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Showing posts with label Government by the People. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government by the People. Show all posts

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Social Security...Obama needs to crack down on incompetence & error! SS staff cause Hardships & have bad attitude...





Social Security employees have sh** for brains!



Obviously, the Social Security Adminstration has taken over an old attitude that was once relegated to a  major American corporate giant.

"We're the Social Security adminsitration. We don't have to care."

In recent days, many individuals receiving benefits, have been angry over errors made by employees at the administration's main 800 line, for starters, which have caused them financial hardships (late checks, benefits processed and fired off to the wrong destination, you name it).

And, what disturbs me most of all, is this.

When caught - the employees lie to clients - to protect their fat backsides down at their stale old offices.

Of course, American citizens may have a difficult time rustling up a worker on the telephone to get things off their chest (after all, they're all automated to ensure employees can collect their paychecks without having to actually be concerned about the problems of their clients or work off any sweat to actually earn the money).

They're also too stupid to figure things out.

If they didnt' have clients collecting monhtly benefits, they wouldn't have jobs, right?

Barack, you need to clean house, especially at Social Security's main toll-free 800 line.

And, in particular, investigate the conduct of managers such as Melody Davis in the Hollywood field office who is an unscrupulous nasty individual by all accounts (known to destroy documents when her dishonesty is uncovered, proven to have engaged  in vendettas against clients who complained to her superiors, and on  occasion manipulated documents to avoid disciplinary action from higher-ups)

One of the main problems with the 800 line, for starters, is that it is manned by workers who are not qualified for the job; consequently, fatal mistakes are made in the processing of data which results in  unnecessary financial hardships to the clients on the other end of the phone line.

For example, when one client dialed up to change their direct deposit information, the SS worker did not complete the task properly. 

Imagine the stress and anxiety that was thrust on the individual (living from check to check in near destitution & ;home less) when the monies were not available on the payment date because the benefits were sent to the wrong financial institution!

When the party called back to straighten out the mess, SS employees were reluctant to admit fault.

And - during an attempt to sort out the snafu - Social Security made another error which delayed their benefits even longer!

To prevent the saga from dragging on the beneficiary was advised to go into the local field office and fill out paperwork so a trace could locate the stray cash (with the understanding - mind you -that they would receive a check that day).

All falsehoods!

At the local office in Hollywood (CA), a female clerk asserted that no check could be issued that day, until the trace was completed.

When the party noted they were done to their last $50.00  and needed to pay rent, she lied!

"You'll have a check on the 3rd of February," she assured the anxious disabled person.

False!

When the check did not arrive in the mailbox, they once again called Social Security, and were shocked to learn that no check had been re-issued (as falsely alleged by the SS employee in the Hollywood field office) and that it may be a week or so until they received their benefits.

What revolting  despicable conduct.

Imagine that individual  trekking down to the post office every day sure the check would be in the box - only to learn the sad truth days later - that the administration's clerk was a dirty rotten liar.

In addition to this cruel behaviour - have they no empathy or compassion? - there are so many other flaws in their procedures, too.

For instance, if you call the Holllywood Vine Street field office, first you will be greeted by a tape recording assuring you that a social worker will be with your shortly.

In the interim, the client is offered various choices on the automated system, with lousey nerve-wracking muzak droning on  in the background ad nauseam.

On numerous occasions, an automaed voice will "thank" the individual for waiting, which inferss that the line is going to be anwered (when, in fact, it is not).

One person I spoke with lamented that they waited on the phone for about forty minutes, at which point, there was a clicking sound and the call was forwarded on to a desk at that Hollywood office.

Guess what?

It rang and rang and rang for about 200 times - and no one, not one soul - bothered to answer!

Curiously, a recording played back during the course of the wait, actually makes a point of noting that the line is being monitored for quality purposes.

Indeed!

Are supervisors at Social Security going to track down the employee who neglected their duties and take disciplinary action against them?

Hell no!

Many Americans on Social Security are subsequently forced to go down to the local office  in person, to ensure that action is taken to resolve their problem, since they can't  reach anyone on the phone.

