It turns out he's even smarter than I could have thought. Last year's tax return netted him a used motorcycle (while between he and his live in gf, they have 4 children). This year's tax return was $4000 and netted him not one, but two trucks. I bet the reliability is swell for both.

He's doing even better. He decided to just not show up for his job, so that the boss would fire him, and then he could collect unemployment. He left his co-workers and boss in a lurch by doing this but sees nothing wrong with his plan.

His final paycheck? He was there within 1/2 hour of opening to get it. Such a smart guy and we are supporting them.

grrrrr

dl

How can he get unemployment for not showing up? If you get fired you have to go through a process with UE. They look into the situation to determine whether you were fired justly or unjustly. Even if they agree with you it takes weeks or depending on the state it could take months. I would hope that when they look at his case they would say "you didn't show up for work so no you get nothing".

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Maybe he wasn't getting enough hours on the job to make it worth while.Some companys will reduce yours to 8 hrs. a week instead of laying you off so you can't collect unemployment.It makes it hard if you can't find a replacement job, and your employer only gives you a few hours a week to earn money from.

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Even if that was the case Dolly doesn't he have an obligation to at least call and say this is not for him and he won't be coming in?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Yes,but if he does that then it's considered quitting and he can't collect unemployment then.The company is screwing him by only giving him a few hours a week to work to avoid having to pay unemployment.Not nearly enough to make ends meet.Meanwhile the person may not be able to find another job and be really hard up for money for bills,food,and whatever.I'm not saying its something I or bf would do,but I understand why someone might do this.

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What is wrong with getting trucks? Trucks can be an excellent source to earn extra money with. It's actually a better investment than if he were to have purchased a car.
As for the motorcycle, maybe he bought it dirt cheap from a friend.

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Dolly I think the point is these people have four children. Having those children was a choice they made. Because they have four children they are entitled to services that we, the taxpayers, pay. I don't have any children living at home (and I only have one anyway). My husband and I have to pay taxes we don't get a refund because we don't have children at home and even with all our deductions we still owe.
These people not only get $4000 back from the IRS that they did not pay in they also get Food Stamps and most likely other "benefits" they are entitled to.
When I was out of work I did not get Food Stamps I was forced by unemployment to take any and all work ( I did and would have anyway). If he doesn't like the number of hours he is given (we don't know this is the case but let's say it is for the sake of this discussion) then get another job or an additional job.
Why should the taxpayers pay for everything for this family when the rest of us are working several jobs, selling things around the house, babysitting, pet sitting, taking cans back, whatever the case may be, to make ends meet?
Where does it say in the Constitution, or the Bible, or Living for Dummies, or anywhere else, that lazy entitled people should not have to take the same steps the rest of us take?
If I don't show up to my job I will be fired as I would deserve.
And even if at one time everyone who pays taxes felt it was okay to support people this way it has to stop now because there just isn't any money.
Think of it this way: if you have a person on your street who has no food, maybe you feed them everyday breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then your income goes down. Do you still keep feeding them if it now means you can't pay your house payment, your car insurance or buy food for yourself?
Think of the man as the hungry neighbor and the government as you the generous one. The government (=us and our tax money) is running out and the "house payments" ,etc need to be payed so the hungry neighbor has to go find his own food so we don't lose the house feeding him.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

How does anyone really know if the man in that family is in fact "lazy" unless they are spying on them at all hours of the day.
I know what you mean about the "hungry neighbor". I all but gave bf hell when he gave someone at work an expensive sandwich I made for "him".We had hit really hard times and were behind on our bills and living off freebie foods I got from deals.I was having a hard enough time trying to put together his lunch let alone a supper and he went and gave his sandwich away! LOL, boy was I mad.

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dd, here is some factual information (I had posted when he recently bought a $600 cell phone for $150 and was quite proud of himself).....he was a full time employee and also had the opportunity to work over time.

