Problem solved

[Opa Opa]

Man that's just horrible. I can't imagine why anyone would do such a thing.... I'd never take another person's stuff. Especially stuff they collect. That's kinda like ripping out their heart and stomping on it.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Hatta]

Wait a second, where did you pull that from? I see NO indication in his posts that his mom is pawning stuff because of medical bills.

Seems like a reasonable inference from the information we have. Even if the money isn't going directly to medical bills, cash is fungible so it doesn't really matter. Anyways, note that I didn't ask anyone to vote any particular way, just to remember his experiences when he makes his decision. I don't see how that can be objectionable.

[MrPopo]

Wait a second, where did you pull that from? I see NO indication in his posts that his mom is pawning stuff because of medical bills.

Seems like a reasonable inference from the information we have. Even if the money isn't going directly to medical bills, cash is fungible so it doesn't really matter. Anyways, note that I didn't ask anyone to vote any particular way, just to remember his experiences when he makes his decision. I don't see how that can be objectionable.

That's how I interpreted your inference: the medical costs where high so now she doesn't have much money. And what I'm saying is there really isn't anything in that story to support that inference. Recently diagnosed isn't a well defined timeframe, and the mother only is short on cash some of the time. And are you really going to claim that your post DIDN'T ask him to vote in a particular way?

[Zerodash]

I don't see how that can be objectionable.

Because its politicizing a topic that doesn't need that element.


As for the situation mluitjens1031 is in, one thing I have seen in all my advancing years is that parents often have one child who is the "chosen" one and will do anything to please them- even if it means being unfair to their other children. This situation will likely never change, and your brother will be the favorite for the rest of your moms life.

It will not matter how responsible or successful in life you end up being by comparison- the favorite child will always "win". I've seen many people spend decades trying to compete with favored siblings for their parent's love in vain. I advise you accept that your brother will always be favored at your expense and move on emotionally. You can still have good relations with your family, but will find more peace of mind accepting this.

[Hatta]

And are you really going to claim that your post DIDN'T ask him to vote in a particular way?

I asked him to vote based on his experience. How his experience affects his vote is up to him.

Because its politicizing a topic that doesn't need that element.

All topics are political to some extent. Policy affects peoples lives. When someone is suffering due to policy, it's not off topic to point that out. I will admit that I only inferred that that was the case, but it's a reasonable inference. People with good insurance don't generally have to steal from their kids.

[ejamer]

Wow. Sorry to hear this story, man. At first I was thinking that you were angry because your younger brother walked off with an expensive game or didn't treat your stuff with respect. But your mom taking stuff like that? Messed up.

Be glad that you have an alternate storage location available, and that you'll be out of the house soon. Sometimes it's nice to have a little space of your own.

[dedalusdedalus]

I really have to say that you responded very maturely to your mother's rather immature behavior. Moving your prized video games beyond her reach is probably the least damaging solution to your living situation.

While it sounds great, it's really not a good idea to retaliate by selling her possessions. As much as your mother is in the wrong, she's holding all the cards here--the fact is that you're living in her house.

[eskil]

Obviously, your brother's condition has seriously affected your mother's rationality and judgement skills. Nevertheless, what she did was without a doubt a criminal act.
All you can really do is try to explain the situation to her (maybe even suggest therapy), hide away your games and count down the days until you move out.
My sympathies, you're in a tricky spot.

[skyknight]

I may not be a legal expert, but I do think your mom did cross several lines, as she disregard your own privacy and took away your properties without your consent. Almost like parents stealing their children's medicine to sell off to druggies.

She should not use the excuse of you living under her care as a pretext, even with the US labors that I know, a parent can't claim the wages that a child makes as their own. If you bought everything with your own money, you are entitled to own them, not your mother.

I do think you should have a serious talk about this with someone if this continues to worsen, i.e. if she threatens to kick you out and claim everything you own. Hopefully, this can be settled in a peaceful manner.

[MrEco]

Quite simply, your mom sounds like a bitch. I know how you feel.