In this scenario, they'll be shuffled from one line to another - called by number again and again - and then be forced to wait!! waii! wait!

During the interview they are treated shabbily - demeansed beyond imagination - then lied to about the circumstances surrounding  the errors SS  made which caused great mental, emotional, and financial hardship.

Is this humane, Mr. President?

And, when you consider most of these individuals are seniors who are weak and unable to fight for themselves in most cases, the Social Security adminstration should be downright ashamed.

I say fire these incompetent insensitive a**holes - Melody Davis first off - and purge the adminstration of the incompetence, error, and out-dated out-moded Social Security system which is clearly broke and needs fixing.

Americans deserve something better.

Amen!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Social Security...staff snoop and invade privacy of citizens! Rights violations must stop...


Identity theft starts at Social Security due to poor training
and failure to observe privacy laws



There has been some grumbling among residents in some neighborhoods that Social Security staff (in particular security guards and clerks handling benefits issues) have been snooping into their affairs and discussing highly-confidential client information in violation of State and Federal Law.

Actors, writers - and performers in the arts who tend to be in the spotlight a lot - are particularly upset when they encounter stares and notice that employees actually point them out in the waiting room and disclose private and confidential information about them to other staff members in the office.

Either the employees at Social Security are very stupid - or lack formal training - in respect to the basics (such  as they pertain to privacy issues and the right to be treated without discrimination).

All citizens have a right to drop into a Social Security office to obtain a new card, question eligibility for benefts, whatever.

They shouldn't be scared away from visting a local Social Security office for fear that details of their private lives will be revealed to gossip mongers, the curious, or the tabloids.

The problem appears to occur with African-Americans and Hispanics who don't have much of a clue about the issues in view of their track record.

When I hear the complaints, I urge the victims to report the matter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration in Washington (and their local rep at the State level).

If these employees show don't show more compassion and understanding, they should be shown the door, to prevent these disturbing intrusions from unfolding unjustly in the future.




Friday, January 29, 2010

President Barack Obama...partners with YouTube for fireside chat! Q & A with head honcho February 1st...






In spite of the fact the State of the Union address on Wednesday appeared to underscore to many political pundits, Republicans, and Barack Obama critics (and foes) that the President fell short - his rallying team  insisted in an e-mail communication to me this evening that undoubtedly the universe was unfolding as it should (as my own Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau once eloquently noted in an hour of defeat).

Why?

After the speech (in which the President laid out his priorities for jump-starting job creation, fighting to restore economic security to American families, and changing the way business is done in Washington) he met with Republicans at their retreat and answered questions directly for about sixty minutes.

In his down-to-earth communication to me - David Axelrod (one of Obama's Senior Advisors) - noted that the pow-wow was an honest and unscripted discussion where the President took questions and concerns seriously, acknowledged where his opponents made valid points, and explained genuinely where he felt they were wrong.

In the final analysis, Axelrod excitedly concluded that this event - which was triggered with little fanfare at the offset with no ulterior motive - was something few Americans thought conceivable in American politics.

"It was a real discussion with honest disagreements about the challenges Americans and their leaders face," he asserted in so many words.

Citizens who would like to catch the"historic" event - which was recorded on video for posterity - are invited to surf over to  http://www.whitehouse.gov/ where the footage is currently online for viewing.
"The President talked about how politicians of both parties need to work together to bring change to Washington. But changing our politics is not just about Washington. It’s about  every American citizen, knowing that government is listening and that you can hold your government accountable," Axelrod's army of suits sincerely stressed.

In an interesting twist (a sign of the times?) Axelrod also announced that the White Houe has partnered with YouTube to give Americans the opportunity to ask questions of the President.

Citizens are invited to "ask whatever you want" or just vote on other questions that fellow citizens have submitted.

The President will answer some of the queries in a unique event on Monday @ http://www.whitehouse.gov/

In conclusion, Barack Obama's staff noted that if changing politics were easy, it would have been done a long time ago.