He has 1, his gf has 3 minor children. The motorcycle was assinine (sp?) when you have 4 kids and are on the public dole. 2 trucks are assinine when you have 4 kids / 6 in your family, you are on the public dole, and the truck seats 3. Well, 3 in the front, legally in seatblets. Not to make money with, but to "mud" in.

I am betting he will get unemployment because of several cases I personally know of with my employer (not hearsay) - 1 involving a state law the person ignored. The statute was provided to unemployment, along with copies of what the person did. That pesron put our company at risk for a serious lawsuit. He was awarded unemployment.

As a matter of fact, when I think over the years of our employees who were awarded unemployment, I have come to realize that you can get unemployment for almost any reason.

And, I have come to realize that it's likely the reported percentages are skewered. As in if umemployment were only awarded in true cases of losing a job through nothing the employee did, layoff, company closing, I think it would be less.

dl

Don't you have anything in your own life to worry about? You kep real good track of other people and how they live. Your own life is most likely a hot mess!

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I am not worried about him and it's unavoidable "keeping track" when he is happy to tell of the money, goods, and services he gets on the public dole. In some ways, he has a better life than I do.

My own life, which you have absolutely no clue about, is fine. Some average ups and downs here and there like most normal people, as stated: just fine. Thank for the concern, although obviously you are confused and misdirected (as usual)).

As for my general statements, if you want to continue supporting people who can work, who can support themselves and theirs, yet have no idea how to take care of what they have, determine the difference between a true need vs. a want, etc. then you keep at it.

Personally I am fed up with the handouts and so many being blameless with their current theme about the economy.

dl

Without opening a can of worms, I must say I agree with a lot of what dl is saying. I think the whole point of what she is saying is that it's so unfair that so many people are able to take advantage of the system. I am not sure about getting unemployment after quiting; maybe he is able to get it from a previous job. But, I do know that if your hours are cut and you are still working there, you can get unemployment. I don't think is she being noisy, just frustraited. I have worked in a grocery store for 23 years. There are some people and their families that are still on asistance for the whole time I have worked there. (We sure don't mine taking the money, it doesn't bounce like a check might!).
I think to a point, the fella she is talking about, really doesn't know any better and doesn't know how to use the money he is getting to better himself and his family. Just this tax season, I am been acquainted with a couple of people getting back large ($7000) checks because of earned income credit and blowing the money on crap I would never dream of buying like a full back tatoo and a big screen tv. (What do you mean your can't keep your job because your car doesn't work??)
And don't even get me started on the people I have seen buying birthday cakes, nice than our two income family would dream of buying or the 3 tier wedding cakes I have seen purchased with food stamps.
I am not against help those in need; but I think there is a heck of a lot people can do to help themselves.
Clearly, our country needs to reform welfare and the other types of assistance we provide our "needy". Just my opinion.......

And don't even get me started on the people I have seen buying birthday cakes, nice than our two income family would dream of buying or the 3 tier wedding cakes I have seen purchased with food stamps.
I am not against help those in need; but I think there is a heck of a lot people can do to help themselves.
Clearly, our country needs to reform welfare and the other types of assistance we provide our "needy". Just my opinion.....


Agree. The Welfare system is crippled to say the least. It shouldn't be rocket science to get this straightened out, but it would definitely irritate some folks who are used to getting what they want, courtesy of the tax payers.

I am appalled that a fancy birthday or wedding cake from the grocery store can be paid for by food stamps. Really sickening.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

People in general do not know how to handle expenses. All they know how to do is spend spend spend. Just got through reading an article off the MSN home page talking about people that make $250,000...all the families they profiled spent more money per year than they actually made. It certainly boggles my mind how a family that makes $250,000 a year could possible over spend that much money. But it's the old keeping up with the Joneses scenario.

My mom always says that it's not how much you make that's important; it's how much is left over.

