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Local News

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Thanks, but no thanks to stimulus check
By Joel Sensenig

FOR THE COURIER

Ever written the words "national debt" on the memo line of a personal check?

Larry Manley has.

Ever received $250 you were completely entitled to and promptly returned it?

Again, Larry Manley has.

As was the case with many senior citizens, Manley's bank account received a $250 deposit last week from the Social Security Administration.

The one-time payments were meant to be for "economic recovery" purposes, to be spent on whatever needs the recipient may have, according to the www.socialsecurity.gov Web site.

As was likely not the case with most of his peers, the 73-year-old Findlay resident — former owner of several nursing homes including Fostoria's Independence House until his retirement two years ago — decided he did not need nor want the money.

This week he wrote a letter in response to the man living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, along with a check for $250 made out to the Internal Revenue Service.



"Dear President Obama,



On May 14, 2009 my bank received a $250.00 deposit from SSA. I did not request this money., I do not need this money, I do not want this money knowing full well that my children, grandchildren, ye even my great grandchildren will be forced to pay interest on this money.



Unlike the federal congress neither my integrity nor vote is for sale. Enclosed is my check for $250.00 which I ask that you use to reduce the federal deficit by a like amount.



Sincerely,

Larry D. Manley"



For Manley, the decision to not accept the money was an easy one.

"After 40 years in the nursing home industry, I'm really sensitive to the lifestyles of the elderly," he said. "Now I'm on a fixed income because I'm retired. My fixed income is what I've got in the bank."

Although the one-time $250 payment would be adding a small amount to that fixed income, Manley said he wasn't comfortable with the impact such decisions have on future generations.

"It would be different if it was a refund of a surplus," Manley said, shaking his head.

At the time this article was written, the U.S. national debt was in the neighborhood of $11.2 trillion.

"We've borrowed all this money and have no plan of how we're going to pay it back," Manley said.

"The World War II generation made a middle class the world never seen before. My generation expected an even better life. That's not true for my grandchildren," Manley, who considers himself a Libertarian, said.

And while he has no illusions of hearing anything back from President Obama, Manley said it was just something he knew he had to do.

"It was just a crazy idea I had," he said.

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10 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
bwsaloum wrote:
Yup... Congress
“ Brian, thank you for validating my argument! Ive been saying for years that Congress has done more harm than good, when it comes to the oversight of monies that we all pay into the system. At one time Social Security was in its own lock box, and in a matter of decades it has gone from being sustainable to a pay as you go shell game. Sad part of it is, only members of the greatest generation have the best chance of recovering any of their contributions; everybody else its a crap shoot.
I truly admire Mr. Manleys sense of ethics and morals because he could have just as easily kept the money and used it for something whimsical. I find it even more depressing that people view his honor as an oddity, rather than the norm, because its basically a foregone conclusion that people will always take the easier way out, instead of doing the right thing.
If it were up to me, little perks like congressional immunity, gratuities from lobbyists, tax payer funded transportation, the ability to transition from a congressional position into a lobbying firm (or defense contractor), etc., should be stripped. If criminal charges are filed against them, they should be placed on administrative leave until the case comes to fruition. If they are found guilty, they should be thrown out of office. I would even be for applying the same codes of conduct to state, county and city government as there appears to be no effective oversight other than voting them out of office.
 ”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 5:27:43 PM
Brian Whitta wrote:
Fascinating
“ It is fascinating to me that some can turn this into not "supporting the President."

I feel horrible for anyone who has to live paycheck to paycheck, regardless of their age, but if one does not need the mere pittance offered by the federal government to our senior citizens, then kudos for returning the money.

The government is now spending as fast as cash can be printed and any feelings of apprehension about that fact has little, if anything, to do with the man in the oval office.

My own "finger of blame" is and has been aimed squarely at the Congress. ”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:07:06 AM
Mike wrote:
To Joe
“ You miss the whole point here....If Mr. Manley simply passed the money along elsewhere, how would he have been able to make his point to the President? He wasn't being the least bit arrogant, just a taxpaying American that wanted his leaders to know where he stood on the subject. Do you think they'll consider this part of your SSI income next year? If they do, why not return it and not be taxed on it, if that is what they have in mind. I think he did the right thing, not all seniors can do that, which is fine, but there's nothing wrong with those that aren't in such need doing what he did. ”
Sunday, May 24, 2009 8:32:12 AM
Joe wrote:
Thanks but no thanks
“ While it is fine that Manley is taking action for something he believes in, he needs to get his priorities straight. For lots of elderly people, $250 can pay rent and really take a burden off their taxes. Just because Manley is doing fine without this added money does not mean that everyone else is. It seems to me that he could have donated the money to someone or a group that truly needed this money rather than pulling an arrogant move like this. ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 11:20:17 PM
Megan Gery wrote:
greatest generation
“ I love this story. What principles! If only we had more like him. Just more proof about the "greatest generation." ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:29:22 PM
Dan wrote:
Thanks, but no thanks to stimulus check
“ Hats off to Mr. Manley. People need to realize these so called "stimulus" checks are our tax dollars paid plus it continues to add to the national debt.

Seems like our national leaders want to become "likeable" people, or feel that we owe them, by giving out money that isn't theirs in the first place. ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 10:35:03 AM
Barb wrote:
Stimulus Check payment returned
“ It's great if Mr. Manley does not need, nor want the money. He should return it; however, I wish he would have mailed it to my mother. The $250 stimulus check will now allow her to pay her rent and (maybe) buy her medications. There are many, many seniors who live month-to-month. Let's hope President Obama can ease the burden on our seniors as well as contend with the other huge problems he has to face. Whatever happened to supporting our president??? ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:25:07 AM
Virginia Long wrote:
Thanks,but no thanks
“ GOOD GOOD! Most of us need
some "extra" and could use this.
They are using the money WE
put into SS. for other things.

 ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:24:18 AM
dh wrote:
Stimulus
“ Courier makes an issue of this. Typical-editorial against stimulus and earmarks, but many local agencies accepted them. Why not an editorial condemning these agencies? Sounds political and hypocritical to me. ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 7:37:55 AM
rjh wrote:
no thanks
“ Way to go Mr. Manley! What a fantastic example you have set. Thank you for your insight into the future that will affect our children and grandchildren. It may just be a drop in the bucket, but if everyone placed a drop in, soon the bucket would be full. ”
Saturday, May 23, 2009 7:23:00 AM
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Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

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The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.