Sounds like your HOA is the unusual one. Check this out: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128078864&ft=1&f=1001
So what it sounds like you and YallMean are saying is that since things in the US aren't as bad as India and the PRC we shouldn't expect better.
The reason I said "foreigner" is because the title of the thread is "Only in America" and from the OP I felt it meant that in a negative way. I can't think of any place in the world where a person can have that fellow's bad run of luck in a recession and still be in as good a position as he is in. He has received good money for a year and a half from worker's comp and money from his fellow citizens for his mentally handicapped wife, while still having a pretty decent chance at finding some good work (40 years experience should be able to find him some decent non-labor work). Has this guy been looking for work for the past year while he has been receiving worker's comp?
You should wait until to get your first job before you start talking about other people living beyond their means.
Because only in america you can moan about selling your guns for 10 cents on the dollar and owing $700 to the HOA The government should buy his guns and pay him 10k/mo to sit on his arse
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9o6LquMyLvU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9o6LquMyLvU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
I ran a google search for houston worker's comp attorney and found a ton of listings of lawyers that still handle these cases...including claims for medical treatment. If a number of attorneys turned him down, then they must not have thought it was a case that was likely to be a win. I would commend to your reading Chapter 209 of the Texas Property Code. There are some safeguards in there that this man may be able to use. Based on the circumstances, I would assume that you are talking about a Chapter 13 case. If that is true, then you are conveniently leaving out a significant piece of information. In the Southern District of Texas, the Court approved flat fee for a case is $3,085.00. Most bankruptcy attorneys in Houston will want the $274.00 filing fee and a small part of the fees up front. The rest of the fee gets paid through the plan with the other debts over 36 to 60 months. A Chapter 7 case generally runs around $2,000 depending on the firm and the complexity of the case. Sure the worker's comp system needs to improve. On the other hand, there is no denying in any real sense that without the need for proof, the system would become overburdened with meritless and/or fraudulent claims. Sadly, when some abuse the system, it is the meritorious people like the man you met with that ultimately pay the price. From what you mentioned about worker's comp attorneys and bankruptcy attorneys, I would suggest to you that he has not searched to find professionals that will help him. Either that, or he got some atrocious advice (perhaps from the news or a neighbor). The good guys are out there. You have to find them.
So what? The guy didn't manage his money well. It's that simple. Making 100K a year for years. I'm assuming this was for at least a decade and at for a decade making 100K with one child he should've at least saved up which he did, but to not invest that, which I'm assuming he didn't do very well given his current situation I don't feel too bad. We live in a world where there are people who have made 30K for the past 3 decades who know how to manage their cash and aren't in that situation. But, good luck to him. I hate to see people in troubles, but it happens and to triumph through these times is possible and something I wish for all.
Are you even aware of what you're doing? Aside from the trolling part, I mean? Anyone can pick and choose events or situations to justify their beliefs, and grow very smug while doing so. Critical thinking requires you avoid such masturbatory dead ends, and acknowledge that sometimes not everything is how it appears, and not every hard luck story fits neatly in a box. And just what point are you trying to make, exactly? Even as a rant, your post is pretty weak and unfocused.
Wow what a r****ded post.. sucks for the guy but its called personal responsibility. If he was making that kind of money he must of just blew it on crap and bought things he couldn't afford. He didnt plan for his retirement and we are suppose to feel sorry for him? Who's fault is that? Do you expect the rest of us to bail him out? Now there are people who really have bad luck but this guy isnt one of them. He wasnt responsible and blew his money away. I guess glynch just wants free money for everyone and just destroy this country.. pathetic pointless post from a far left liberal.
