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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by shamrock124
It could mean something meaningful to those that make $150,000 too. It's unfair to assume that those in that income bracket are rolling in money and have no struggles. No one knows what liabilities a family might have to even get to that income level...student loans, long and expensive commutes, childcare expenses...etc.
I agree. We are in the "ineligible" bracket, but last year we had two major surgeries and a baby.
LOTS of medical bills to pay off, which because I wasn't working for part of the year meant they went on credit cards and now I'm paying interest on them.
So in that case it could help. Are there people that will get this who don't need it in the under $150,000? Of course.
My sister is a teacher and makes much less than that but she has ZERO credit card debt, can afford her mortgage just fine, paid off her card, etc.
She's the last person I know who needs it.
Not all situations are the same, which makes this kind of delination difficult.
But at the same time, I don't have a better cut-off solution.
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Posted 1/30/08 1:37 PM  |
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by carolinep24
Am I the only one who feels  b/c my husband and I barely make 1/2 of the minimum?
Not sure if you're the only one, but I can say that I'm not embarassed with what I make. Am I happy about it? No, life would certainly be easier if I could bring more $$ home. But I earn every dollar that I DO make and I don't let our income determine my self-worth. I take pride knowing that everything I do have, while it might not be glamorous, is bc of my own successes.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:39 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by alisonggg
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by quasi3
If we made anywhere near $150,000.........not gettting an extra $1,200 would not even cross my mind.
However, those who make near the $150,000 really have nothing to compain about!
Sure you would complain about the fact that you are not getting a $1200 check this Spring.
No matter how much we make, whether we need it or not, or whether somebody else thinks we need it or not, $1200 dollars is a big chunk of change. I reiterate, it means the same to me as it does to you...JMHO
I disagree with this... it can't mean the same thing to you as a family who makes 50,000 a year, its a much larger proportion of their annual salary so of course it is more significant for them... I do agree though that this proposal isn't supposed to be based on who "needs" it more... I do belive that the 150,000 cutoff is a fair cutoff because they had to do it somewhere
That is an unfair assumption. You are assuming that a family that makes $150,000 a year as the same expenses as that of a family that makes $50,000 a year and that both families have the same tax liabilities which isn't true.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:39 PM |
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alisonggg
Cutie
Member since 3/06 4749 total posts
Name:
a
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by shamrock124
That is an unfair assumption. You are assuming that a family that makes $150,000 a year as the same expenses as that of a family that makes $50,000 a year and that both families have the same tax liabilities which isn't true.
I agree with you about the tax brackets.. I didn't really think about that... but as far as expenses goes I personally don't agree... I feel that basic life sustaining expenses for both families should be about the same (food, medical, shelter)... obviously there are exceptions on both ends, but i still feel $1200 is more significant to a family making 50,000 rather than 150,000
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:45 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by dm24angel
Example...someone with 150K income is going to go plan a trip or something, meanwhile us lower income peeps are gonna use it , in theory , in a more lifealtering way...Im gonna use it for my childs 1st birthday party.
Even I know that $1200 would be nice for me, and do good things for our family, but there's others that need it more.
So you thinking spending the money on a 1 year old's Birthday party is a need? I would say it's a luxury. Doesn't sound needy to me at all.
I would spend the $1200 on my student loans that gave me the job, that put me in a higher tax bracket.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:48 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by igottabeme
Posted by stephanief
Posted by Whamtastic
Posted by MrsFlatbread
great still doesn't help my husband and I b/c apparently the gov't thinks we don't need the money
If you're making (jointly) over $150,000 you DON'T need the money. You might WANT the money, you might LIKE the money, but you don't need it the way a family making $15,000 does.
I agree with this
I am broke, I need the $$ 
ditto! i wont lie...i need the money! LI is expensive!
AMEN
Heck I am well below that number and I WISH I could say I don't qualify!!!!
$150K no kids??!?!?!?! and they want $1200, what is that, dinner for a week??
