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

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

[FourPeas]

Don't forget that for violence committed with firearms, the category of "child" goes to at least 21.

[Gritty]

"It hurts, but when you've been poor as long as I've been, you just deal with it," Palmer said. "What do you have to do to get on top?"

With six kids and being a "single" mother, it sounds like the only ones getting on top are her numerous boyfriends.

But seriously, to get "on top" is not magic. You just have to make the "right" choices. But, that's a hard thing to do if all you are looking for is today's self-gratification.

It sounds as if this whiner has been making the "wrong" choices for a long time and is now reaping what she has sown. Now she wants some of our money to compensate her for her ongoing foolishness! Naturally, the Democrats and a number of stupid Republicans will stumble over themselves to oblige giving her what she wants.

[Smedley]

The 2003 Tax Estimator

A single parent of 6 has a ZERO tax rate under the Bush plan.

[riri]

This woman, who has no business having six children BTW, probably does not differentiate between deductions that are taken for Federal taxes, state taxes, social security, medicare, etc. All she probably sees is that when she does the math at the end of the week, what she receives is less than what her hourly wage times 40 is. Therefore, she thinks she is paying tax and should get this refund or credit.

[txdoda]

Don't forget that for violence committed with firearms, the category of "child" goes to at least 21.>>>>>>>

Yes, I know, I also forgot to post that your "child" cannot consume alcohol until he's an 'adult' of 21, and I'm sure I missed many more.

Bad enough gov't has created a never-ending mound of red tape/paperwork for 'grown-ups' to deal with, now they've decided to dump the same on our teens.

So is your 17 yr. old a 'child' or an 'adult'?.....don't ask any TWO gov't officials, cuz you're bound to get at least THREE different answers....

[Gone_Postal]

this is so sick These people PAY NO TAXES so they get none back.

Simple math nothing from nothing leaves nothing.

Had they payed into the tax system like I do then they would get a tax break,

[D1X1E]

I can tell you, this woman does not pay income tax at all. How do I know? My income was $20,000 per year with one child. I got back ALL I had paid in every year until my son turned 18. So, in effect, I did not pay income taxes. The treasury just held my money for a year. It is the same for this woman and with earned income credit thrown in, she actually gets back MORE than she pays in each year. I am so sick of the Dem's "tax cut for the rich" line I could scream! If a person doesnt pay taxes, there is nothing to cut. DUH! How hard is that to understand? On another note, where is the father(s) of these six kids while she is having such a hard time and expecting the government (read us) to help pay for raising them? Nevermind, that is a rant for another time. Excuse me while I go take an aspirin. :-)

[from occupied ga]

Maybe her husband ...

Sarcasm right? I maybe missed the reference in the article to a husband since it was so annoying that I sort of skimmed through it. Odds are that none of the chillun have the same father.

[D1X1E]

You have nothing to feel bad about. And as you pointed out, soon you will graduate and be paying more than your fair share of taxes, some of which will no doubt go to support people like miss 6 kids there in the article. Good luck to you and your family.

[MEGoody]

"The 26-year-old Grand Rapids resident also is among millions of working-poor families left out in the cold by the $350 billion tax cut signed in May by President Bush."

How does one give tax cuts to those who don't pay taxes? Oh, it's not a tax cut. It's a hand out.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

She pays ZERO

Actually, with the earned income tax credit for six kids, she pays much less than zero. I'll bet she steals 5 figures to the plus side. Any tax accountants out there want to add it up?

[MEGoody]

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

So you support murder? I see.

[MEGoody]

"No ---she isn't at least working."

Sure she is. She's just self-employed, starting a small business. (But no, she shouldn't get a 'tax cut' since she didn't pay any.)

[GovernmentShrinker]

Let me know when you come up with a way to get utterly irresponsible people to behave responsibly. In the meantime, we have to deal with the reality that they don't.

[Billthedrill]

Bush aides say the measure signed by the president May 28 is fair, because low-income families like that of Kalala Palmer pay no income tax.

This is so achingly typical that you couldn't credibly make it up - the writer obviously doesn't consider that that $400 is YOUR MONEY that YOU EARNED, not money that the government magically dispenses like candy from a parade float. This isn't rocket science.

[aShepard]

Interesting link at #50.

Go through the calc's, and a family with 2+kids get EITC up to a full time hourly wage of $15.45 per hour. That's $32 grand in wages. That's a very good wage! Ms Palmer at $15k gets $3600 per year. I could use an extra $300 per month!

Then you look up the tables for food stamps in Michigan at the link at #80, and Ms. Palmer is eligible to get food stamps up to a wage base of $38,700 per year.

Not bad, I'm beginning to feel less sorry for the "poor."

It takes a village, doncha know!

[Rebelbase]

"The dims will harp on this forever"

They are already complaining about it at a community message board where I hang out. I just posted a "why should someone be given a tax credit refund when they dont pay any tax to begin with" question, ill let you know if they try to defend it.

[Ga Rob]

" "What do you have to do to get on top?" "

With 6 kids at 26....sounds like being on TOP may be what got you in the mess you're in!!!!

[Constitutional Patriot]

She pays no taxes.

She gets no tax cut.

The left wing knows better. They are banking on the fact that their constituency is as ignorant as they ever were (you know...the ones that could't read a ballot designed for a person with a third grade reading level!?!?).

[Constitutional Patriot]

"it's got to be really miniscule."

Yeah...it comes out to $0.00