So, anyone in the 47%?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I would truly like to hear Romney's response to the story above. If he heard it personally, I'm sure he would sympathize and go out of his way to help. But in the abstract, I think he'd say "She should have gone to her parents and church for help." But we don't all have parents or a church ready to give what's needed. Nor is that any less dependent a situation.

The "wrong decision" response is unfortunately widespread among those who lack the empathy to say "There but for ..." and to understand what that means.

That's the fundamental problem with our society we should be building up our church, and family support networks and not be reliant on the government. I think it's a cultural issue.

The church/community model doesn't work well.

In the US, different states provide different amounts of assistance. In states that rely on less government assistance, (Texas, and many Southern states) there are worse outcomes for health and education than in states that provide more government assistance (Minnesota, and many states in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not now, but I was for the past 5 years.

The last 3, I was working full-time, but I'm single with a kid and I was making less than $25K. Last year, I was unemployed for 3mo due to a move and I made $18K total. I got everything back, plus the EITC. The money helped me pay off debt and get back on my feet.

I also qualified for daycare assistance, WIC and my son qualified for Medicaid his 1st year and CHIP until I got my current job. I qualified for Medicaid during my pregnancy and immediately afterwards. Then I went 2yrs without insurance, which I'm paying for now as I left things untreated (mainly my teeth).

I'm white, raised in an UMC family, and I have a BA. I also made the mistake of marrying a deadbeat, although I wised up when DC was 8mo and divorced him. We lived in a very conservative area where jobs were scarce and didn't pay well.

In the past 18mo, I've more than doubled my income and I'll be paying income tax this year. I have no problem paying, I'm grateful there was a safety net and help when I needed it and I hope that others are able to get that hand-up that I received. I'll be voting for Obama in Nov.

PP, good for you! Romney/Ryan need to meet more people like you! They seem to live in some unrecognizable alternative reality where people like you don't exist. I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I would truly like to hear Romney's response to the story above. If he heard it personally, I'm sure he would sympathize and go out of his way to help. But in the abstract, I think he'd say "She should have gone to her parents and church for help." But we don't all have parents or a church ready to give what's needed. Nor is that any less dependent a situation.

The "wrong decision" response is unfortunately widespread among those who lack the empathy to say "There but for ..." and to understand what that means.

That's the fundamental problem with our society we should be building up our church, and family support networks and not be reliant on the government. I think it's a cultural issue.

The church/community model doesn't work well.

In the US, different states provide different amounts of assistance. In states that rely on less government assistance, (Texas, and many Southern states) there are worse outcomes for health and education than in states that provide more government assistance (Minnesota, and many states in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest).

I have a brother in law like this. He is part owner of a successful small business and thinks that private organizations should do all the taking care of the poor. I am a nonprofit fundraiser so I asked him - how much money did you give to the church last year? It was something like $250. Peanuts. So I asked him what other charities he gave to, or in kind donations to food pantries he gave, etc and the answer was $0. Of course. Hypocrite. And that, my friends, is why private charity cannot take care of all needs. Yes, Americans are the most generous nation on earth and all that, but it's still not enough. The nations where you see the least grinding poverty are frankly the ones with the strongest government funded social safety net. It's a fact.

[Anonymous]

No. But both of my parents are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not now, but I was for the past 5 years.

The last 3, I was working full-time, but I'm single with a kid and I was making less than $25K. Last year, I was unemployed for 3mo due to a move and I made $18K total. I got everything back, plus the EITC. The money helped me pay off debt and get back on my feet.

I also qualified for daycare assistance, WIC and my son qualified for Medicaid his 1st year and CHIP until I got my current job. I qualified for Medicaid during my pregnancy and immediately afterwards. Then I went 2yrs without insurance, which I'm paying for now as I left things untreated (mainly my teeth).

I'm white, raised in an UMC family, and I have a BA. I also made the mistake of marrying a deadbeat, although I wised up when DC was 8mo and divorced him. We lived in a very conservative area where jobs were scarce and didn't pay well.

In the past 18mo, I've more than doubled my income and I'll be paying income tax this year. I have no problem paying, I'm grateful there was a safety net and help when I needed it and I hope that others are able to get that hand-up that I received. I'll be voting for Obama in Nov.

Maybe you should have made better decisions with who you married and decided to have a child with.

This comment is hateful and uncalled for. No shit, moron. The point is that she did something about it, and she is not the welfare queens you wingers imagine. She is back on her feet and that is in the best interest of society. Not that you apparently care about the good of society. Another hard core (selfish) individualist, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Retired SS + clipping coupons +min withdrawal IRA pension plans -mortgage interest deduction (took out mortgage on my fully paid for home at a new low rate= cheapest money I'll ever find.
20 years with IBM and 19 year career with Apple both max ESOP = fantasttic nest egg - life is good and paying taxes won't bother me. I'm voting for Obama

BTY I've run NYC & Boston and Lying Ryan iOS still at it lying about his body fat. Lower than Michael Phelps!?? I think not

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should have made better decisions with who you married and decided to have a child with.

Wow, PP. Please know that the poster who called the PP you're addressing an inspiration is ACTIVELY HOPING that your husband leaves you. Have a nice day.

[Anonymous]

Your lack of planning is not my fault

[Anonymous]

Most of religious charitable giving goes to maintaining that religious organization and the clergy. Even the mormon church got listed by the forbes magazine.
And as has been mentioned, they are very particular about who they help.
I would not call americans the most giving nation, judgemental, yes, but not giving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your lack of planning is not my fault

Well, we all hope you remember that one day when you are disabled on the job or in a horrific dibilitating car crash, and your lifetime limits on your health insurance run out, and you have no income anymore, and need help. Hopefully your church or parents will be there to pay for your lifelong care. Jerkoff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your lack of planning is not my fault

You must be so miserable inside. Seriously. I am very sorry you're so bitter. Doesn't it drain you? I hope you get help one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of religious charitable giving goes to maintaining that religious organization and the clergy. Even the mormon church got listed by the forbes magazine.
And as has been mentioned, they are very particular about who they help.
I would not call americans the most giving nation, judgemental, yes, but not giving

There are statistics to show that the US gives more in philanthropy than anywhere else. But as I stated, a large part of that is cultural and economic. In Europe, where university has generally been free for those who can test into it and healthcare is universal, they just don't see the need for it. It doesn't make them heartless, it's just a cultural and economic difference.

[Anonymous]

lots of the family, both mine and hubby's, sadly.

[Anonymous]

I think Mitt Romney is a 47%'er himself-- at least as far as not paying taxes. On John Stewart the other night they played a clip from the earlier GOP primary debates wherein Mitt Romney responded to an ascertain by Newt that the capital gains tax should be abolished---
if you did away with the capital gains tax I would pay no taxes...

The uber rich have the resources (tax accountants & attorneys) and connections to structure things and/ or hide cash in off shore accounts such that they pay no or very little income tax.

Discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your lack of planning is not my fault

Well, we all hope you remember that one day when you are disabled on the job or in a horrific dibilitating car crash, and your lifetime limits on your health insurance run out, and you have no income anymore, and need help. Hopefully your church or parents will be there to pay for your lifelong care. Jerkoff.

Omg, 47% of america is either disabled from working or car crashes? We better tell everyone to stop working and driving.

Again you liberals think any tiny exception should be wide open for abuse and the rule of law. Private charities could handle the far off exceptions like real disabilities and injuries.

Watch daytime tv and notice all the disabled people on judge judy and all of the scumbag lawyer / structured settlement ads.