I Just Quit Republican Party - Now Independent

[Woodznutz]

Wages are not keeping up with consumer spending index/inflation, as just released yesterday. People know this and can feel it. I understand the principle in Iran, but this mess is gonna cost us the midterms very shortly, if not immediately. Americans are very tired of being told it's Covid or Iran or whatever hobbling the economy.

The economy is burdened with debt at every level. The cost of credit takes the value out of everything.

 

[protectionist]

Reread my post and it may sink in.

Hint: The same reason why they did it to Bush II.

You have no answer. OK.

 

[protectionist]

OK, I did a inquiry and there could be some help for you to move to a cheaper rent place with moving costs and some housing programs.... i think you are in Tampa?


Florida law explicitly bans local rent control or rent freezes, meaning Tampa cannot legally cap your landlord's rent increases. However, you can access localized financial aid and income-based housing programs designed to combat these rising costs.
Tampa & Hillsborough County Programs
The Tampa Housing Authority: This is your primary resource for Section 8 vouchers and senior-specific public housing complexes, which cap your rent at 30% of your income. You can reach them to check waitlists and apply.

Hillsborough County Aging Services: They offer a "Help Me, Hillsborough" hotline at (813) 272-5220 to connect low-income seniors with direct financial stabilization services, case management, and localized utility or rent assistance.

Hillsborough County Housing Stability Program: Run in partnership with community groups, this initiative provides emergency rent payment assistance to tenants facing severe rent hikes or potential eviction if their household income falls below 80% of the Area Median Income.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (211): By dialing 211 locally, you can connect with active, short-term rental assistance funds distributed through local charities like Metropolitan Ministries or the Salvation Army.
Because Florida lacks statewide rent caps, your best course of action is to immediately contact Hillsborough County Aging Services or the Tampa Housing Authority to explore income-restricted senior housing or active emergency voucher programs.
and there is this....
Relocation & Moving Assistance
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA):

Local offices provide relocation counseling, housing resources, and sometimes grants or volunteer aid for packing and moving.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG): A federal program that can help with rental deposits, utility connections, and moving costs if you are at risk of homelessness.

Charities and Nonprofits:

Organizations like The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local Community Action Agencies frequently provide one-time financial aid for security deposits or moving truck expenses.

Next Step: Dial 211 or visit 211.org to instantly connect with a local specialist who can look up current open waiting lists and moving grants right in your immediate area.

Thanks.

 

[protectionist]

It's hard to see how quitting the GOP helps the SSA situation,

I have responded to this 3 times already (or was it 4 ?)

 

[protectionist]

Sounds like you are living in the SF Bay area and rent. Suggestions for you.
Do you have family who likes you? Who has a home that you know who has only adults and spare bedrooms? Like say in Tracy or Manteca? Do you have to live in the SF Bay area if you live there?

I live in Tampa, Florida

 

[protectionist]

Social Security is a poor investment for the Government.

That isn't the intention.

 

[TNHarley]

I just changed my political party from Republican to Independent. Yes, I agree with Trump on a variety of things BUT there is one glaring (if not terrifying) thing that is staring me in the face, that I don't see anybody even talking about, much less dealing with it. That is the outrageous discrepancy between the yearly Social Security COLA (Cost of living Adjustment) increase in our monthly Social Security check, and the monstrous housing rent increases that landlords have been walloping us with.

So what does this mean in $$ & cents ? The 2025 & 2026 COLAs both were 2.8%. So our Social Security checks went up 2.8%.
This gave me a "whopping" (insulting) $31/month more to my income. At the same time, my apartment rent went up $104. So I LOST $73 per month. That's like going out in the street and being mugged for $73 once every month. Or being mugged for $876 once a year. Or $4,380 every 5 years.

For $4,380, I could buy a helluva nice guitar and mandolin, both of excellent quality.

It would be nice if some politicians were to even BE TALKING ABOUT THIS, much less doing something about it.

So, all you seniors out there, collecting Social Security, have you contacted your folks in Congress ? A 2018 study done by the Senior citizens League showed a noticable 34% loss of buying power since 2000 - and that was before housing rents went on their astronomical surges of the 2020s (and showing no sign of diminishing). REMEMBER >>> If your congressmen don't hear from you, THEY THINK YOURE HAPPY, AND DOING FINE.

Either the rents have to be controlled, or the COLAs need to be increased (or both). Doing nothing is unacceptable. Unless you think getting poorer & poorer with each passing year is acceptable - in which case, you'll need to have your head examined.

