corruption
A prime locale to talk bribery, suspect campaign funding, and all other instances of political corruption. The shadier, the better.
Get a Job! Sure, Give Me One.
Friday morning I got up at 4 a.m. and went to the Labor Staffing Agency to see if I could be put to work. Though I am considered "disabled" by Social Security and collect a small income every month for my previous employment contributions, my disability is not of the nature that I can not perform some manual tasks. Just as I can dress myself, clean my own home, garden my own yard, drive my own car, and handle my own money, I can also perform some basic labor. A program titled "Ticket to Work" of the Social Security Administration monitors recipients based on their age, disability, and income. Recipients over the age of 65 are allowed to collect benefits and work/earn as much as they can/like; However, recipients under the age of 65 have particular limits imposed on them. If they make more than a certain amount of money for more than 9 months, they are considered self-sufficient and capable and their benefits from SSA end. This happened to me in 2012, when it was determined that in 2011 I had earned over the set limit, therefore was not considered "disabled" anymore in 2012. I was determined "disabled" again in 2018 and my SSA benefits were re-established. Though I had worked various jobs from 2012 through 2017, my case proved that my mental illness was a hindrance to permanent sustainable employment. I accepted that determination and was grateful that the Social Security Administration exists so that I can recieve something, which in my opinion is always better than nothing.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in The Swamp
Are we ready for national bankcruptcy?
The national debt of the United States of America is more than 35 Trillion dollars today, October 18th, 2024. That's over $106,000 for every single person in America. How many jobs do you have? How many jobs have you had? How much money have you earned in your lifetime? More than 100k?
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in The Swamp
The Impact of Interest Rate Cuts on the United States Dollar, Global Markets, and Bitcoin
The Federal Reserve has a number of powerful instruments at its disposal, one of the most important of which is the choice to reduce interest rates. During periods of economic unpredictability, cutting interest rates can be an effective way to boost growth by lowering the costs of borrowing money for both consumers and businesses. There are, however, benefits and drawbacks associated with interest rate reductions, and the ramifications extend beyond the borders of the United States, having an effect on markets throughout the world as well as alternative assets such as Bitcoin. In this essay, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of lowering interest rates, with a particular emphasis on the ways in which this affects the economy of the United States, stock markets throughout the world, the United States dollar, and Bitcoin.
By Estalontechabout a year ago in The Swamp
Former VP Pence has a clear message for voters
Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a sobering reflection that underscored a pivotal moment in modern American history: "The American people deserve to know on that fateful day (January 6, 2021), President Trump also demanded I choose between him and our Constitution. Now, voters will be faced with the same choice. I chose the Constitution, and I always will."
By Joseph McCainabout a year ago in The Swamp
You can't trump a messiah in an election year, not even in the US
Apart from the early years when I’d not long been granted the right to vote, I’ve not really attended the election pantomime in the United Kingdom for the past 40 years having reached the conclusion long ago that politics is a rigged game across the globe.
By Steve Harrisonabout a year ago in The Swamp
Signing Away Our Rights
Terms of Service agreements are all over the place these days, people are asked to agree to them before any service sign-up can be completed. These standard agreements were previously intended to protect companies providing the service(s) against frivolous lawsuits and protection from liability. Generally, the terms of service agreements that people were required to sign laid out the restrictions regarding a service or product and its intended use. Terms of service agreements have always been very long and wordy with a lot of complex language and phrasing that can confuse those who are not attorneys or familiar with legalese. Most people are accustomed to signing these agreements without fully reading them and most never had any issue later.
By Luna Verityabout a year ago in The Swamp
Educational Institutes Leave American Citizens UnEducated
I watched a video today that made me have the ugliest epiphany. I remember my history teacher in middle school getting irate with me. Because I corrected him. I remember an argument where several people of color called me a 'fucking white lying racist bitch,' and verbally assaulted me because I corrected them too. Because they were wrong. I knew they were wrong. But I didn't understand that I was the only one in a sea of people where only a handful of us knew the truth.
By Hope Martinabout a year ago in The Swamp
The Dangerous Road of Socialism
Socialism promotes forced sharing, meant to weaken top earners, entrepreneurs, and employers. Whereas, New Testament-gospel-living promotes Holy Spirit inspired sharing, which flows from gratitude that applies to benefiting everyone, both the wealthy and poor. Socialism promotes getting something for nothing. New Testament-living promotes giving generously because you’ve been given everything. My point, in this juxtaposition of socialism versus New Testament generosity, is to emphasize that they are not even remotely similar in methodology or in intrinsic motivation.
By Rowan Finley about a year ago in The Swamp
Ephrata's Dirty Little Secret
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, is a picturesque town that proudly boasts the Green Dragon Farmers Market and attracts numerous visitors each year. However, behind its idyllic charm lies a darker reality: a growing homeless population that is becoming increasingly marginalized by local government policies. This issue is not just about individuals sleeping on the streets but also includes those who live in cars, bounce between couches, or find temporary shelter in storage units, offices, or even at their jobs. Ephrata’s homeless population is criminalized through ambiguous laws, denied meaningful assistance, and excluded from the community’s compassion—a crisis that has led to controversial enforcement, legal battles, and public outcry.
By Sunshine Firecrackerabout a year ago in The Swamp
OKAY ALREADY- So What?
August 2025 edit: The Project 2025 Tracker. Original Content I've thought about this for a while, and when I saw the short written and performed by Jason Kravits below, I knew it was time to write about it. Take a minute or so to watch and listen.
By Judey Kalchik about a year ago in The Swamp
