My $2100.00 rebate check came yesterday and I gave it all to myself.

[trumad]

Yeah I know---I'm supposed to save it or give it to Hillary or Obama as some type of protest over these silly rebate checks.

Please.....

I'm gonna party like it's 1999

[joeybee12]

1. Smartest post on this subject yet...n/t

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

37. Nothing yet

I have 1800 coming which should finally after years of fighting end my credit card debt... (They got me young)

[Hissyspit]

2. I guess you could mail it back to the Chinese banks.

I have to cash mine, too. Gotta come up with some money to pay for my gas and health care somewhere.

[Jack Bone]

3. K&R

[cynatnite]

4. Mine hasn't came yet

It's going to the teenager's high school graduation present once it arrives...hopefully, in the next week or so.

[Rosemary2205]

5. how did you score $2100?

tax refund or "rebate" check?

[cynatnite]

10. married with three kids maybe...

That comes to $2100. We'll get $1800.

[trumad]

11. married, 3 kids

[Rosemary2205]

13. Um

can I rent your kids for a couple bucks a day? LOL :)

[trumad]

17. Better yet... I'll sell em cheap.

[CatWoman]

25. I'd rather rent Trumad

:)

:hi:

[trumad]

28. You won't give me back.

;-)

[Rockholm]

6. Won't we have to pay taxes on this next year?

[trumad]

7. yep...

but isn't that the American dream... have fun now and pay for it later?

[Rockholm]

9. Paying taxes on a tax rebate. Figures.

[high density]

30. No we don't pay taxes on it

It's basically an advance on a one-time tax cut that we otherwise wouldn't realize until we filed our 2008 taxes.

[Rosemary2205]

15. Actually no we don't

I have here a "offical" type letter thingy that clearly states I will never ever ever have to pay this back and it won't never be counted as "income" on future taxes.

"Free" money. Wooohoo!

[Harry Monroe]

59. But it gets tacked on to the deficit and therefore the national debt

Your kids and grandkids will have to pay for it.

[Dorian Gray]

18. No we won't....

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

27. No, it is tax free.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

91. We won't have to pay taxes on it

But we'll be paying out the ass for the interest on the loan from the Chinese that we got to pay for the whole idiotic scheme to buy votes.

[Crabby Appleton]

8. You did the right thing. nt

[fasttense]

12. We got $1,200. I thought that was the max. How did you get $2,100?

Mine is going into savings, just in case the economy collapses or I have to pay it back next year.

[cynatnite]

14. $300 per kid in addition n/t

[AlCzervik]

16. how much vodka does that buy, have you figured it out yet?

[trumad]

19. Um...Let's see...

30 bucks a bottle for the good stuff divided by 2100. 70 bottles.

That should keep me ripped until November 4th.

[AlCzervik]

21. :-)

:thumbsup:

[Red Zelda]

20. If you got more $$$ because of kids

... don't forget to send the difference to the school district so childless people like me stopped being soaked by these thieves. OK?

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. And the library and any other public service that is tax-supported.

[trumad]

24. Maybe you should hook-up with Rocky?

[Midlodemocrat]

29. And don't forget that when you're old and infirm

trumad's kids might be your doctors or your pharmacists. Wouldn't want them educated right?

:eyes:

What a tired fucking argument.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

34. Children are not a retirement plan or insurance policy

Not for you or anyone else.

You have no idea whether your kids are going to grow up to be doctors or pharmacist, or criminals and drug addicts.

Just so you know, I have no problem paying taxes for public education, or any government programs that help young people. What I do resent is being expected to pay more than my fair share, particularly based on the tired argument of "my kids will be taking care of you one day". If your kids {i]don't grow up to be productive citizens, shouldn't you have to pay the tax breaks you got for them back?

[Midlodemocrat]

38. Nor is the tired old saying that I don't have kids so why should I pay

for schools? worth anything.

If you chose not to have kids, that's fine. I paid for many years into a system of hospital and road infrastructure prior to having children. If people don't want to pay into the system, they shouldn't expect the benefits that an educated society will reap for them. And, I'm not talking about just doctors or pharmacists, I'm talking about people who can read road signs to deliver your food to your grocery store.

