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Sandi Bachom

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Dear Mitt Romney: 'I Am the 47 Percent'

Posted: 09/18/2012 7:59 pm

I'm on Social Security, Medicare and apparently, I am the 47 percent... with one little wrinkle (pun intended)... I used to be rich!

Gotta tell you Mitt, my cankles are rankled!

Let's do the "arithmetic"... I worked my whole life, was married, had a huge six-figure career, house in the country, million-dollar apartment in the city, kid in private school, the very first of every electronic device ever invented... and a closet full of Prada.

So, we're really not that different, you and I.

After 9/11, I did what George Bush told me to do... I went shopping. And then, I got a divorce, lost my job and was run over by an SUV, not able to walk for a year. And when the dust cleared, I was in my late 60's, unable to find work for the FIRST time in my life, and oh yeah, I was just evicted. So please put me on your list for one of those 12 million jobs after you're elected.

You see Mitt, everybody in this country, except you, the Koch brothers and Sheldon Adelson are all just "one bad thing away" from the woman on the street. Get used to it, there are more and more of us, but nobody is talking about it.

At 68, I am considered 'elderly' by the statisticians, although I can't even ask for senior rate at Dunkin' Donuts because I'm too mortified. And if one of the guys asks if I want a senior rate, my entire day is ruined.

Here's the deal, when I lost my career, I opted for early Social Security benefits at 62 and not 67; for some reason, the year I was born, 1944, a "War Baby', you aren't fully vested until 67. And it was a good thing. There were times when I wouldn't have eaten were it not for my Social Security check, deposited the third Wednesday of every month, and sometimes, there's an extra, agonizing week in there so in some months it's touch and go... like today! At midnight tonight, Pacific Standard Time (3 a.m. in NYC), the money is deposited into my account. It's gone the minute it's deposited because you can't possibly live in New York City, or anywhere else for that matter on your Social Security check.

Oh, one more thing, you know that slacker, 'victim' Medicare thing I'm on? Well for your information, my full Social Security benefits would be $96 more... but they don't tell you this... they take away $96 to pay for the Medicare when you turn 65 -- Medicare I already paid for, taken out of my paycheck since 1965 the year it was enacted!

And... when you apply for food stamps? They account that you are making the full amount including the $96!

Now Mitt, I want you to hear me. Did you know that you can't get food stamps if your income is over the poverty limit? Bet you don't know what that is? Well, I didn't know either until last year. It's $999, or at least that's what it was in my case.

So when I hear the word 'entitlement' uttered with disdain, it just makes me CRAZY! It's not an entitlement, I know you've never had to find it, but there is a line on the paycheck stub up to the first $100,000 for FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) you pay half and 'the job creators' pay half, which could possibly be a reason why you guys want to get rid of it.

Now I know your FICA ran out on the first paycheck you ever made, but for the rest of us working stiffs around the water cooler, you could always tell how much people were making by when their FICA ran out!

Mitt, about those tax returns: I produced television commercials for 30 years, and I produced one for the Cayman Islands years ago -- beautiful place, they have glass bottom boats where you can watch the sea creatures and... 600 banks!

I bought my Rolex there... half price.

At that time, the Cayman Islands had the most numbered bank accounts outside of Switzerland. There is only one reason to keep your money there and it's not to pump up the Cayman economy.

When I was a girl, there were the "Three Biggest Lies", the first one started out, "Trust me, I won't..." none of which I can't repeat here, but the fourth might be a Romney Presidency.

I know who I'm voting for and it's a president who's got my back and not one who's stabbing me in it.

Here is the 'Dear Mitt Romney: "I AM THE 47 PERCENT"' on Social Security and Medicare to 50,000 in Times Square 10/15/11 video:

 
 
 

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I'm on Social Security, Medicare and apparently, I am the 47 percent... with one little wrinkle (pun intended)... I used to be rich! Gotta tell you Mitt, my cankles are rankled! Let's do the "ar...
I'm on Social Security, Medicare and apparently, I am the 47 percent... with one little wrinkle (pun intended)... I used to be rich! Gotta tell you Mitt, my cankles are rankled! Let's do the "ar...
 