"I hope we can all join the President in helping make that change happen."

YouTube Instructions

Watch the video of President Obama with House Republicans, then submit your own question, or just vote on the questions that you'd like to see him answer on Monday.



Friday, October 17, 2008

Barack Obama...William Ayers issues a stirring dilemma!


Until now, I have stayed out of the fray in respect to issues surrounding Obama's so-called ties with alleged "Weatherman" terrorist, William Ayers.

I'll start by noting for the record - that while the former "Underground" leader and I both have similar last names (unlike me he has an "e" in his surname) - there is no relation.

For starters, I find the arguments regarding the issues quite compelling.

To begin with, I think it important that those who are deeply troubled by the allegations, should take a look at the circumstances in their original context.


At the time Mr. Ayers was part of the alleged "terrorist" group there was an unpopular war raging in Vietnam.


Many rose up against the administration and were inclined to consider anarchism the route to go to rectify what they perceived as a "wrong".



Was that so out-of-line in view of the circumstances?




After all, the founding fathers of this great Nation once wrote in a preamble - when they were drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights - that the U.S. Government should be "by the people" and "for the people".

Likewise, they asserted - that when the U.S. Government ceased to be for the people - it should be abolished.

Were the founding fathers anarchists (or terrorists) at heart?

That stickling point out-of-the-way, it's important to take a look at the "crimes" Ayers was accused of committing.

By virtue of his ties with the "Weatherman Underground" - it was alleged he partook in the bombing of buildings - which resulted in at least one death that I am aware of.

These were heinous illegal acts - which cried out for prosecution - under the strictest letter of the law.

No government or its people can condone such conduct in a civilized society.

However, now comes the tricky part of the scenario.

Charges against Mr. Ayers were dropped on what some perceive as "technical" grounds.

In sum, a Judge ruled that because the government engaged in "misconduct", the proceedings were essentially tainted and warranted a dismissal.

Although Ayers was set free - he was never cleared of the alleged "crimes" accused of - to the satisfaction of many.

In fact, doubts still exist today as to his guilt, the extent of his involvement, and so forth and so on.

In view of this, I find the outrage of some, understandable.

Crimes of the ilk he was accused of - demanded prosecution - but it appears he may have eluded the long arm of the law by virtue of legal snafus.

Next, we move on to the issue of Obama's alleged ties with Ayers.

The acts Ayers was accused of were allegedly carried out when Barack was a boy of eight.

Some argue that for this reason, Barack should not be criticized for working alongside Mr. Ayers in the Chicago area, years later as an adult.

Contrary to what Sarah Palin asserts, Mr. Obama was not pals with the man - nor did he move in social circles in any capacity with Ayers - beyond the realm of their mutual involvements in local politics, charitable organizations, etc.

But, another bone of contention arises, at this juncture.

Was Obama aware of Mr. Ayers' past?

If so, did he ever question the extent of the man's involvement, with a known "terrorist" organization?

In that event, what conclusions did he come to?

If Obama had any doubts - did he raise them with Ayers when an opportunity arose to set the record straight - or at least try to appease his own conscience in some respect?

Or - did he "not go there" - because the court dismissed the charges against Ayers?

I wonder, too, if he ever questioned Ayers' role in the bombings - especially in view of the fact - the dismissal was based on technicalities.

After all - all the facts and evidence pertaining to the alleged extent of Ayers' involvement - were never properly adjudicated in the courts (nor was there a legal finding of innocence in a Court of Law).

So, there it is in a nutshell.

Essentially, it's a can of worms that continues to wiggle its way around the political landscape, as foes and allies on each side stridently thrash out the specifics.

If the process sheds light in dark corners, and turns up the truth, Amen!

Otherwise, maybe it's time to let go of the past and move on.

As one voter noted, "people" change.

More importantly, they should be forgiven and allowed the chance to rehabilitate themselves and start fresh in life, which is one of their inalienable rights.

Is the ghost of the past that haunts Ayers today, sufficient gut-wrenching punishment?

You decide.

 
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