Free ride on CTA & Metra for seniors proposal (insurance, income)

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by LookinForMayberry

Considering how much we deny the elderly just for being old, I am not adverse to giving them a free ride. In fact, I believe that as our parents, grandparents, etc, we owe them free access to a basic level of food, shelter, and medical care, as well.

None of us would be where we are today, without them.

... not when they're making more than me per year and getting a free ride to boot, sorry!

and please tell me what is so wrong with having them pay 85 cents, which is something like a third of the full fare?

[JustJulia]

I don't know much about the bus system, so I can't say one way or another, but on the face of it, it does seem like low-income seniors should receive the free rides and those more able to pay could pay a reduced rate. (I'm not sure how much full bus fare is ... is it a lot?)

I'm just wondering: are low-income folks who are not seniors eligible for reduced fare as well? It seems to me that a big part of finding and keeping a job, and therefore getting oneself out of poverty, is to be able to get to and from your workplace. Then again, as I said, I don't know what bus fare is. I do know that my kids' school lunches are about $2.50 a day, and lower-income families can qualify for reduced or free meals. Helping poor people feed their kids seems on par with helping the parents get to work.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

... not when they're making more than me per year and getting a free ride to boot, sorry!

and please tell me what is so wrong with having them pay 85 cents, which is something like a third of the full fare?

And not when everyone else has to pay $3 a ride to cover a Blagojevich pander so blatant, most seniors were against it when he tried to implement it.

I can't believe its lasted this long.

[LookinForMayberry]

Originally Posted by brianjb

... that leaves it up to us individually to take care of our parents and/or those older than us in our family. That doesn't mean that the taxpayers need to pay for the elderly.

Totally WRONG. First, just because an older person is not in our family in NO WAY means they are less deserving of our regard and appreciation. None of us live in a vacuum where we are only benefiting from our family. The place we live, the schools we attended, the comforts and benefits throughout our lives are results of the efforts of those that have gone before us.

Furthermore, those of us that can continue to earn an income, whether from our work or our investments, have no understanding of how uncertain the lives with no income -- aside from possibly Social Security, which is in danger.

None of us know what another's situation is or was and are not in a position to judge whether or not another is worthy. If we deny others the benefits, we must be willing to deny ourselves, as well. Perhaps you know what your future holds, but I do not have omniscience and would like to think that if my income is stripped from me -- regardless of how or why, I could at least get a bus ride.

When did we become so self-aggrandizing, and so stingy?

[brianjb]

Originally Posted by LookinForMayberry

Totally WRONG. First, just because an older person is not in our family in NO WAY means they are less deserving of our regard and appreciation. None of us live in a vacuum where we are only benefiting from our family. The place we live, the schools we attended, the comforts and benefits throughout our lives are results of the efforts of those that have gone before us.

Furthermore, those of us that can continue to earn an income, whether from our work or our investments, have no understanding of how uncertain the lives with no income -- aside from possibly Social Security, which is in danger.

None of us know what another's situation is or was and are not in a position to judge whether or not another is worthy. If we deny others the benefits, we must be willing to deny ourselves, as well. Perhaps you know what your future holds, but I do not have omniscience and would like to think that if my income is stripped from me -- regardless of how or why, I could at least get a bus ride.

When did we become so self-aggrandizing, and so stingy?

I may not have expressed myself correctly. I did not mean to imply that people that aren't related to us are just SOL.

I don't think we need to deny benefits, but rather than being 100% free I think there should be some sort of "sliding scale". Once approved into the program, they will either get it free or reduced depending on income. None of us would be the wiser since the card would look the same. I think they need to apply for it like they would any other government program like foodstamps, etc.

[Irishtom29]

Old people should pay full fare. I'm in favor of low income old people getting a break but not old people in general.

Younger low income people don't need a break on fares, they can go out and work a second job if they need more dough. But the old-timer hasn't the options the younger have so if they're low on scratch give them a break.

[scarletneon]

Quinn indicates support for ending free rides for all seniors - Chicago Breaking News (http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/10/quinn-indicates-support-for-ending-free-rides-for-all-seniors.html - broken link)

Looks like Quinn may have some sense after all.
Maybe.

[soulful]

supernerdgirl. Thanks for posting the above re. Quinn. He isn't one of my favorites, however, he seems to be using common sense on this one.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by soulful

...he seems to be using common sense on this one.

Yeah well that is because the primary election is coming in February.
Don't fear. If he is elected he will find many ways to jack up taxes and fees.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by soulful

Seniors already received a substantial discount on rides. I am in favor of free rides only for low income seniors.

Curious how others feel.

I agree. There are plenty of seniors out there who have plenty of money. Why do they need a free ride? If we're going to give free rides to some, it should at least be means-tested. The way it is now, a senior citizen could have a million dollars in the bank and still ride free (which is subsidized by the rest of us), only because he/she has managed to keep breathing longer than most folks.