 
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11:58 AM on 09/20/2012
Sandi, I'm sorry for your situation and pray that it will become better, somehow. You've packed a whole lot of food for thought in your blog. Equally enlightening and thought provoking are the many comments from people who are responding to you and can identify with you. You're all putting a face on what we progressives have been fighting for. Thank you and good luck!
09:40 AM on 09/20/2012
Go Sandi! When are YOU running for office? I'm in.
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SouthernRaised
It's the military spending stupid!
05:23 AM on 09/20/2012
Hearing a sincere story from someone who was until relatively recently financially secure to now be squeaking by on S.S./Medicare only pissses me off even more when we stop to consider the callousness and disdain people like Romney have for their fellow Americans.

Out of touch, lack of empathy...hardly begins to describe Romney's American perspective.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
06:46 PM on 10/04/2012
wow thanks. I had no idea about life in the system until it happened to me, sadly, most of us in America are only one bad thing away. Thanks for taking the time to comment
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Doxin Dash
06:23 PM on 09/19/2012
OMG Sandy you are the first person who discribes what it is like to be on SS I do not qualify for any govenment program city, state or fed. I also get paid on the 3rd Wed. which depending on what day that falls on sometimes I get paid on the 15th others 23rd so sometimes I get behind on my bills which could mean not getting refills on meds, hold off on food. Thanks again now I know that it is not just me. I am proud to be a 47% person I don't pay taxes because I am below the povertity level but I am NOT A BAD PERSON not lazy or anyother thing Romney said.
04:42 PM on 09/19/2012
Well said!
04:10 PM on 09/19/2012
This reminds me that so many of us are just one bad event away from this situation. What is frightening are the number of employers looking to lop off their older employees only to be replaced by much less paid workers a couple years out of college. I personally have seen it over and over again. And there is no place for them to go. They send out hundreds and hundreds of resumes and at most get some kind of automated rejection email. So if they are lucky they can draw social security early but its not really much in the way of luck department anyway. The Mitt Romneys seem to think that everyone can go out and get that dream job if they just give it the ole college try.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
06:49 PM on 10/04/2012
thank you, I had my dream job...for 40 years! ha. I've never been better at what I do than now, I wish I could go around the country and tell stories like mine and post here...I'll put that out in the universe.
02:35 PM on 09/19/2012
Sandy, I read this and found myself yelling yeah!!! at least 6 times. Bravo, and I hope Mitt gets to read this.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
06:49 PM on 10/04/2012
thank you for being a cheerleader. Go find someone else you know in my situation and support them too with your kind words. I'm going through this so you don't have to. LOL
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oma89
10:11 AM on 09/19/2012
Thank you for sharing your story so elegantly.
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Royce09
Freedom is not Free, cost = Blood of our Military
09:24 AM on 09/19/2012
In the video, she said we ended the war - some of us were drafted into that war and are still hurting today because of it.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
12:01 PM on 09/19/2012
Yes you are so right. We must remember the past, there are kids I interviewed recently on the streets of New York that didn't know abortion was ever illegal, or that it might be again soon!
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
01:25 PM on 10/18/2012
Hi you might be interested in my last blog about Sgt Micah Turner Sgt Micah Turner "Last year, more soldiers took their own lives than the enemy did"
http://youtu.be/U12uZmnGs9k
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Royce09
Freedom is not Free, cost = Blood of our Military
07:24 PM on 10/18/2012
Our soldiers have always paid a very high price for the follies of our politicans to generate money for their masters by using the Military Industrial Complex.  God Bless each and every solider and please lessen their pain and suffering.
09:03 AM on 09/19/2012
wow-that was so well written. I would like to write my story too since i am also the 47%. I cant make enough to pay income tax, but I sure do pay self employment tax, and ss tax which I'll never see, not to mention paying a butt load for a $5200 deductible insurance that I can't use cause the deductible is too high. Just think of all that money I donate to these fat causes, when I could be spending it in my community helping the economy. I'd buy a bike, get work done on my property that desperately needs doing, get more massages, and maybe even take a vacation....what a concept. maybe I would like to see the blue water underneath my glass bottom boat while visiting the Cayman Islands....now that's a real pipe dream for me!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
VivaZapata
08:13 AM on 09/19/2012
great anecdotal account, showing us how we're all just an accident or natural disaster away from needing a little help.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
06:50 PM on 10/04/2012
thanks and you bet!
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Rimser
07:32 AM on 09/19/2012
This should be required reading for everyone who is voting against President Obama. Note, I did NOT say voting for Romney because I can't imagine sane people doing so. But there are plenty of irrational people who will vote against their own interests.
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cyclone70
When one facepalm isn't enough
06:39 AM on 09/19/2012
I have been a democrat all my life, worked and paid taxes since I was 16 years old. paid my own way thru college, saved to buy a house (and one not beyond my means)