And, my kids are almost grown and they are about as far from criminals or drug addicts as they could be.

And for the record, I'm not getting a stimulus refund, so more power to trumad.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

45. I've never said that. I gladly pay taxes for schools.

As people did for me when I went to school. In many areas of the country retirees have created special property tax exemptions for themselves, which I think is b.s. Public education is part of the commons and the general welfare and is everyone's responibility.

Again, I don't mind paying the taxes. I just don't appreciate being expected to pay MORE than people with children. Children they CHOSE to have. Sure, kids are expensive but you knew that going into it.

[Midlodemocrat]

58. But isn't that part of being a good citizen?

And, believe me, kids cost way more than the deduction you get for them.

I'm not gay, but I am a tireless advocate for LGBT rights, both financially and time wise.

I don't have a special needs child, but I have written policy extoling the virtues of main streaming all special needs children because it was the right thing to do.

It's part of what makes us civilized.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

70. Boats are expensive too, I'm told.

Should I get a tax credit if I owned a boat because they are so expensive to maintain?

But really, why should a couple who makes $150K a year get a subsidy for their children? That is NOT progressive. That is a redistibution of wealth to one particular segment of society because of their voluntary personal circumstance, rather than a legitimate need.

Meanwhile, the lower income families who could really use the money don't usually qualify for it. How is that progressive?

[Midlodemocrat]

73. What do you mean about the lower income families not qualifying?

And, I have a boat. No tax credit for it. Just a hole in the lake you pour money into. Actually, it's my husband's. And based on his poor health, it's the best thing I ever bought him.

But, I digress. The stimulus is phased out at $150,000, (which is some areas of the country is a struggling wage, believe it or not), but I do not understand your comments about lower income families? I was under the impression that everyone who filed and even those who received the EIC got a stimulus check?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

81. I'm actually talking about the $1000 per child tax credit that middle class parents get.

I had the stimulus check thing clarified by checking the IRS site. It appears everyone gets it.

It's important to note "middle class" because most lower income parents don't pay enough taxes to qualify for it. IOW, if you have a child but your tax bill is only $500, that's all you get.

And if people are struggling in some areas at $150k, just imagine how the families making $40k are faring. But no (or barely any) child tax credit for them, and they might earn too much for EITC.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm all for helping kids. I'd just prefer more help to go to the ones who need it.

[Zynx]

56. It makes sense to give tax breaks to those raising kids. They are furthering society

into the next generation and should be compensated for it.

[Midlodemocrat]

60. The tax 'break' for raising kids is minimal when you consider

what it costs to raise them. Hell's Bells, I bet I spent over $5k this year alone on fees and such for my two teens to attend their very public high school.

About the only thing they didn't dun me for was the grass seed.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

68. So if the kids turn out to be dregs on society

Should the parents have to pay them back?

[Midlodemocrat]

74. No more than the elderly person who uses up more resources than

another because of his/her poor health.

I really am not getting your point.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

79. When you say you deserve lower taxes and a tax credit

Because you are doing the important work of raising children, why should you be able to keep the money if you fail in your job?

I'm using YOUR justification for why you should get the tax break, that parents "deserve" it because they are parents. Need has nothing to do with it.

[Midlodemocrat]

84. Never said that.

Not once. You're putting words in my mouth.

Done with this.

[ZombieHorde]

82. "doctors or pharmacist, or criminals and drug addicts"

Can't a child grow up to be all four? Dream big my friend.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

31. Oh, now you've done it.

You're going to be flamed for daring to question our parent-centric and child-worshipping culture and the unfair policies that ensue from it.

Didn't you know that people without kids have buckets of disposable income that exists for the express purpose of subsidizing other people's kids? :sarcasm:

I'm mighty irritated, though not surprised, by extra rebate money going for the kiddies. Funny, I thought the rebate was only for people who paid income tax last year. That's why retirees, people with disabilities, and many of the working poor aren't getting it. They apparently don't deserve a rebate. But little Ashlee and Cody from the suburbs deserve $300 so their parents can buy them some more Chinese-made crap to fill the McMansion.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

35. Are the doctors, nurses, police and firefighters

of tomorrow only going to serve the people who had kids? Are taxes and SS going to be kept up by the 72 yo retired childless person?

