MISSING OUT: Poor families face the reality of no tax rebate

The Grand Rapids Press ^ | Wednesday, June 04, 2003 | Ted Roelofs

[Susannah]

I am a full time student with a wife and two kids. I live on about that much. I'm baring my soul here folks so please understand my reluctance to share this. Not only do I get all my federal and state back during tax season, the child credits make it so that I get more back than I paid to begin with. No I won't be getting a rebate. But I am getting back more than I paid anyway. How could I ever complain?

I must congratulate you for being BOTH a student and a conservative!...the majority of students seem to be indoctrinated into socialistic liberalism. How could you complain?--Answer: by joining the majority of liberal students and instructors.

[hunter112]

Well, you've got a point as to the six kids, but plenty of "traditional" families whose adult heads post here, and you'd get in severe trouble with them if you suggest they limited to 3 or 4. It's possible the kids all had one or two fathers, maybe there's some abandonment or death in this situation.

I stand by my comment on working. An awful lot of women in her situation have simply opted for the welfare route. At least these kids will have a role model of their primary parent modeling the dignity of work. I see your point on taking care of others kids, that was the purpose behind my point about child tax credits. Why should procreation be a tax-subsidized activity?

Sorry to hear about your illness, I send my best wishes for your day-to-day comfort. Surely, from your description, you have earned the right to some peace of mind during this trying time.

[MattAMiller]

There really are people who screw up too much to be saved. But that really has nothing to do with tax cuts because this women pays no taxes. Tax CUTS are not judged by what proportion goes to who, the tax SYSTEM is judged by what proportion is paid by who. Changes in taxes could either make the overall system less fair or more fair. It's not incumbant upon Republicans to hand out money to poor people just because they happen to think people who make more money are paying too much. This ought to be easy to understand.

[Capitalism2003]

Anyone who has six children while working minimum wage deserves to be in jail in my view.

[henderson field]

"...and a 30% tax cut for those making $15,000 or less!" Oh, heck, why don't we give them a 40% tax cut?

[henderson field]

Those who pay no taxes should get a 50% tax cut. No, make that 60%.

[supercat]

BTW, a 50% tax cut to somebody whose net tax was negative $2000 would change their net tax to negative $1000. I wonder if the Republicans could suggest that perhaps these people don't want a 'tax cut'?

[Republican Wildcat]

The person who wrote this has serious issues with reporting facts--it is difficult to cut taxes for people who aren't paying taxes!!! This article is a pathetic piece of propaganda.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

"The practice of using children as hostages to get money from people who work is leading us down the road to full-blown socialism at high speed"

Better than going down the road to hell for killing babies.

Just pass a law, and make it CLEAR, that once you are on welfare, NONE of your benefits will EVER increase by so much as a dime, no matter how many more kids you have. Murdering unborn babies is not an answer to ANY problem.

[Bommer]

A women wit 6 kids and a broke down van by the river. Man dats puthetic! Hey Brandeen! I told you the hole in duh condum trick would pay off! Now we is gettin a check fer each of our kids from different mommas and daddys! Where's Tifffany, Heather, Cody, Dylan, Dermot, Jordan,Taylor, Brittney, Wesley, Rumour, Scout, Cassidy, Zoe, Chloe, Max, Hunter, Kendall, Kaitlin, Noah, Sasha, Morgan, Kyra, Ian, Lauren, Q-Bert, Bill? Tell em Duh gubberment handin out welfare checks again!

[txdoda]

What is so hard to understand about a tax cut cutting the taxes of those who pay them not being a hand-out to those who don't pay taxes? >>>>>>

Twenty-six with 6 kids.....YIKES.....and as usual she too, has a *sad* story, and needs MORE MONEY. I notice she doesn't mention she (and SIX kids) probably qualify for "earned income credit" EVERY YEAR. So on 15k per year, she pays NO TAXES, but ALWAYS gets a refund. Plus she's getting free housing, and no doubt food stamps, free healthcare, and most utility Co's offer help for elderly, or when kids are involved.

As usual these sob stories never include ANY info on Dad (or Dad's) or any mention of CHILD SUPPORT. So looks like it's left to the taxpayers to support her SIX kids. Hopefully someone will donate lot's of birth control her way, cause she's young enough to bring at least SIX MORE kids into her shabby world, but I sure hope NOT.

[txdoda]

I'm still trying to figure out why I won't get a credit for
my 17 year old son.... >>>>>>>

Me too......seems gov't (IRS) snuck in somewhere and decided that a 17 year old was not a "child" anymore......but don't let him get caught with a cigarette (yuk!) because gov't has hefty fines for a 17 year old "minor" in possession of tobacco. A 17 year old *child* cannot enlist without parents permission.

Then when your an *adult* (age 18) you MUST (by law) register with selective service. An adult (age 18) may now register to vote. Then back to 17, you CAN BE charged as an adult, if the crime is serious enough. Parents can also be sued for damages occured by their 17 yr. old "child".

SHEEESH....our gov't is sooooo screwed up....half of their own depts. say a 17 yr. old is an *adult*, and the other half claim he's still a kid........go figure

[Jorge]

Those who pay no taxes should get a 50% tax cut. No, make that 60%.

LOL!

[Uncle Sausage]

Let's not forget that in just a few years her offspring will begin producing another generation of welfare recipients.

[FITZ]

She quit her job to keep an eye on him, and now earns money making clothing and doing alterations out of her home.

No ---she isn't at least working ---she quit working to be a stay at home mom, it looks like she doesn't have income from working but wants her "fair share" of the tax refund.

It's sad to see that even Republicans are considering giving those who didn't pay tax in the first place some free money. This isn't a poor working woman --- and I wonder how many of the fathers ever paid their child support.

[FITZ]

I thought people making $15K/year were ineligible for most of the handouts available to those making $0/year. Does anyone have specifics?

The article mentions the federal government paying for her rent, at $15,000 with 6 kids, you're going to get a huge stack of food stamps and I believe you easily qualify for WIC. 6 kids will get you food stamps even if you have close to $40,000 a year income. Plus her job is working out of her house making clothing and doing alterations ---how much need is there in that? You still get Medicaid at that low an income. The article is trying to portray her as a working poor but it does admit she quit her nurse's aide job to be a stay-at-home mother ---she used the excuse her son was getting into trouble.

[dpa5923]

I am willing to bet with the Child Income Credit, we pay her.

[finnman69]

With six children to look after, a broken-down van and an annual income of about $15,000

She sounds likea religious honest overwhelmed woman. But what was she thinking having 6 kids on 15,000 a year. To her $400 a child is welfare plain and simple.

[FITZ]

many reasons why I'm absolutely 100% pro-choice and in favor of public funding of abortions.

I'm not ----he choices should be before the conception ----she could choose to keep her legs together once in a while or use some form of birth control. If she can't afford kids, then her other choice would be to put them up for adoption so that there would be some chance of them learning responsibility and how to hold onto a job. How does a 26 year old with so many small children even find the time to be out man-hunting? She apparently has the time and money for "dating" but can't manage to work because then she needs to watch her children.

[FITZ]

Here are Michigans income elibility limits for Food Stamps ---which would likely be the same for CHIP/Medicaid, WIC and many of the other welfare programs.

http://www.lsnm.org/foodstamps.html