$1200 is most of my rent!! But not all and barely enough to pay for most of my bills for the month if not the rent. it doesnt even come into paying for food, etc.
They want us to put it back into America, fine... I'll spend mine on american companies who lended me money when the govt wouldn't.
Still I wish I could say some would go to savings for a home 
I love folks who have 10's of thousands of dollars in 'savings' that say they deserve this money too. Man, I don't even have savings for anything other than to hold my rent money for a few weeks. I have overdraft which is practically a loan.
GIMME DA MONEY!
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:48 PM |
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dawn0717
LIF Infant
Member since 5/05 235 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by jellybean1420
I work for the state government and they are currently trying to work out our new contracts that give state workers that work In NYC and Long Island a significant pay differential than our upstate counterparts. The government can do anything they want. It's a reality that I would be living like a queen in East Bumblef*ck on my salary but b/c I live on Long Island and the cost of living is so high, money is tighter. I do believe the the governement should take this into account b/c aren't they in a way responsible for the cost of living here? Not really sure about the economics part of that?
If you work for the Federal gov't they already do this....it is called locality pay. I worked for the FAA for several years. You get increased pay based on the city/area you work in. Obviously working in the NY metro area you make more.
My Dh works for the FAA as an air traffic controller. They are actually phasing out locality pay. It's being reduced until it's down to nothing.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:48 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by alisonggg
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by quasi3
If we made anywhere near $150,000.........not gettting an extra $1,200 would not even cross my mind.
However, those who make near the $150,000 really have nothing to compain about!
Sure you would complain about the fact that you are not getting a $1200 check this Spring.
No matter how much we make, whether we need it or not, or whether somebody else thinks we need it or not, $1200 dollars is a big chunk of change. I reiterate, it means the same to me as it does to you...JMHO
I disagree with this... it can't mean the same thing to you as a family who makes 50,000 a year, its a much larger proportion of their annual salary so of course it is more significant for them... I do agree though that this proposal isn't supposed to be based on who "needs" it more... I do belive that the 150,000 cutoff is a fair cutoff because they had to do it somewhere
That is an unfair assumption. You are assuming that a family that makes $150,000 a year as the same expenses as that of a family that makes $50,000 a year and that both families have the same tax liabilities which isn't true.
Well they have some similiar expenses and the higher income familes have more cash flow to pay for the similair expenses.
Now I have many of the same expenses as the higher income people...Medical bills, etc.
So bottom line is there is ONLY SO MUCH MONEY. Who should get it?
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:49 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Message edited 2/24/2022 8:14:52 PM.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:49 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by dm24angel
Example...someone with 150K income is going to go plan a trip or something, meanwhile us lower income peeps are gonna use it , in theory , in a more lifealtering way...Im gonna use it for my childs 1st birthday party.
Even I know that $1200 would be nice for me, and do good things for our family, but there's others that need it more.
So you thinking spending the money on a 1 year old's Birthday party is a need? I would say it's a luxury. Doesn't sound needy to me at all.
I would spend the $1200 on my student loans that gave me the job, that put me in a higher tax bracket.
OMG, dont be so passive agressive.
Where did I say it was a need?
No its a luxury that we deserve after nearly going bankrupt b/c of trying to have this child.
I have those student loans too, consider yourself lucky you landed the job that paid that cash....and IMO stop complaining already.
If you really thought you deserved the $1200 more then me and said why, hell I'd give it to you....B/c like we said, theres only so much money, it has to go to someone.
I would GLADLY give mine to help someone else. GLADLY and WILLINGLY.
Message edited 1/30/2008 1:58:36 PM.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:53 PM |
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alisonggg
Cutie
Member since 3/06 4749 total posts
Name:
a
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by shamrock124
Posted by alisonggg
Posted by shamrock124
That is an unfair assumption. You are assuming that a family that makes $150,000 a year as the same expenses as that of a family that makes $50,000 a year and that both families have the same tax liabilities which isn't true.