Note - 73% of Social Security recipients rely on it for most of their income. 50% rely on it for ALL of their income.

https://seniorsleague.org/assets/2018-Loss-of-Buying-Power-Report.pdf

Well you are a complete statist. You should be joining the democrat socialists of america.

 

[protectionist]

This is it the most important issue in America the cost of living. How people are doing financially. It’s what defines the American dream. Look at how some of your own fellow Trump voters are treating you. Laughing at you while they wave their Israeli flag. Just laughing at you blowing this off giggling acting like pansies.

What is also driving up your cost of rent? The war in Iran. Driving up the cost of oil making people pay more at the gas pumps. Groceries going up in prices.

What we need is the democrat party from the 1950s era. Or even Eisenhower republicans…. Today The uni party gives our money to Israel. And you can support Israel all you want, but this is playing a role in the bad economy. Rarely do I even hear Democrats talking about helping the middle class. All they talk about is Trump being a Nazi while most support the genocide in Gaza and at best mildly criticize the war in Iran…rank and file democrats are in unison though with neo cons. Meanwhile some of the beta male pro Israel Republicans go around calling people Nazis and racist just like the BLM left does.

Now aside from Israel and Iran. And again you can support Israel, but everyone can accept the fact that that war in Iran jacked up the cost of oil it’s undeniable, but we all know that back in the day this kind of stuff wasn’t an issue when it came to greedy Landlord out of control or rent increases not coinciding with people’s purchasing power. The greatest middle class in America history was in the middle of the 20th century.

Israel and the war in Iran has nothing to do with housing rent inflation.
We've gotten 10% rent increases every year for the last 4 years.
Simultaneously, the Social Security COLAs mirror the ludicrous CPI reports of 2.8%.

Secondly, I don't see anybody laughing at me, and if they did, they're fully entitled to make a fool out of themself. No law against it.

 

[protectionist]

Well you are a complete statist. You should be joining the democrat socialists of america.

What ever gave you that weird idea ? You can join the Democrazies if you like, I prefer to remain sane.

 

[TNHarley]

What ever gave you that weird idea ? You can join the Democrazies if you like, I pefer to remain sane.

You want rent control dude. Give me a break.

 

[HeyNorm]

I just changed my political party from Republican to Independent. Yes, I agree with Trump on a variety of things BUT there is one glaring (if not terrifying) thing that is staring me in the face, that I don't see anybody even talking about, much less dealing with it. That is the outrageous discrepancy between the yearly Social Security COLA (Cost of living Adjustment) increase in our monthly Social Security check, and the monstrous housing rent increases that landlords have been walloping us with.

So what does this mean in $$ & cents ? The 2025 & 2026 COLAs both were 2.8%. So our Social Security checks went up 2.8%.
This gave me a "whopping" (insulting) $31/month more to my income. At the same time, my apartment rent went up $104. So I LOST $73 per month. That's like going out in the street and being mugged for $73 once every month. Or being mugged for $876 once a year. Or $4,380 every 5 years.

For $4,380, I could buy a helluva nice guitar and mandolin, both of excellent quality.

It would be nice if some politicians were to even BE TALKING ABOUT THIS, much less doing something about it.

So, all you seniors out there, collecting Social Security, have you contacted your folks in Congress ? A 2018 study done by the Senior citizens League showed a noticable 34% loss of buying power since 2000 - and that was before housing rents went on their astronomical surges of the 2020s (and showing no sign of diminishing). REMEMBER >>> If your congressmen don't hear from you, THEY THINK YOURE HAPPY, AND DOING FINE.

Either the rents have to be controlled, or the COLAs need to be increased (or both). Doing nothing is unacceptable. Unless you think getting poorer & poorer with each passing year is acceptable - in which case, you'll need to have your head examined.

Note - 73% of Social Security recipients rely on it for most of their income. 50% rely on it for ALL of their income.

https://seniorsleague.org/assets/2018-Loss-of-Buying-Power-Report.pdf

Wow, that’s as stupid as I’ve read on this page.

The federal government raised the rent on your apartment?

 

[protectionist]

You want rent control dude. Give me a break.

So what ? You think that's a Democrat issue ? Looks like you haven't looked into it too deeply. Guess again.

1. Of 25 states that went to Biden in 2020, 17 of them did not have any rent control law.
2. 14 of those 17 had laws BANNING it.
3. Besides 112 million renters, 40 million small business owners (mostly Republicans) are getting killed by the lack of rent control. Their sales $$ being diverted to landlords.
4. 160 million stockholders (mostly Republican) likewise are getting killed by not having rent control.

