Has the economy affected you and your tractors?

[_RaT_]

Saved from a rant by jet lag

It's all relative. I would rather donate a book to the library than pay taxes to support military adventurism for the benefit of some corporation - for example.

As to welfare, if it results in children getting the nutrition they need for a healthy mind and body, I prefer that to the alternatives -which btw cost more. Or, how about a woman with or without children escaping an abusive partner? How about a family made destitute by huge medical bills or an out-sourced job? There are many situations people can find themselves in that aren't the stereotyped deadbeat.

The welfare should be reasonable and a bridge to a return to financial soundness with clear expectations. I think that is where welfare often fails and consequently people resent paying for it. I don't think people resent offering a helping hand where needed. The coins and bills in the collection jars at stores are a testament to that - not to be confused with the health care plan envisioned by some
Dave.

My wife works in welfare fraud here in California. Everyone wants the needy taken care of, there is no question about it. The mechanism of welfare is so broken its deplorable. We can all come up with stories or situations as you illustrated. We can or at least I can give you more stories of fraud that takes place and how. Here in CA we don't begin to even look at a case of welfare fraud until it hits $10,000. Lets just say that we all want the needy, the truly helpless needy taken care of and that the overall system needs severe revamping. Believe me, it really does here in California. I want welfare as a hand up and not a perpetual hand out. It is the latter in most of the US in my opinion. There are also many programs that get kids nutrition beyond welfare.

 

[MikePA]

The helpless need help, the clueless do not.

 

[dave1949]

Mike, is that what you call it. :thumbsup: My CER is pinging me all the time. I'm finding those on the left are more inclined to set it off.

Tch, Tch. It may suit your philosophy to make this about me and not the tax code. That doesn't alter the facts W. Buffet was pointing out.

'benefits the wealthy' is simply an expression which has some validity since a certain level of wealth is needed typically before anyone will earn significant investment income. I would suggest turning down the sensitivity on your radar
Dave.

 

[dave1949]

My wife works in welfare fraud here in California. Everyone wants the needy taken care of, there is no question about it. The mechanism of welfare is so broken its deplorable. We can all come up with stories or situations as you illustrated. We can or at least I can give you more stories of fraud that takes place and how. Here in CA we don't begin to even look at a case of welfare fraud until it hits $10,000. Lets just say that we all want the needy, the truly helpless needy taken care of and that the overall system needs severe revamping. Believe me, it really does here in California. I want welfare as a hand up and not a perpetual hand out. It is the latter in most of the US in my opinion. There are also many programs that get kids nutrition beyond welfare.

I guess that's where the roll-up-the-sleeves real work begins. It isn't enough to just point out the system needs revamping, real solutions are required. No?

Any program, private or public, that feeds children, as opposed to Mom and Dad, is a form of welfare.
Dave.

 

[MikePA]

'benefits the wealthy' is simply an expression...

No, it's not simply an expression. It's an emotional catch phrase designed to stir up emotions, i.e., class envy.

...a certain level of wealth is needed typically before anyone will earn significant investment income.

Millions of middle class people receive investment income. 'Significant' is a waffle word designed to hide the fact that when taxes are raised on investment income not just the 'wealthy' are impacted.

 

[FatTractor94]

i only buy lego ones

 

[keegs]

MikePA,

The global economic downturn was due to in large measure to irresponsible banking practices and a failure of oversight by banking regulators here an abroad.

Some of the result here in the US has been a rapid decline in GDP, an increase in unemployment, foreclosure rates and bankruptcies, a reduction in federal and state revenue, an increase in federal deficits and budget crises at the state and local levels.

I don't think anyone would disagree that folks who abuse the welfare system should be prosecuted or in some way forced to pay restitution to the state. But for the life of me I don't know what welfare cheats have to do with the economic downturn.

 

[Mousefield]

Up our way we are not suppose to use the word welfare anymore. The correct political wording is “social assistance”.

 

[MikePA]

But for the life of me I don't know what welfare cheats have to do with the economic downturn.

I never said it did.

Pulling more and more money out of the private sector via ever increasing taxes. Borrowing more and more money to fund more and more government spending is not only prolonging the economic down turn, it's making it worse. Just yesterday John Deere indicated the health care legislation will cost them $150 million. I believe Caterpillar reported it'd cost them $100 million. How does this help create jobs? No business, large or small, would expand or hire in this environment.

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

MikePA,

The global economic downturn was due to in large measure to irresponsible banking practices and a failure of oversight by banking regulators here an abroad.

Some of the result here in the US has been a rapid decline in GDP, an increase in unemployment, foreclosure rates and bankruptcies, a reduction in federal and state revenue, an increase in federal deficits and budget crises at the state and local levels.

I don't think anyone would disagree that folks who abuse the welfare system should be prosecuted or in some way forced to pay restitution to the state. But for the life of me I don't know what welfare cheats have to do with the economic downturn.

Sorry,
Got to disagree, The genesis of the meltdown was the Community Reinvestment Act. To answer an earlier question about the "lack" of oversight, Do you REALLY want someone who wanted to "throw the dice a while longer" referring to not reining in Fannie & Freddie, running the system. Well enjoy, because that is exactly what you have, Thanks Barney!
If you want to talk about REAL irresponsible behavior, just look to Washington, they have a lock on it.
Was that "political"?