Some Parents Question Wisdom of Tax Cuts

The Citizen ^ | 7-27-03 | DAVID CRARY-AP

[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.

[Kudsman]

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."

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.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

This is how long it took scrape up the 10 or so people who will find a way to say a rose is ugly. How many months now?

[Timmy]

"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.

Where's daddy? I would rather he (and her) support their offspring than expect me to do it.

[admiralsn]

"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.

Shut up, lady. I'd rather have the money in my pocket.

[McGavin999]

Give them their EIC checks early. Of course, they'll get a bit of a surprise when they file their zero due taxes and don't get their customary check for $1500 to $2000, but that's the breaks. They say they want it now.

[meow]

They don't want their money? Send it to me.

[suzyq5558]

boy you got that right bout the EIC.
when i get mine next week ive got most of it spent and happily i might add on my kids,school clothes and a swimming pool so take that you gripers and whiners.bet you spend it all the same.
if you feel bad bout your money being given back to you give to the mission or to your poor nieghbor but shut up with the griping.
i dont feel bad one itty bitty bit so there.

[TankerKC]

For millions of middle-class families, the check is in the mail _ $400, $800, perhaps more _ courtesy of Congress.

Courtesy of Congress? How did they earn it?

[Arkinsaw]

Joseph Blow of Schenectady, NY reports that he is very dissatisfied with his $800 check. "I think it shoulda been 800 million. What is this country coming too?"

Ima Weezler of Canton, OH is also most distressed about not getting a check. "I have no children and haven't worked for years. Its not fair that I don't get $400 of somebody elses refunds. Its not my fault I don't have a taxable income and no children!".

Matt Jones feels that he is being discriminated against because he is only 10 years old. "My parents got a refund but I got nothing. The least they could do would be to estimate my future earnings and assume I will have an average number of children sometime in the future and go ahead and rebate that amount. I want a new bike and some Pokemon cards so they could just send those to me instead if thats easier."

Ben Wynan of Miami, FL thinks the government has a long way to go. First, they need to rebate every man woman and child in the country enough money to live on. Then they need to establish a minimum wage where we can all live in luxury. Enough of this raising it a piddling 50 cents an hour, why an inch instead of a mile? Everyone in this country deserves a good education as well. Free college for everyone is the only acceptable policy. There are a lot more things I am for also." When Ben gets his free college scholarship he intends to take an Economics 101 course at his local community college. He plans on using government provided medical care to have his feet removed so he can qualify for disability payments. "I figure that I will use my non-payers tax refund to buy me some Bubble-Up and Rainbow Stew. I've heard a lot about those and want to try me some."

[xrp]

"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."

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.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Had to stop reading this tripe when I got to the part where she said we are cutting funding to schools. Huh? If only.......

[meyer]

Is it time to renew the "tax me more" campaign?

[xrp]

Courtesy of Congress? How did they earn it?

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.

[Newbomb Turk]

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.

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!

[Newbomb Turk]

How about a tax on stupidity. Then we could hit more people like the ones who complained they are not getting a rebate on money they never paid.

[50sDad]

Dear Liberal Morons:

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!

[bfree]

If they don't want it, they can always send the checks back. If they think the tax rates are too low, they can always send more dollars in to the IRS.

[meyer]

Had to stop reading this tripe when I got to the part where she said we are cutting funding to schools. Huh? If only.......

If only is right! Schools have enjoyed funding increases at well over the rate of inflation for several years. Where is the money going??????????

[Old Sarge]

Dammitboy, but Ilike the way you think!

[leprechaun9]

"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."

Hey DUMBO, no one is forcing you to accept the tax cut. Just send your check back to the government!

[austingirl]

I'd like to hear one coservative commentor say, when the leftists complain that the lower income folk pay social security and medicare tax, that SO DO WE, in addition to the confiscatory federal taxes those "poor" people escape.

[gulfcoast6]

NO PROBLEM! Let them send theirs back to the government.

[Kudsman]

So true. It should read "courtesy of all that have greater than zero tax liability. Thanks for sounding off. :-)

[Kudsman]

GIWIST. Great summation in that last sentence. Thanks.

[Noumenon]

Parents ought to question of what's being taught in the public schools their tax dollars finance. If a sufficient numbe rof parents ever managed to connect the dots, every NEA officer and flack would be swinging from a rope.

[Kudsman]

Had to stop reading this tripe when I got to the part where she said we are cutting funding to schools. Huh?

