Hey all. I wrote to congressman Rodrigues quite a long time ago about something I don’t even remember what is now. Anyway I got on the mailing list and get some updates from him. I don’t know if he will even read my letter but I wrote to him a proposal of something that, if passed, would benefit anyone on Social Security, as well as the government itself and any companies affected by the proposal. I am going to copy most of my letter now, not including the first paragraph as it related to the contents of the email and not the proposal.
As for my request, you have plenty of things for veterans and such, but I would like to ask that a bill be passed in increase the amount of Social Security paid to blind and visual impaired individuals. As it is currently, it is virtually impossible for a blind person to live on their own. The average cost of living here in Texas, just for rent alone in a 1 bedroom apartment is around $500, and that doesn’t include bills and food, yet we are only paid $639 per month. I’ve even tried to get a place with someone else who is on Social Security and because most places require you to make at least 3 times the rent, we do not qualify. We can only qualify if they ask for 2 and a half and then just barely. I ask that SSI be increased to accommodate this, Also, many companies are unwilling to hire blind people due to discrimination, and give other excuses so that they don’t violate the ADA directly. Do you know what it is like to have experience and be told it is not enough, and then someone with none gets the job? I have a proposal which would benefit the businesses, the government, and blind/visually impaired individuals, as well as anyone on Social Security.
First, the government should provide a tax break to companies who hire citizens that are on Social Security, as well as pay half of the first month’s salary. This would give companies the chance to give us a chance and evaluate whether we are indeed right for the job. Meanwhile, the citizens are allowed to keep their SSI benefits for that month, in case they do not keep the job. If they remain an employee, their Social Security is then taken away.
This would benefit the government as if the person on SSI is granted the opportunity to prove themselves and keeps the job, the government no longer has to pay them, leaving more money either to pay other citizens who need it, or to put toward other things. This, in turn would benefit the recipients of the SSI benefits as it would both grant them a little more money with which to live on, as well as provide further encouragement to seek employment.
Consider for a moment, 10 people are on Social Security benefits being paid $6000/yr. Each of them gets a job making $2000 per month. The government pays $1000 to the company for the half salary. Then, say the companies each get a $2000 tax break. It’s all variable but for the example, The government has paid a total of $10000 in salary and $20000 in tax breaks, totaling $30000. If those ten people were on benefits, the government would’ve spent $60000. By saving $30000, they could put some toward increasing benefits for others, and allot the rest to other things. That’s just with ten people. Imagine that with thousands!
One final suggestion would be to, if possible, make it so that apartments only require people to make 2 and a half times rent, at least if they are on benefits, so that recipients can afford to get their own place, at least as roommates. Thank you for considering my suggestions.
Sincerely,
Amanda Robertson
As you can see, this proposal, if put into action, would benefit us, the government, and all companies affected as I stated before. The government should go for it as they’d still be getting the main benefit, but it’d help everyone. If they make 300000 per year from just ten people, imagine if it were 10000 people. The government would make $300000000, giving them plenty of money to redistribute back to Social Security and other causes. However, the government hasn’t been known for making the smartest decisions. Somehow I think my suggestion will just go out the window. Even if Mr Rodrigues has the common sense to acknowledge it and even bring it up before Congress, more than likely the rest of those damn politicians won’t accept it. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea if I do say so myself and I had to try. And knowing how greedy the government is, I figured explaining it in the way I did was the most likely way they might even consider it. Their greed may end up being a reason for accepting it. We shall see. Congressman Rodrigues also had a phone number so if I don’t hear a response via email soon, I will call and at least talk to a representative, but I’d like to get him if I can. We will see where it goes and I will post an update on this.