I have never aksed for or expected a handout from anyone. I do depend on government for good roads, safe bridges, reliable utilities, safe food and medicines, clean air and water, police and fire dept there when I would need it, a strong military to protect our own country. I gladly pay my taxes for these things, this is the price we pay for a civilized society

I do not get or benefit from all the tax breaks, offshore havens and loopholes those of Mr romney's economic status get. Its easy to be wealthy when you are already born on third base. not so much when you start from modest beginnings
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Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
10:15 AM on 09/19/2012
Boy I'm with you. I was stunned when I wound up on the other end of the system I'd paid into my whole life, Talk about safety nets. But it's MY money with accrued interest for 40 years! The other thing is, because I was well off for so many years, I had NO idea how to navigate getting benefits that wound up saving my life! I want to make it my pledge to help other seniors, who, through no fault of their own wind up in my situation.
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frank1946
Tell the Truth
06:31 AM on 09/19/2012
No Economic Growth means you Starve, always been that way, in the long run anyway !

Debt and Panic won't help, in the long run anyway !

America is in Debt and feeling Panic, anger won't help, in the long run anyway !

In the old days your Family took care of you.............now it's the US Treasury ?

$ 122 Trillion in Total Debt cannot be repaid..............get out of New York, won't help at all !

Obama and the DEMS simply do not know how to create Jobs and Private Investment.

Major $ Currency Devaluation in progress, $ 10 Loaf of Bread coming your way.

Grover and Mitt know better, nobody believes them.

USA is Greece.
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VivaZapata
08:18 AM on 09/19/2012
you guys have had thirty years of tax slashing, free markets, exploitation of other areas of the globe and it culminated in the '08 crash, bailed out by government. we're still waiting for the magic jobs the bush tax cuts are supposed to ensure.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Sandi Bachom
Filmmaker, Author, Digital Journalist
12:04 PM on 09/19/2012
I love Romney's he'll create 12 million jobs, what a jerk. He's so vague, no specifics and yet the Republicans have consistently blocked all job bills. I say bring back the WPA and put us artists to work!!!! If you come to New York and go to Rock Center or any old post office, the murals alone are museum quality...all WPA!
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Jahli
Sanity has a well known liberal bias
01:37 AM on 09/22/2012
Amen brother!!!
06:28 AM on 09/19/2012
I'd love to know if Mitt is signed up for Medicare. He's 65 and eligible, If so, he's one of the 47% he disdains!
08:10 PM on 09/19/2012
He didn't. I forget where I heard it, but he purposely declined to sign up for Medicare for this very reason.
09:10 PM on 09/19/2012
Thanks for the information. That makes sense on his part .
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kyosaku
Nothis non carborundum
09:02 AM on 09/20/2012
Not too mention that he can survive without it...bet his cook can't.