Come on didn't you know that repeating lying liberal talking points counts as man on the street testimony these days. Hey if no one is saying what you want do the Jayson Blair thing and just tell them what to say. Presto. News a la Leftist style. Good catch.

[Mfkmmof4]

Exactly. Tom Daschle would like to think he made the money and is only giving us a loan.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Some Parents Question Wisdom of Tax Cuts

Some parents are idiots.

[Kudsman]

Some parents are idiots.

ROTFLMAO. Indeed and still others are leftists. THX.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Hmmm. Send the whole thing back then you lying bi--h.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I've added a correction in order to make this article accurate:

"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"

[undeniable logic]

I want to see a statistic of what percentage of the checks that were mailed out were cashed or deposited... It's amazing that this journalist couldn't find one person that got it who wanted it. I wish the journalist asked these people if they were going to deposit it or send it back.

BTW, I am not getting the check. I am a masters student so am earning almost nothing and do not have any children yet. I am just sick of those who don't pay taxes asking for "tax cuts" and those who do pay taxes and get tax cuts complaining. If you believe in higher taxes, this is a free country - I don't think the IRS will be upset if you send them a donation. Taxes are voluntary right?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

That's about right.

[wafflehouse]

EXACTLY
very well said.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Very well said!

[meyer]

I'd like to hear one coservative commentor say, when the leftists complain that the lower income folk pay social security and medicare tax, that SO DO WE, in addition to the confiscatory federal taxes those "poor" people escape.

I think that another good answer to the "social security and medicare tax" issue is to recommend that these two programs be made voluntary instead of mandatory. The libs may have to think for a while, but they'll eventually decide that forced programs are more to their liking.

[Consort]

Some Parents Question Wisdom of Tax Cuts

Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge. How can one question wisdom?

[StriperSniper]

But maybe what the government wants me to do

Who cares what they want lady, what are you, a SLAVE?!?!

(Oh, that's right you're leftist, YOU ARE!)

[Damagro]

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.

---

Correction- They don't pay any income tax

[steplock]

FREEP!

Here's the link for Letter to the Editor

Freeps R Fun! :>)

[SuziQ]

"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."

What an idiot!She could take the money, buy some educational materials with it, teach her own kids (even after school cause they're probably gonna need it no matter HOW much money the school gets) and use the rest to do for herself and her family!

[Vesuvian]

Bravo! You should send that in to a newspaper as a letter to the editor. Maybe it will wake some of the sheeple out of their stupor.

[Mr.Clark]

It's posts like this that scare me. Look how readily people are to just trust their money to the government like the good slaves they are. Please, I'm too stupid to spend it, give it to someone else oh all knowing welfare state!

[Kudsman]

excluded from the credit because they don't pay enough federal income tax"

LOL. Thx for the correction. I knew I could count on some FRiends to accurately dissect the PC and enlightened adjectives and adverbs that the Libs like to use as qualifiers to fit the message of the agenda.

What Libs really mean to say is they (the ever beneficent,bleeding heart,nothing is fair till we all feel equal pain, courtesy of the government crowd) will be the ones to say who pays enough!! How dare the citizenry have a say in what is fair taxation for fair representation!!! What are you going to do? Have a Tea Party for crying out loud. [/sarcasm]

BTW it is my opinion that alot of Representatives ain't been representing Americans a whole lot lately. We are getting pretty tangled up with the UN and UNESCO again. :-(

[edsheppa]

Hey, thanks for the laughs!

[Kudsman]

Have you been hanging around unspun again? You are starting to communicate alike. :-))

[Kudsman]

I hear ya. Now make sure the neighbors do please. Thanks.

[Kudsman]

I've got another one that I can't seem to find a URL for online. Its hardcopy in my local Sunday paper but I've searched for story, Author, AP wire, Washington Post online and have come up empty. Its a feel good article with this quip. A gay rights advocacy group hailed the nuptials notice in the Post as the first announcement of a legally recognized married same sex couple in a major US newspaper. The announcement appeared in Wednesday's "Engagement,Weddings and Anniversaries" section.

I wish I could find the article. If anyone can help I would appreciate your assistance in sharing it with our Freepers. The author is Jennifer C. Kerr and it is AP wire.

[Republican Wildcat]

"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."

An obvious product of the public school system. No concept of basic economics or public policy. Hey, lady. If you don't want the money: DONATE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. Good grief. Patheticly stupid.

[Republican Wildcat]

It's amazing how ignorant those people are, and also the ignorance of this so-called newsreporter who wrote this piece of garbage. No concept whatsoever of basic economics and public policy.