I agree with you about the tax brackets.. I didn't really think about that... but as far as expenses goes I personally don't agree... I feel that basic life sustaining expenses for both families should be about the same (food, medical, shelter)... obviously there are exceptions on both ends, but i still feel $1200 is more significant to a family making 50,000 rather than 150,000
My point was more to the fact that it isn't as cut and dry as people think when you just look at income levels.
.
I do agree with this.... but I just know that it had to be cut off somewhere. If it was 200,000 or 250,000 would we hear people who make just above that complaining, at what point does the $1200 not mean anything to the reciever. just a thought
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:55 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by shamrock124
Also, an income of $150,000 can be subject to AMT tax which raises the tax liability substantially virturly making the take home incomes very comparable to that of someone with a $60,000 gross.
Ding...Ding....Ding
Try being double income, no kids. You make think it's a lot, but after yearly taxes and then Uncle Sam takes another few thousand come April 15th no matter how much "extra" you have taken out of your salary each year...it's really not like we are wealthy. And certain exemptions and tax credits you would be able to right off such as student loan interest, etc, scholl tax credits, are no longer available to you.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:55 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by dm24angel
Well they have some similiar expenses and the higher income familes have more cash flow to pay for the similair expenses.
Now I have many of the same expenses as the higher income people...Medical bills, etc.
So bottom line is there is ONLY SO MUCH MONEY. Who should get it?
That is not true. You can't assume that all families have the same expenses across the board.
For one, I pay much higher medical expenses because there is a deductible based on our income. I have to work, so I have to pay out a large % of my income to childcare. Not all families in lower brackets have those expenses.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:56 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by leighla
Posted by shamrock124
It could mean something meaningful to those that make $150,000 too. It's unfair to assume that those in that income bracket are rolling in money and have no struggles. No one knows what liabilities a family might have to even get to that income level...student loans, long and expensive commutes, childcare expenses...etc.
I agree. We are in the "ineligible" bracket, but last year we had two major surgeries and a baby.
LOTS of medical bills to pay off, which because I wasn't working for part of the year meant they went on credit cards and now I'm paying interest on them.
So in that case it could help. Are there people that will get this who don't need it in the under $150,000? Of course.
My sister is a teacher and makes much less than that but she has ZERO credit card debt, can afford her mortgage just fine, paid off her card, etc.
She's the last person I know who needs it.
Not all situations are the same, which makes this kind of delination difficult.
But at the same time, I don't have a better cut-off solution.
I think your sister is in the minority.
And the difference shows when something DOES happen.
Like your surgery. I couldnt have that same surgery, my family wouldnt survive it financially. Because of choices we may have made sure....But it doesnt matter what people choose to get them to where they are, good or bad, its WHERE THEY are right now when the stimulus plan is out there that counts I think. And how we can best use it as a country to our advantage that is the best debatable topic.
So life situations do alter the outcome yes, but for the majority the money is needed by those in that income range...I think anyway....
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:56 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by hazeleyes33
Posted by carolinep24
Am I the only one who feels b/c my husband and I barely make 1/2 of the minimum?
I do, all the time. I feel so poor compared to many of these people on this board.
Me too!
Since the day I joined LIW I noticed I am not in the league with most people here. *shrug* I'm great at finding deals though. I don't go shopping for clothes/accessories unless something's broken. I go shopping like once or twice every six months. Even then I can't spend the kind of money some here do on one visit to the mall.
I go to the mall for services (tailor, mail, etc) and to walk around.
Most folks here are kind, but sometimes I do feel like they don't 'understand' my situtation completely. Just as I am sure I don't understand theirs.
With no family here and no family to 'help' out in any way shape or form (not because they don't want to, they can't) and no 'roots' here or family friends or relatives etc. Long Island is a very expensive very difficult place to live.
No matter how much I try to explain I don't think it can be understood, just like I can't understand them all the time. *shrug* To each their own, I guess.
For the most part, folks here are all right.
