Posted on 07/27/2003 5:21:22 PM PDT by Kudsman
Some Parents Question Wisdom of Tax Cuts
By DAVID CRARY For millions of middle-class families, the check is in the mail _ $400, $800, perhaps more _ courtesy of Congress. Parents benefiting from the expanded child tax credit will welcome the cash, but some question the wisdom of such payouts at a time of deficits and cutbacks.
"I'd rather have the public services and the public schools have the money they need," said Jean Powers, 41, a mother of two from Beaverton, Ore. "I'm not happy with it."
Even more displeased are some of the low-income parents not receiving the checks _ notably those who earn less than roughly $26,000 and are excluded from the credit because they don't pay enough federal income tax.
"I'm very angry," said Linda Hayes, 40, an office manager in Grand Rapids, Mich. A single mother, she supports a 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter on a $23,000 salary.
"I'm tired of working hard and still not being able to provide properly for my children," she said. "I'm tired of having to choose canned vegetables instead of fresh ones. I feel I don't count, my kids don't count."
She said some better-off families might simply invest their payments; she would have used hers to get car repairs and corrective lens for her son, who lacks medical insurance.
The first round of rebate checks for the child tax credit were mailed out Friday, aimed primarily at families earning $26,000 to $110,000 with children under 17. Worth up to $400 per child, the checks are the result of a tax cut enacted in May.
"I'm happy to get money in the summer because money is tight," said Tom Franke, a high school teacher, swim coach and father of two from Maple Grove, Minn. But he questioned whether the credit made sense as the federal deficit grows.
"The government is cutting our funding to our schools, and that makes me a little bit nervous. We needed extra money to fund our war," he said. "There are better ways to spend this money."
Randi Born of Plymouth, Minn., said the checks will be welcome at a time when her two teenage sons are preparing to return to school
"It is just kind of like a little gift," said Born. "If I was good person I would donate it. But maybe what the government wants me to do is to spend it and stimulate the economy."
The rebate checks are to be mailed by Aug. 8 to more than 25 million taxpayers. Critics contend the program should be extended to 7 million more low-income households with about 12 million children.
Melinda Dutton, director of policy at the New York branch of the Children's Defense Fund, said the economic stimulus would be greater if the House of Representatives dropped its opposition to including those poor families.
"Nobody is more likely to put it right into the economy than low-income working families." she said. "They are struggling to pay for child care, rent, groceries."
That argument resonated with Anna Connor, a mother of two from Albany, N.Y.
"It's not going to make a big difference for me," she said of her expected check. "I feel bad for the people who need it and aren't going to get it."
"There are better ways to stimulate the economy," agreed Eileen Holand, a real estate agent and mother of three from New Richmond, Wis.
Joan Medlen of Portland, Ore., who has two children, was pleased to hear about the payment.
But with a teenager suffering from Down syndrome and autism, the money won't go far, Medlen said. Unlike some states, Oregon doesn't provide financial assistance to middle-class families that have children with disabilities.
"We put out significant money for skilled care for our child," she said. "Eight-hundred dollars, while helpful, doesn't even make a dent."
Curt Roseman, 32, of Cary, N.C., said the check for his two children would likely go into their college savings plan, not for a shopping spree.
"Not until I see the economy turn around a little more," said Roseman, a utility company employee. "Until people see unemployment rates go down, they're not going to spend discretionary cash."
Paul Lynch, 54, a parks worker in Cincinnati, said his check will go toward his 13-year-old son's tuition at a parochial school.
"It's useful," he said. "As far as stimulating the economy, I don't think so. They (Washington) have tried everything, and nothing seems to work."
But Toby Placencia, 45, of Vancouver, Wash., had no complaints and no quibbling. "Any time the government doesn't take more money, it's a good idea," he said.
"It's not going to make a big difference for me," she said of her expected check. "I feel bad for the people who need it and aren't going to get it."
Aw come on lady it wasn't taken from their taxable income to begin with. And spare me the "they paid gas, cigs, sales etc. tax crap. So did I and that is not what is being refunded. No income tax liability means you paid nothing so you get nothing back from nothing. To get something back from giving nothing is pure redistribution. We already enjoy giving the poor redistributed money through EIC.
Where's daddy? I would rather he (and her) support their offspring than expect me to do it.
Shut up, lady. I'd rather have the money in my pocket.
Courtesy of Congress? How did they earn it?
This communist is free to donate her rebate to the schools. Has she done this? Why didn't the interviewer ask her if she planned to do this?
"I'm very angry," said Linda Hayes, 40, an office manager in Grand Rapids, Mich. A single mother, she supports a 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter on a $23,000 salary.
"I'm tired of working hard and still not being able to provide properly for my children," she said. "I'm tired of having to choose canned vegetables instead of fresh ones. I feel I don't count, my kids don't count."
Where's the father? Maybe if she can't provide properly for her children she should put them up for adoption. Maybe she should have thought about this before she decided to get jiggy with it and conceive two human beings.
It's not going to make a big difference for me," she said of her expected check. "I feel bad for the people who need it and aren't going to get it."
Well, why doesn't he donate this money to a needy family or to a shelter? Was wasn't he asked this in the interview?
"There are better ways to stimulate the economy," agreed Eileen Holand, a real estate agent and mother of three from New Richmond, Wis.
Either the article omitted Eileen Holand's economics degrees from college or Mrs Holand doesn't have any, thus her opinion on what will stimulate the economy doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
Curt Roseman, 32, of Cary, N.C., said the check for his two children would likely go into their college savings plan, not for a shopping spree.
Putting the money into college savings plans will invest it in funds which will result in some company or institution, somewhere, being able to expand its business, thus hiring people.
"It's useful," he said. "As far as stimulating the economy, I don't think so. They (Washington) have tried everything, and nothing seems to work."
This is part of the failing of relying on the liberal news media for his information. Washington has not tried CUTTING THE M*THERF***ING GOVERNMENT SPENDING BY A SINGLE PENNY.
Hey it takes a lot of effort to have the power of lethal force (guns) behind you to seize money from the law-abiding citizenry. Oh...wait, that's STEALING, not earning. Sorry, my bad.
Public schools are funded locally. Guess she should have attended more.
Sales and property taxes are a local issue if you want a rebate for that try hitting up your locally elected officials and good luck.
As for me I am pissed that I don't get more money back. After all which Congress man worked 3 jobs to earn the right to give me MY money back!
1) It's MY damn money.
2) Mine is paying off $400 of daycare I already owe, a new pair of work pants, and my colonoscopy. Just because you have too much money doesn't mean the rest of us want to give it back.
3) Nobody cares if you don't want your money...YOU send it back.
4) And if you don't earn enough to pay in the first place, then you are just asking for my money back! Jeez!
If only is right! Schools have enjoyed funding increases at well over the rate of inflation for several years. Where is the money going??????????
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