The first thing you need to do is write to your senator. I'm just as fed up as you are with the way our government is abusing funds. They're taking money right out of seniors social security benefits without a second thought about how seniors and retirees are going to survive. Do you know that seniors and retirees haven't received a cost of living increase for the past two years? The government gave the excuse that the cost of living hadn't increased. That's ridiculous!

Everywhere you look the cost of living has increased. While our government is pocketing the money. It doesn't make sense to me to give an incentive payment to people who own their own homes. They got money from our government to purchase new appliances. While seniors and retirees are forced to do without food, medication, clothing, etc. Many are being forced to live in the slums and gettos because they can't afford to live in a nice place or even in a reasonable place. They are starving, and the sick are getting sicker, but does our government really care? I don't think so.

I wrote my senator an eight page letter about all of this and let them know how dissatisfied I was with the way our government is handling our money. I even told him that I believed we were becoming more communistic then democratic, because if you really think about it, that's where we're headed. I also sent it to the President. I got a reply from the President (or the President's helper), which was a bunch of mumbo jumbo.

I do believe that if more people wrote to their senators, the more action we'll all see, but it will take some time. Things don't change over night, but we just can't sit in our homes and do nothing. It's good to see that there are people out there who truly are concerned about the state of our country, because if people just ignore this, when it comes time for them to retire, or God forbid they have an accident and end up on social security disability like myself, there isn't going to be any money left.

People need to realize that while they are paying social security taxes, it doesn't necessarily mean that the money will be there when they need it most. My suggestion to young people is to save as much as you possibly can, because you're going to need it when you retire. Don't count on our government because we may not even have a democracy in the very near future.

I was once very politically active because I too was disgusted at what my government was doing and still does.

I used to write long letters, send emails and make phone calls regularly. I always received the very same form letters and emails in response no matter what side of any given issue I may have taken.

Guess what? Absolutely nothing changed. All of my efforts were a complete waste of time over many years. The only way to stop abuse is to throw the bums out and elect people who are willing to change the way business is done in Washington. There is no other solution because the politicians don't care what you think.

Politics is a business and a very dirty business at that. It attracts many egotistical, type "A" personality types and those who are willing to claw their way to the top because that's the ONLY way to get there in the business of politics.

You have to first understand that it IS a business and like any business, certain requirements need to be met in order to get into the most lucrative and powerful positions. Those who are willing to do what it takes regardless of who gets hurt along the way are rewarded with great benefits; perks and privileges.

Once they become accustomed to the lifestyle they never want to leave. they also never write laws that take away any of their benefits and privileges. It's not going to happen no matter how often you write, call or email. There is no will at all to reform the atmosphere of Washington D.C.

What it will take is a new type of politician that is in the business to serve their nation and not to enrich themselves. There is a long standing culture of corruption that is so deeply embedded, it will take a major change of many fundamental aspects of how government does business before we even begin to see any significant change.

So, the only answer is throw the bums out, start a grass roots movement like the TEA party and target the corruption of government. It wouldn't be difficult at all to get millions of followers and/or members but it has to start somewhere with someone.

Until such a movement is in place that puts these crooks on notice, don't expect any change because you'll only be disappointed when no change happens.

While the first responder did note that the government (congressional profiteers, and the company's which lobby them?) are pocketing money, the response seemed to indicate that they (with written complaint) would behaviorly improve. I don't think they will police themselves even if the corruption is pointed out. The second (Betrade) responder does say that honesty would solve most of the problem and I think, intimate that a 'movement in place' might bring about real change. Also Betrade points out that once elected to congress the incumbent will do 'anything' (be bought?) in order to stay. 'Laws that take away any of their benefits and privileges' of course, will never be passed. So this to me implies that we need changes in congressional (rules? - like no travel paid for by lobbyists - no relatives on campaign payrolls etc.), and possibly term limits - maybe even better means of removing representatives who don't represent us.

Thank you very much for the award.

Let's just hope we can change the politics of corruption at some point; before it's too late I might add.

Thanks again. I appreciate it very much.

"WE THE PEOPLE" must vote in the ones we want in congress, not WE THE PARTY. Democratic and Republican partys pick the ones they want in to run and puts them up for election. The hell with that, WE THE PEOPLE should pick the man and vote for him and not a party ticket. The parties pick the one that will do them the most good rather than the people. I personally am independant and vote for the one that will do me the most good and the hell with a party.