"Funny, I thought the rebate was only for people who paid income tax last year"

You thought wrong, even childless adults who pay no income tax got a rebate.. so retirees and the working poor all get it the only people who get *nothing* are the uber wealthy..

[Midlodemocrat]

41. Hate to tell you this, $150,000 is far from uber wealthy in a lot of areas.

San Francisco, New York, DC to name a few.

Not that they're poverty stricken, mind you, but certainly not uber wealthy.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

49. Ill accept that correction... Apology for the oversight...

Still the homeless and working poor do get a rebate..

[Bluenorthwest]

77. working is the key word

To get any rebate, you must have earned at least $3,000 in wages. Most of the homeless have not done so.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

42. You are correct about the rebate. I checked the IRS site. Mea culpa on that.

But once again, I will tell you that your children are neither a retirement plan nor insurance policy. Your Little Angels may grow up to be doctors or nurses or firefighters, or they may grow up to be drug addicted criminals. They may become seriously ill or disabled as a young adult and require me, though my SS contributions, to help support them. You simply don't know what the future will bring. I may not live to be 72 or I may be alive and still working, out of choice or necessity.

I don't mind paying taxes, including and especially for things like schools and health care for children. What I do resent is being expected to pay more than people with children, as though being childless is something I deserve to be penalized for.

[GreenPartyVoter]

47. I don't think of being childless as something to be penalized for. In theory

the difference comes down to trying to give people with kids a break, I guess. (Not that childless couples don't struggle. We did before and since having kids. Either way, life's tough.)

But like I said before, we as a nation have the funds to make life so much easier and better for everyone but for TPTB's gross mismanagement of the monies. :nuke: Makes me want to scream, it really does. :mad:

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

52. Taxes = Punishment is a GOP talking point...

[mrreowwr_kittty]

83. Giving tax cuts to people who don't need them is a feature of Republicanism.

Just imagine what we could be doing with all those tax credits going to upper middle class parents? We could probably repair some infrastructure with it. Or even, get this, build some schools!

Don't you at least think that parents who get the tax credit should have to put it to something that directly benefits the child? Like a college fund or an IRA? I personally know a couple who bought jet skis with theirs. And another who bought a plasma TV.

Oh but I'm sure they "needed" those things.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

89. Ummm my healthcare cost per kids is over 250$

So this whole 'I dont need it' kind of goes out the windows with that.. But if you want to know I am against the rebate as a whole but when it comes to feeding my kids I cant really be idealistic.

"Don't you at least think that parents who get the tax credit should have to put it to something that directly benefits the child?"

Like I said health care and child care (more than 1000 a month) *do* benefit my kids..

--

Wow you know flippant people I guess that means this is who all parents will spend the 300 right?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

90. Don't you already get to deduct health care expenses over 7.5% of your income?

The fact that you are paying so much for health insurance is an indication that we need a single payer health care system, not that parents should get tax credits simply for being parents. There are people out there who do not have their children insured, but they're getting the same credit you are. You can rattle off your expenses for your children all you want but it doesn't change the fact that the government is handing free money to fairly high-income people, with no strings attached, while cutting social services to poor families.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

92. BTW tax credits are not for parents they are

For people who re raising kids, if I died my wifes parents would get the credits.

BTW Like I said I was against this rebate at any level..

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

51. No, my kids are not my retirement plan

but they are the ones who will be providing essential services for both you and I when we age. We have a responsibility to each other in this society and we all contribute in our own way to say the paying taxes for a service you do not use is a *very* republican mind-set.

Just like if you give a ton of money to the united way you get a write off so it is with raising the next generation.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

55. Did I ever once say I shouldn't pay taxes for a service I don't use?

Read all of my posts and point to where I said that. That I do use fewer government services than the average parent is an indisputable fact. But I don't have a problem paying my share of taxes. I do have a problem with being expected to pay MORE than you because I made a different life choice.