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| Posted 1/30/08 1:59 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by dm24angel
Example...someone with 150K income is going to go plan a trip or something, meanwhile us lower income peeps are gonna use it , in theory , in a more lifealtering way...Im gonna use it for my childs 1st birthday party.
Even I know that $1200 would be nice for me, and do good things for our family, but there's others that need it more.
So you thinking spending the money on a 1 year old's Birthday party is a need? I would say it's a luxury. Doesn't sound needy to me at all.
I would spend the $1200 on my student loans that gave me the job, that put me in a higher tax bracket.
OMG, dont be so passive agressive.
Where did I say it was a need?
No its a luxury that we deserve after nearly going bankrupt b/c of trying to have this child.
I have those student loans too, consider yourself lucky you landed the job that paid that cash....and IMO stop complaining already.
If you really thought you deserved the $1200 more then me and said why, hell I'd give it to you....B/c like we said, theres only so much money, it has to go to someone.
I would GLADLY give mine to help someone else. GLADLY and WILLINGLY.
That's not the point. It's not about who deserves it or why. I just staetd tat the beginning that they should have taken into account the cost of living when deciding who to cut off. I am not complaining about my life and am very grateful for it, but you do not know the circumstances of everyones life and the specific factors that go into their expenses. You have no idea who we financially support in my family and to make generalizations about how you think I couldn't use the $1200 is silly. That's all. Not trying to make anyone upset
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| Posted 1/30/08 2:05 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by dm24angel
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Posted by dm24angel
Example...someone with 150K income is going to go plan a trip or something, meanwhile us lower income peeps are gonna use it , in theory , in a more lifealtering way...Im gonna use it for my childs 1st birthday party.
Even I know that $1200 would be nice for me, and do good things for our family, but there's others that need it more.
So you thinking spending the money on a 1 year old's Birthday party is a need? I would say it's a luxury. Doesn't sound needy to me at all.
I would spend the $1200 on my student loans that gave me the job, that put me in a higher tax bracket.
OMG, dont be so passive agressive.
Where did I say it was a need?
No its a luxury that we deserve after nearly going bankrupt b/c of trying to have this child.
I have those student loans too, consider yourself lucky you landed the job that paid that cash....and IMO stop complaining already.
If you really thought you deserved the $1200 more then me and said why, hell I'd give it to you....B/c like we said, theres only so much money, it has to go to someone.
I would GLADLY give mine to help someone else. GLADLY and WILLINGLY.
That's not the point. It's not about who deserves it or why. I just staetd tat the beginning that they should have taken into account the cost of living when deciding who to cut off. I am not complaining about my life and am very grateful for it, but you do not know the circumstances of everyones life and the specific factors that go into their expenses. You have no idea who we financially support in my family and to make generalizations about how you think I couldn't use the $1200 is silly. That's all. Not trying to make anyone upset
Given..every single family is different and I dont know. BUT the point is that the $150K family who truley needs it as much as the lower income family is IMO the exception to the rule....And thats why it seems like complaining.
Your situation could very well be different and you may be "broke" on that income, but you got lumped into a group that usually isint.
Does it stink? Sure, but the Government doesnt do much for anyone IMO these days so this "effort" and who its aimed at, is ok to me...and if I wasnt getting it and it ALL was going to say familys making less then $30K a year, I would be ok with that.
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| Posted 1/30/08 2:09 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
I will say - we are just inside the guidelines and we don't NEED it, but I will surely take it.
But what I can't stop thinking about is when people say it's not that much money to do anything. I think - just for our family of 4 - it's groceries for 3-4 months - if I were to stretch it - at least 6 months. It's EASILY my heat for the winter - and if I turned the temp down, put on a sweatshirt and turned off lights - I could probably cover electricity for the winter too.
I think this is huge to many many people - maybe not as many LIers, but it is going to help and I'm happy that it is not trickle down economics, but trickle up!
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| Posted 1/30/08 2:28 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by Erica
I will say - we are just inside the guidelines and we don't NEED it, but I will surely take it.
