Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was just reading all the debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should share a bit of information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in special needs trusts. She lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I asked her why services are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need of the right services (not generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard time finding anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said that state by state, whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people in the state can be determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at 5% or higher. In any state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough services... and this is the ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since everyone is so afraid of taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 individuals vying for each slot. Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very interesting; and in case anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any political party (I don't even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise before being elected. Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should care for those who need care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). I recently became a co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible for her health and happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all know full well that no individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and places to live that our loved ones *need* to be healthy and happy. I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister are cast to the side. What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't even as bad as many others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able to adjust her work schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what could have happened. - _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi : Thank you for sharing your views. It gives us another way to think about the problems in our state. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... the debate I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was just reading all the debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should share a bit of information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in special needs trusts. She lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I asked her why services are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need of the right services (not generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard time finding anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said that state by state, whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people in the state can be determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at 5% or higher. In any state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough services... and this is the ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since everyone is so afraid of taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 individuals vying for each slot. Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very interesting; and in case anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any political party (I don't even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise before being elected. Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should care for those who need care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). I recently became a co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible for her health and happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all know full well that no individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and places to live that our loved ones *need* to be healthy and happy. I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister are cast to the side. What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't even as bad as many others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able to adjust her work schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what could have happened. - __________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I suppose if there were to a way to research this it could be supported to increase the taxes. However, I date back to the pre-Illinois lottery days when we were promised money from the lottery would ADD to school funding and we would have wonderful schools in Il. Once added taxes are o k'd, I would be very concerned the money would not be used for people with disabilities. If we just switched the funding stream...less on institutions and more home based/community funds, we could have better lives for more people. Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 > >Well said !!! There is much waste in State and Federal government and it is up to the people, especially us, to be politically active - the well being of our loved ones are at stake. I know many are in over load and can't handle another thing, so the ones of us that are in a better place have to work extra hard to make a difference for all those in Illinois and the Nation. We can't give up on our political leaders. We have to keep going until we get it right. CJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Don't even get me started on institutions and what that costs the state! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: the debate I suppose if there were to a way to research this it could be supported to increase the taxes. However, I date back to the pre-Illinois lottery days when we were promised money from the lottery would ADD to school funding and we would have wonderful schools in Il. Once added taxes are o k'd, I would be very concerned the money would not be used for people with disabilities. If we just switched the funding stream...less on institutions and more home based/community funds, we could have better lives for more people. Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks for sharing this. Terry handled Luke's trust (and our wills) and I have much respect for her. Whenever I hear people complain about taxes I, too, try to keep in mind the relationship between taxes and services and agree that we're undertaxed and underserved in Illinois. Now .... about voting ..... I know it's often a case of choosing between the lesser of two perceived evils, but I encourage everyone to vote. Shucks, even those who feel different about issues than I do. As I always say, " They have a right to be wrong. " ;-) Ron > > > I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was just reading all the debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should share a bit of information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. > > Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in special needs trusts. She lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I asked her why services are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need of the right services (not generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard time finding anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said that state by state, whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people in the state can be determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at 5% or higher. In any state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough services... and this is the ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since everyone is so afraid of taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 individuals vying for each slot. > > Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very interesting; and in case anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any political party (I don't even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise before being elected. > > Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should care for those who need care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). I recently became a co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible for her health and happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all know full well that no individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and places to live that our loved ones *need* to be healthy and happy. > > I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister are cast to the side. What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't even as bad as many others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able to adjust her work schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what could have happened. > > - > > _________________________________________________________________ > Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. > http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hi all: Let's try to leave judgements <They have a right to be wrong.> even tongue in cheek out of our comments, please. I agree that voting is critical! Thanks. Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: the debate Thanks for sharing this. Terry handled Luke's trust (and our wills) and I have much respect for her. Whenever I hear people complain about taxes I, too, try to keep in mind the relationship between taxes and services and agree that we're undertaxed and underserved in Illinois. Now .... about voting ..... I know it's often a case of choosing between the lesser of two perceived evils, but I encourage everyone to vote. Shucks, even those who feel different about issues than I do. As I always say, " They have a right to be wrong. " ;-) Ron > > > I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was just reading all the debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should share a bit of information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. > > Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in special needs trusts. She lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I asked her why services are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need of the right services (not generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard time finding anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said that state by state, whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people in the state can be determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at 5% or higher. In any state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough services... and this is the ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since everyone is so afraid of taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 individuals vying for each slot. > > Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very interesting; and in case anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any political party (I don't even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise before being elected. > > Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should care for those who need care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). I recently became a co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible for her health and happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all know full well that no individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and places to live that our loved ones *need* to be healthy and happy. > > I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister are cast to the side. What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't even as bad as many others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able to adjust her work schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what could have happened. > > - > > __________________________________________________________ > Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. > http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Ellen, I wasn't being judgmental - note the wink and grin at the end. I even used to tell my clients (on those rare occasions when they disagreed with me) that it was okay for them to be wrong too. Gather you might be a little sensitive here. Ron On Nov 1, 2007, at 9:23 AM, Ellen Bronfeld wrote: > Hi all: > Let's try to leave judgements <They have a right to be wrong.> > even tongue in cheek out of our comments, please. > I agree that voting is critical! > Thanks. > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Re: the debate > > Thanks for sharing this. Terry handled Luke's trust (and our > wills) and I have much > respect for her. Whenever I hear people complain about taxes I, too, > try to keep in mind > the relationship between taxes and services and agree that we're > undertaxed and > underserved in Illinois. > Now .... about voting ..... I know it's often a case of choosing > between the lesser of two > perceived evils, but I encourage everyone to vote. Shucks, even those > who feel different > about issues than I do. As I always say, " They have a right to be > wrong. " ;-) > Ron > > > > > > > > I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was > just reading all the > debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should > share a bit of > information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. > > > > Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in > special needs trusts. She > lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I > asked her why services > are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need > of the right services (not > generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard > time finding > anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said > that state by state, > whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people > in the state can be > determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at > 5% or higher. In any > state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough > services... and this is the > ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since > everyone is so afraid of > taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 > individuals vying for > each slot. > > > > Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very > interesting; and in case > anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any > political party (I don't > even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise > before being elected. > > > > Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should > care for those who need > care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). > I recently became a > co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible > for her health and > happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all > know full well that no > individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and > places to live that our loved > ones *need* to be healthy and happy. > > > > I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister > are cast to the side. > What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't > even as bad as many > others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able > to adjust her work > schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what > could have happened. > > > > - > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word > scramble challenge with star > power. > > > http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx? > icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 I am actually not sensitive at all about this. I did note the wink and grin! I just want to be sure that no one else takes offense. Thanks! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Re: the debate > > Thanks for sharing this. Terry handled Luke's trust (and our > wills) and I have much > respect for her. Whenever I hear people complain about taxes I, too, > try to keep in mind > the relationship between taxes and services and agree that we're > undertaxed and > underserved in Illinois. > Now .... about voting ..... I know it's often a case of choosing > between the lesser of two > perceived evils, but I encourage everyone to vote. Shucks, even those > who feel different > about issues than I do. As I always say, " They have a right to be > wrong. " ;-) > Ron > > > > > > > > I was moving last week and got really behind on emails. So I was > just reading all the > debate about state funding for healthcare, and I thought I should > share a bit of > information my family recently received. Hope you don't mind. > > > > Many of you know Terry Varnet, the disability lawyer/expert in > special needs trusts. She > lives, and I believe practices, in both Massachusetts and Chicago. I > asked her why services > are so scarce here in Illinois. My sister is in really desperate need > of the right services (not > generic, one size fits all day programs), and we have had such a hard > time finding > anything close to being right *with an opening for her.* She said > that state by state, > whether there are enough services for the number of disabled people > in the state can be > determined simply by whether the state (not federal) income tax is at > 5% or higher. In any > state that taxes less than 5%, there will simply not be enough > services... and this is the > ugly truth that no one will ever come out and advocate for (since > everyone is so afraid of > taxes). Illinois taxes between 2-3% - and in this state, there are 10 > individuals vying for > each slot. > > > > Anyway, I thought people should know this. I found it very > interesting; and in case > anyone's wondering about my motivation: I'm not " partisan " to any > political party (I don't > even vote). Politicians will do whatever, no matter what they promise > before being elected. > > > > Personally, I think at this point in human civilization, we should > care for those who need > care, because we're more than capable of providing it (as a society). > I recently became a > co-guardian of my sister and swore that I'd be legally responsible > for her health and > happiness. It was beyond infuriating to swear to that when we all > know full well that no > individual, or even family, can provide the programs, jobs, and > places to live that our loved > ones *need* to be healthy and happy. > > > > I'm frankly very angry at the inhumane way people like my sister > are cast to the side. > What makes it worse is that I know that our family's situation isn't > even as bad as many > others. If my parents didn't have decent jobs and my mom wasn't able > to adjust her work > schedule to take care of my sister... I shudder to think of what > could have happened. > > > > - > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word > scramble challenge with star > power. > > > http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx? > icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 You know that I totally agree with you Maureen. He had total passion against the corporate taking of the government, especially the pharmaceutical companies. After last night it was clear that McCain and would serve our kids well. Obama has the talk as well, he mentions special interests quite often, but when said it was personal, I really felt it. If it comes down to these 3 candidates, I have hope….- From: EOHarm [mailto:EOHarm ] On Behalf Of Maurine Meleck Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 7:32 AM EOHarm Subject: Re: The Debate On the othr side, I thought won the debate. It was the best ever I heard him. Maurine Trish <minniemimi1 > wrote: This was interesting. McCain made a negative comment about the control the pharmaceutical companies have on us. Romney quickly defended them saying something to the effect that they are not bad and have helped us a lot. McCain shot back something like " Oh yes they are " . Did anybody catch that? -Trish Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 I caught it. It made me laugh. Mitt Romney is very obviously a jerk. To be able to defend the pharma companies, he must be evil. When Romney said drug companies were not evil, McCain chimed in and said " oh yes they are " I couldn't help but laugh. It was cool. My favorite part was when sided with Obama against Hillary. She looked like her face was going to explode. She kept saying " I've already made change. " She was clearly rattled. It made my night to see her squirm. Chrissy > > This was interesting. McCain made a negative comment about the control > the pharmaceutical companies have on us. Romney quickly defended them > saying something to the effect that they are not bad and have helped > us a lot. McCain shot back something like " Oh yes they are " . Did > anybody catch that? > > -Trish > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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