We've been through this before, you and I. It's perfectly fine to be a parent, but it's not this amazingly altruistic sainted thing you are doing that requires me to genuflect before you. Any more than my not having children entitles me to the same. But I happen to think our current income tax system, with extra tax credits and (now) rebates going to parents, is unfair and discriminatory.
(I also think that the deduction for mortgage interest is unfair to those who don't own a home, but I still take mine.)

Bill Clinton had an opportunity, back in the mid-90s to give all working Americans a tax break, because the economy was going well and we were looking at budget surpluses. He chose instead to target the tax breaks to people with children, by passing that absurd child tax credit. It was nothing but pure pandering to middle class 'soccer moms'. I personally knew a couple who bought jet skis with theirs.

[GreenPartyVoter]

36. This wouldn't even be an issue if we rerouted our Defense spending to cover

universal health care and education. If I feel bilked over anything, it's bombs and other implements of death and destruction.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

46. I agree completely. nt

[Midlodemocrat]

39. For the record. Most people who live in what you describe as

a McMansion aren't getting rebates. They're capped. And pretty early, it seems to me. If the true purpose of these checks was to stimulate the economy, everyone who paid taxes should get one. Including heads of households.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

66. In my area they are.

The cost of living is still low enough here that 100K a year is damn good money, even for a family of four.

But I see your point, about it being a stimulus.

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. Yours is a pretty non-progressive way of thinking.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

48. I believe in a progressive tax system.

As such, I feel that penalizing middle and working class childless citizens with a higher tax rate is regressive. I use fewer goverment services than my counterparts with children and my not procreating is worth 72 years of recycling and 50 years less driving on the road, in terms of environmental impact. Yet my government treats me like I did something wrong, in the form of a bigger tax bill.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

54. Hmmm I thought progressive helped people in need...

I think people with kids have *many* expenses more than those without. The idea that *taxes = punishment* and that *I should only pay for what I use* are not progressive, they are as far from that as you can get, hell darth Cheny has them tattooed on his wrinkly hide..

[mrreowwr_kittty]

57. People who own boats have many more expenses than people who don't

But you wouldn't see me demanding a tax credit for owning a boat (if I owned one) because it's so expensive.

As for helping people in need, I don't consider upper middle class families living in McMansions (which is what you are if your family income is $100k where I live) to be in that category. Yet they get a generous tax credit every year if they have children. And they're getting an extra stimulus check for their kids this year. I'd rather that money go to low income families, personally.

But that's just me, you know, the one you're accusing of being a Republican.

[Fox Mulder]

62. You know, I totally agree with what you said.

Why do those people who make more than $100,000/yr get extra money for having kids, and yet a lot of poor people aren't getting this extra money?

It's sickening.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

64. It totally sucks.

And then people have the nerve to compare me to a Republican for pointing it out. That child tax credit has nothing to do with need or progressive values. It's a redistribution of wealth to people with minor children (many of whom are by no stretch of the imagination poor or needy) from the rest of us. Bill Clinton did it to pander for the "soccer mom" vote.

[Fox Mulder]

65. And you know they aren't going to go out and spend it...

to "stimulate" the economy.

They'll save it for their own greed.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

67. Right Im *really* making out good on the kids

Hell if not for them I would be poor right?

[Fox Mulder]

69. Are you someone making over $100K/yr?

If not, then it doesn't apply to you.

[Midlodemocrat]

75. The stimulus check is phased out at $150,000.

And what are you saying about poor people not getting a check? I was under the impression that everyone who filed was getting something back unless they reached the cap? Is that incorrect?

[Midlodemocrat]

76. This is from the CNN site about the rebates. I think you may be mistaken.

One-time payments will be sent to at least 117 million low- and middle-income households, 20 million senior citizens living off of Social Security and 250,000 disabled veterans.

To be eligible for a full rebate, single tax filers must have 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI) below $75,000 and joint filers must have AGI below $150,000.

Single filers with AGI below $75,000 will get rebates of as much as $600. Couples with AGI below $150,000 will receive rebates of up to $1,200.

In addition, parents will also receive $300 per child under 17; there is no cap on the number of qualifying children eligible.