But what I can't stop thinking about is when people say it's not that much money to do anything. I think - just for our family of 4 - it's groceries for 3-4 months - if I were to stretch it - at least 6 months. It's EASILY my heat for the winter - and if I turned the temp down, put on a sweatshirt and turned off lights - I could probably cover electricity for the winter too.
I think this is huge to many many people - maybe not as many LIers, but it is going to help and I'm happy that it is not trickle down economics, but trickle up!
the reason I don't think it will amount to much in reality is because 1) we have no idea about how this will effect income (and income tax) next year OR 2) if it will lead to any other financial repercusions.
in the grand scheme...in the macro of the state of our economy and not in the micro of the state of my household economy, it really isnt' much at all.
this is 2 months rent for me (thank you rent control) this is a nice shopping trip for things I've been jonsing for but not buying b/c we are saving for a house. this is little splurges, dinners out, and it partly makes up the payment on the furniture we bought.
but while it's money in one hand...I can't help but wonder how it effects everything else...and that's why I don't feel it has much value.
you can't rob Peter to pay Paul and expect that to help a failing economy.
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| Posted 1/30/08 2:34 PM |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by melbalalala
Ugh I hate this stimulus plan. This is the biggest "election year is upon us so let's pass things that people like but don't work" Ive ever seen.
true but doesnt matter to me bc I am getting a check!
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| Posted 1/30/08 2:37 PM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
I don't understand why this is a debate about the haves vs. the have-nots.
The point of the check is for people to spend money in the economy to give it a "jump-start". (obviously, I have been pessimistic that this will work).
Is the rationale of the politicians that those who make over $150K as a couple can use their own $1200 to spend on goods and services for an economic injection? That they are already pumping enough money into the economy because they make more?
We won't be getting a check, but we aren't going to be throwing around $100s of dollars either to stimulate the economy, so I don't see why there is an income limit at all.
This whole thing isn't about "we have it so rough because we make so much less than that limit". It's about selecting a certain percentage of the population to receive and spend $1200 per couple to help us all in the long run (again, won't work). They probably could have said "ok everyone that is a redhead will get the money" and it would be the same thing. But it just looks good to say "we're helping the poor and middle class out here".
Message edited 1/30/2008 3:15:10 PM.
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| Posted 1/30/08 3:14 PM |
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Preguntas
it's pretty precious
Member since 1/07 3839 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
So, I don't get why anyone is arguing about who "needs" the money that is intended to be used to buy a big screen TV...
No one "needs" a big screen TV.
If it was going to people who really desperately needed it to heat their house, that is not even it's intended use, so that's not a valid arguement.
It had to be cut off somewhere, but I can see the frustration of paying the amount of taxes you pay for having a higher paying job, and not getting a little back.
A lot of people here need to take a step back and read what they have written- who are you to judge people based on their income? It's OK becaus ethey have more than you? What if they judged you based on your low income?
Terrible.
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| Posted 1/30/08 4:41 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
oh brother  here we go again with judging
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| Posted 1/30/08 4:45 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
and just want to add...
I for one am VERY happy about this! I will never turn down money from the Go'vt. 
even it were $200, that's $200 I didn't have.
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| Posted 1/30/08 4:51 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: HOUSE PASSES ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE
Posted by dm24angel
I think your sister is in the minority.
And the difference shows when something DOES happen.
Like your surgery. I couldnt have that same surgery, my family wouldnt survive it financially. Because of choices we may have made sure....But it doesnt matter what people choose to get them to where they are, good or bad, its WHERE THEY are right now when the stimulus plan is out there that counts I think. And how we can best use it as a country to our advantage that is the best debatable topic.
So life situations do alter the outcome yes, but for the majority the money is needed by those in that income range...I think anyway....
That's my whole point. Below and above $150,000 is not apples to apples.
Every situation is different.
We can't judge someone as being in need/not in need of money if they make more/less than that because every situation is unique.
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| Posted 1/30/08 4:55 PM |
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