenous plantings with low water needs, instead of a lawn. I don't know if that is only San Antonio or statewide.

Anyway, it sounds as though you are already all over the issue, which is good.

[malokvale77]

40. Dallas does have a little tax break for seniors.

They freeze one of the taxes (maybe school) at a certain age. I think it is 64 but will have to look into it again.

Thanks merrily.

[wendylaroux]

7. I'm there with ya malokvale77

and for others like us,---or others who give a shit---

voting for anyone other than Bernie seems insane to me.

[malokvale77]

41. Indeed

I think Bernie is helping to awake the forgotten masses.

Go Bernie.

[Hydra]

8. Thank you for spelling it out

The Third Way cheerleaders act like this is some sort of game, and that they are somehow "normal" despite their obvious non work-to-the-bone lifestyles. You could almost call it projection...if it wasn't a case of them being purely privileged jerks.

[MisterP]

9. neolibs and 3wayers are about financialization, so their work is just off gambling

on others' products and services: it's basically "Reagan/Thatcher restructured the economy and I benefited off it: use your own bootstraps"

[malokvale77]

42. I know I am one of millions...

with a work-to-the-bone lifestyle. I am surrounded by it.

I don't take kindly to those who prefer not to acknowledge our existence. Their lives would be very lacking without the (low cost yet highly skilled) services we provide.

In solidarity Hydra.

[ancianita]

10. You are the heart of the party and DU. I'm glad to be in your company.

[malokvale77]

43. Oh dear, I have something in my eye.

I love the company I am in. We are the best of humankind.

Thank you ancianita.

[SheilaT]

11. For what it's worth,

I am no where close to your level of poverty. I'm far from the 1%, but I'm reasonably comfortable, and I'm a Bernie supporter. I'm fortunate in that I can donate money to him, and hope to work for his campaign some time in the future.

[malokvale77]

44. Thank you SheilaT

I was reasonably comfortable once. Like you, I still cared.

You're worth a million in my book.

[madfloridian]

12. Loads of hugs to you.

[malokvale77]

45. Especially sweet coming from you dear lady.

Right backatcha

[Ed Suspicious]

13. I'm in a similar situation in that I also own an old car.

I just acquired a pile of student load debt because, why the fuck not? It was a punt. I'll start paying on it after next year at age 43. That likely just ended any opportunity to own a home, but maybe, you know, if my wife and I pull ourselves up by our bootstraps we just might die with something other than debt to pass on to our children.

At this point, like you, I feel like Bernie is the only chance we have at not dying in the poorhouse. Hey, but I just lost my temp job today. They did me a real kindness (actually they really did) in that they are letting me hang on through next week and they are willing to serve as a reference, but they had to fix the "headcount." That was the actual word they used as the reason. That's what 4 1/2 years of working at the same location got me. A headcount adjustment. It wasn't a performance thing, simply a headcount thing. I actually look at it as a good thing because I don't fucking know why, but I know it has to be worth something to shake shit up and have a little reset. At least the wife still has a good job. $16.36/hr with benefits. She's been punching this particular timeclock for the last 10 years to acquire such a fortune.

Yup. This is not a game out there for us. Politics is life. Bernie is fighting for those of us who have no real choices left.

We're all in this together, Bernie peeps. malokvale77, I hope you are able to retire and I hope the car stays running and the roof on the house stays leak-free. I just want you to know it's pretty tough all over out here, but if we stick together and back the right horse for once, I think we might have a shot, or at least the kids just might have a shot.

[malokvale77]

46. Oh wow...

you are my daughters age. She spent the last three years having her wages garnished to pay off a student loan.

She was raising three children on Walmart (yes she was working at Walmart) wages.

The State of Texas decided to keep $23,000 of back child support for themselves. Why, you ask. Well nobody knows, but Greg Abbott said.

We, Bernie peeps, are all in this together. For me it is about the future of my kids and grand-kids.

a to you and yours Mr Ed Suspicious.

We can do this.

[aspirant]

16. malokvale77

"That and a 1989 Toyota are all I own".

You own your heart and soul and that is eternally priceless. Stand tall because we stand by your side

[malokvale77]

47. Yes, my heart and soul are mine.

They can not be bought. They will not be crushed.

I was speaking to a capitalist system.

I cannot think of better company to have at my side.

[Paka]

18. We can do this.

GO BERNIE!

[malokvale77]

48. We damned sure can do this.

Thank you Paka.

GO BERNIE! For all of us.

[Enthusiast]

19. Kicked and recommended to the Max!

Thank you, malokvale77!

Ignore their memes and ignore their bullshit.

[malokvale77]

49. Just wow

Thank you for your wonderful show of enthusiasm Enthusiast (perfect name).

I just cannot ignore how they disrespect the very people who have done the actual work that has made them so wealthy.

Go Bernie.

[Rose77]

20. kudos to you!

caregivers are gold.