Starting to get the picture ?

 

[protectionist]

Wow, that’s as stupid as I’ve read on this page.

The federal government raised the rent on your apartment?

Go back to sleep. You're not fully awake.

 

[TNHarley]

So what ? You think that's a Democrat issue ? Looks like you haven't looked into it too deeply. Guess again.

1. Of 25 states that went to Biden in 2020, 17 of them did not have any rent control law.
2. 14 of those 17 had laws BANNING it.
3. Besides 112 million renters, 40 million small business owners (mostly Republicans) are getting killed by the lack of rent control. Their sales $$ being diverted to landlords.
4. 160 million stockholders (mostly Republican) likewise are getting killed by not having rent control.

Starting to get the picture ?

Its a statist issue.

 

[task0778]

Its a statist issue.

Protectionist wants to make it a federal law. Might happen if the democrats gain control of Congress and the White House and they subsequently abolish the filibuster. Otherwise yeah, it's a state issue.

 

[protectionist]

Its a statist issue.

Did your teachers not explain that the USA is a combination of capitalism and socialism ? Both playing positive roles, when done correctly.

We have Social Security. You got a problem with that ?

And you're OK with consumer $$ being funneled almost exclusively to landlords, AT THE EXPENSE OF thousands of businesses (large & small) ?

 

[protectionist]

Protectionist wants to make it a federal law. Might happen if the democrats gain control of Congress and the White House and they subsequently abolish the filibuster. Otherwise yeah, it's a state issue.

Democrats are OPPOSED to it. Can you read ? See Post 112.

This is not a Democrat vs Republican issue. It is a
1. landlord vs renters &
2. landlords vs all other businesses issue.

 

[protectionist]

Democrats are OPPOSED to it. Can you read ? See Post 112.

This is not a Democrat vs Republican issue. It is a
1. landlord vs renters &
2. landlords vs all other businesses issue.

How does Robert W find post # 117 to be "Fake" ?

 

[Robert W]

As bad as your situation is, one hopes you read what Florida does for tenants.
Let me address what rent control does against tenants. Tenants learn fast that landlords' taxes rise fast and then the landlords quit properly caring for the property. Sure one can pretend the property never needs repairs, such as your dishwasher failing, or heaters fail. Then you will wish the landlord could afford to fix those things. And rent control has failed everywhere it is used. Have you told the landlord no to his price increase? Explain why he is better off with you.

Seek help and move to a lower priced area. Do you have any friends at all?

 

[Mac-7]

I just changed my political party from Republican to Independent. Yes, I agree with Trump on a variety of things BUT there is one glaring (if not terrifying) thing that is staring me in the face, that I don't see anybody even talking about, much less dealing with it. That is the outrageous discrepancy between the yearly Social Security COLA (Cost of living Adjustment) increase in our monthly Social Security check, and the monstrous housing rent increases that landlords have been walloping us with.

So what does this mean in $$ & cents ? The 2025 & 2026 COLAs both were 2.8%. So our Social Security checks went up 2.8%.
This gave me a "whopping" (insulting) $31/month more to my income. At the same time, my apartment rent went up $104. So I LOST $73 per month. That's like going out in the street and being mugged for $73 once every month. Or being mugged for $876 once a year. Or $4,380 every 5 years.

For $4,380, I could buy a helluva nice guitar and mandolin, both of excellent quality.

It would be nice if some politicians were to even BE TALKING ABOUT THIS, much less doing something about it.

So, all you seniors out there, collecting Social Security, have you contacted your folks in Congress ? A 2018 study done by the Senior citizens League showed a noticable 34% loss of buying power since 2000 - and that was before housing rents went on their astronomical surges of the 2020s (and showing no sign of diminishing). REMEMBER >>> If your congressmen don't hear from you, THEY THINK YOURE HAPPY, AND DOING FINE.

Either the rents have to be controlled, or the COLAs need to be increased (or both). Doing nothing is unacceptable. Unless you think getting poorer & poorer with each passing year is acceptable - in which case, you'll need to have your head examined.

Note - 73% of Social Security recipients rely on it for most of their income. 50% rely on it for ALL of their income.

https://seniorsleague.org/assets/2018-Loss-of-Buying-Power-Report.pdf

You dont sound like you were ever a conservative or a republican