Tax filers who do not owe income taxes, but have at least $3,000 in income - which can include Social Security and disability payments - will get $300 rebates per person or $600 per couple.

The stimulus allows for a 5% phaseout rate for households above the income caps of $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. The rebates of those taxpayers will be reduced by the amount of income above the cap multiplied by 5%.



I am not seeing where it indicates that the poor will not receive this rebate, so I am curious as to where you got that information? Thanks! :hi:

[KitSileya]

88. I think you're making a lot of sense.

Especially as you point out that those who do need subsidies for their kids don't get them because they're too poor, simply because it's tied up with tax credits, and poor and working class people pay less taxes (in terms of dollars, not percentages!) than middle class and rich people.

In Norway, every child gets a monthly stipend from birth to 18 years regardless of parent income. I do see the value of that, but at the same time I go all grrr when I hear about parents who put the entire amount into savings. If you can put it all away in a savings account, you don't need it, and most likely you'll be more capable of helping your kid with college and apartments than parents who need every dime of that stipend to make ends meet every month.

But then, I am childless, and don't have the right to express my opinion on the matter as I don't have a dog in the fight :sarcasm:

[Bluenorthwest]

78. Uh, suprise

First off, many many retirees and people with disablities pay income taxes. Social Security and Pension income is in fact taxable.
Second, Social Security income counts and those who had at least $3,000 of it will get a rebate thing.
You may be thinking of SSI, which is not Social Security but Supplimental Security Income, a means tested benefit for those who did not earn an actual Social Security benefit. Those on SSI do not pay taxes as they get very little and if they earned more they would not get the benefit anymore, it is means tested. Retireees and disabled people on Social Security are taxed, pay taxes and are not means tested, that is one can get the benefits while still earning or holding other assests.

[Red Zelda]

86. Exactly

I'm not against paying taxes for schools (even those with the million-dollar artificial-turf football fields), but take that "child credit" tax money and send it right to the schools, not into the pockets of the parents who are not paying their fair share.

Add to that the injustice of school districts that continue their financial rape of senior citizens who must continue to pay astronomical property tax rates decades after their kids have grown.

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. We haven't gotten anything yet :^(

[malaise]

26. Bush says you should head straight

to The Mall and spend it immediately.

[Harry Monroe]

61. And if I don't listen to Bush...

...and save it, will I be hauled off to Guantanamo??

[malaise]

85. Perhaps

With Bush all things are possible :D

[roamer65]

32. Spend it while it still buys something.

In a couple of years, $2100 won't buy squat.

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. Posts like this make me want to stick my head in my oven. Too bad it's electric.

x(

[roamer65]

43. It's what one does in a inflationary economic situation.

Ask the Argentines or Brazilians. ;-)

[Telly Savalas]

71. If that's the case, can I give you $20 to get a post-dated check for $2,100?

[Veruca Salt]

40. kick! I will totally follow your lead on that

:woohoo:

[HughMoran]

50. I'm still giving every penny to the Democrats as a protest

Joke or not, I can afford to and will as I think it's a joke.

[AngryAmish]

53. I'm gonna get a big pile o' blow

[Manifestor_of_Light]

63. I did not get a rebate check.

I do not have a job.
I have no earned income.

Tough shit I guess.

[pengillian101]

72. Good for you that you rec'd that much..

I'm sure you can use it!

I rec'd mine - $300 - and spent it on groceries. :toast:

[TZ]

80. I'm gonna use my rebate to cover the expenses

of a recent trip to Minnesota to see a Mayo Clinic specialist. God knows this administration has been bad for my health so they might as well help pay for fixing it!

[DiverDave]

87. Did you get a paper check?

I'm waiting for mine, no direct deposit, so gotta wait.
If you did, thats great news for me, I need that ,oney last week.

Someone stole my cars wiring harness from my car, a 50 buck part has put me in a tough spot.
I need my car, as I'm starting a new job next week and gotta get to Baltimore on Tuesday for orientation.

Just makes me shake my head, a 50 dollar part to them...endless headaches for me.

So, I really need that $$.