I worked for 20 yrs with elderly, disabled, mentally impaired, mentally ill and fell in love with these souls. My heart broke so many times......Nursing homes and care facilities are filthy with corruption.

Know that many are working on this and we wont stop till all are held accountable.

Your prosperity is coming. You are a shining light to the ones u care for. walk proud, malokvale.

[malokvale77]

50. Something keeps getting in my eye.

"Know that many are working on this and we wont stop till all are held accountable."

Thank you Rose77. It gladdens my spirit to know that so many others care.

I do walk proud (maybe the Choctaw in me).

[iscooterliberally]

23. I'm with you. I don't think I'll ever be able to retire.

My retirement plan isn't going so well. I have to win the lottery, but I keep forgetting to buy a ticket. I totally missed the free Volvo line too. I paid into a 30 year mortgage for about 8 years before having to abandon ship and walk away from a money pit. I was totally ripped off. I own an 11 year old car, and an 8 year old Harley. My wife and I went back to renting, and she was laid off from her job last year. We're in our early 50s. The next time we buy a home, it's going to have wheels on it. My wife just started a new job as a server at an expensive restaurant, so that's some good news. I managed to send Bernie a hundred bucks off my credit card before we maxed it out. So at least Bernie did get a hundred dollars of big bank corporate money. Anyway, I was a life long indy person who just signed up as a Democrat so I can vote for Bernie in the primary. Hopefully things will start to get better for us all.

[malokvale77]

51. Hopefully, iscooterliberally...

Things will get better for all of us who struggle daily.

Bernie Sanders as President will be a good start.

Here's to better days.

[rhett o rick]

25. We need to make it crystal clear that it's immoral to support the current status quo that

sees poverty levels growing and jobs being sent overseas.

[malokvale77]

52. The status quo is immoral.

Bernie Sanders is the only candidate that has that crystal clear vision.

Thank you rhett o rick.

[rhett o rick]

60. I feel like this is the election that will make or break our democracy. nm

[Faux pas]

27. Best vibes to

you and your's malokvale77

[malokvale77]

53. I feel the vibes.

Thank you Faux pas.

[restorefreedom]

28. this is exactly how others want to portray sanders supporters

meanwhile, the hillary folks keep bragging about how much money they raised and going to their thousands of dollars per plate fundraisers. It is sickening.

all the best to you.

[malokvale77]

54. I see it as projection.

Hillary recently came to Texas for a fundraiser and rally. She canceled the rally and then came back a few days later for another fundraiser.

There are a lot of rich folks in Texas. There are many many more living in poverty.

The best to you in return.

[Scruffy1]

29. K&R for the salt of the earth. n/t

[malokvale77]

55. Thank you Scruffy1. nt

[Dont call me Shirley]

31. WooHoo! To those of us who live on the financial edge! Go Bernie!

[malokvale77]

56. WooHoo!

We are many and we are strong.

Go Bernie Go.

[carolinayellowdog]

32. life at the median is scarily close to the poverty stricken

Thanks for sharing your experience. While I count my blessings as a "middle income retiree" with a pension, it's alarming how close that is to being destitute. Started out in the 1970s earning about 10k, retired in the 2000s earning about 50k, now get about 60% of the latter as a pension-- and every one of these stats is/was the national median. Thank god I live in a place with rockbottom cost of living because in a major city 30k income equals destitution.

Even in the "poorest locality" in the state where I can live in a decent house, this suggests that "barely scraping by" and "two paychecks in savings" is now the national median-- worse off than we were 40 years ago. I hope Sanders can raise awareness of the ever-declining prospects of retirees and new workers, despite the prosperity of many "mainstream" 30-40 somethings.

[malokvale77]

57. I was once the median.

Then the RWers stole our government.

It won't be long before we have just a few very wealthy and the many surfs who serve them.

[Cobalt Violet]

37. Reaping the rewards of Reagan here too.

Bernie's growing popularity is so good to watch.

[malokvale77]

58. Yup

I despise the Reagan Democrats. They now run the Democratic Party.

Here's to you and Bernie and his growing popularity.

Stand tall Cobalt Violet. We can do this.

[artislife]

63. I so hear you.

I will start a part time job in two weeks, still pet sit and I will continue with my concierge business. My mechanic told me to stop pouring money into my Kia. I have to get a new car.

I am fortunate now, but the last 4 years have been an Odyssey. My friend said I was like a nomad, I said no I was like a refugee.

Nomads like to move from place to place, refugees have to move and move again.

[malokvale77]

64. I imagine we have a lot in common...

except for the moving again and again.

My EX an I moved into this house when I was 17. He is no longer here but I have refused to budge.

Hang in there. Somehow we manage to stay strong no matter the circumstances.

[artislife]

65. We cast our ballots for Bernie

I will do it for you, and you will do it for me.

We all will be doing it for all of us!

[malokvale77]

66. To all of us. nt