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eBay replaces Social Security. Not so long ago we were barraged with the many distractions of the Republican Social Security "reform" privatization debacle, all of which sidestepped the real problem — a liveable income and reasonable medical coverage (FindLaw):

(AP) - SAN JOSE, Calif.-Selling items on eBay Inc.'s online auction site is a pastime for some people, but for Ellen Lee it's a matter of paying for some of life's necessities.

Ellen, 59, and her husband, Peter, 57, worked as a nurse practitioner and family physician, respectively, until they retired in the late 1990s, with the goal of slowing their hectic lives. But when they needed health insurance, Ellen's pre-existing medical condition prevented her from getting affordable coverage.

The couple was already selling some books on eBay when their accountant asked if there was some type of business they could start to qualify for affordable health insurance offered to small-business owners. They set up a business in June 2001 to more formally sell items on eBay.

The Lees are part of a contingent of eBay sellers 55 and older who retired or were laid off from traditional full-time jobs and now sell online for income. The company doesn't have statistics about the number of sellers who fit that description, but spokesman Hani Durzy said eBay is seeing more of them attend classes the company sponsors on how to sell items.

It's not America — it's a Garage Sale.®

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