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Kim

I am another one who doesn't understand why people who receive food stamps and access and other gov't help are allowed to collect tax refunds. I have 2 young nieces who both are welfare mom's and both end up with huge tax refunds. I think the gov't should ask for the money back or make it a requirement that they pay it back. I will be honest and say as soon as they get it they spend it. It's not that I am jealous I just think that if you take assistance then you should pay it back when you get the cash.Maybe this is why we are in such debt and keep losing federal programs. Just my opinion.

Just wanted to throw this in. After I had my youngest son, I tried going back to work fulltime and couldn't handle the 12 hour shifts anymore with an infant and a 5 year old so I quit my job. We worked 4 12 hour days. I didn't even try to collect unemployment. My employer actually suggested applying so I did and got it without a problem. Took the 26 weeks and found another job with fewer hours. Just wanted to say that sometimes when you quit a job, you can still collect unemployment benefits. Depends on the situation. I think the lady said if your job changes hours that you weren't hired for or relocates to another area that you weren't hired for are also valid claims.
I also get annoyed at the grocery store when I see people buying "junk" with food stamps. I can't usually afford to buy soda and the other day the lady in front of me bought (10) 12-packs of soda and tons of other garbage with her food stamps! I guess we can't mandate what they buy but I wish we could, it's not their money. They didn't work for it. Maybe if they did, they would be buying milk and bread instead of (10) 12-packs of soda! Just my opinion.

Hi everyone. I want to give my opinion on this. First off, I work full time, my husband is going to school full time and can't find a job right now due to one, no jobs in our small town and yes we are on Food stamps. But when we use our food stamps we usually go each month and get grocies, like actual food; meats, fruits, veggies,and so on. I do know of people who do get junk with theirs and that really upset me too cause when I use ours we get what is needed and to see others abusing it is wrong.

Also, about the tax refunds...we do get a huge chunk back also for having two kids, but you have to understand the reasoning why we do. I always claim the lowest amount of exemptions my paychecks as I can that way I get more taxes taken out BUT I get it back at tax time. I do this as our "saving account". We are horrible when it comes to saving money so this is the best option we use to do that. So, yes we do get a big chunk back but it's MY MONEY that I am getting back. If I were to file with the highest exemptnios then I would just get my money in my paychecks instead and not much back at tax time. I do know their are other things that we 'qualify' for when it comes to exemptions, but you know what I work my butt off and do what I can for my family and I am not being lazy like this guy, whoever he is, that everyone is talking about. If I was not working to support my family and just sitting home on my ass on every possible assistance then yes, I can see people getting mad at that. But I take the extra help cause it's hard to do what you can and only get so far.
I totally understand if you know the person personally, but if you don't...don't judge please.

Thanks for letting me vent and I hope I didn't come across rude.

I don't think anybody has a problem with people getting back THEIR own money as a tax refund...that isn't the gist of the thread.

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Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

E. Roosevelt

If you read some of the replies before mine, you will see that others are talking about tax returns and food stamps which is what I was responding about.

Several times through the years, we have gotten back MORE than we put in. I don't think THAT is right. I just plug in the numbers and am not responsible for the tax code. It is what it is.

Here was our scenario...

DH was the sole earner in our home at the time. We had three kids. In our geographic area, his income was enough for us to live off of just fine. Not living high on the hog by any means - I am frugal - but the bills were always paid, we did not have cc debt, etc.

I just plugged in the basic info - DH's W-2, the SS #'s of each of our family members, etc. During that time we paid our house off early, so initially our mortgage interest plus our charitable contributions meant that we were able to itemize, and I just put in the actual numbers - no 'looking for deductions under rocks'. And once we had paid off the house and had no mortgage interest to deduct, the standard deductions were what we took.

There were several years in which we owed NO federal tax, and so not only did we get refunds of what we had paid in, but because of the Child Tax Credit, we also qualified for MORE back than we had contributed.

DH's salary was not low enough that we qualified for the "Earned Income Credit" (did I get that right?) that is given on a per-child basis, but if it had been, we'd have gotten even MORE back.

And again... keep in mind that we live in a geographic area with a low cost of living. Had we been trying to make it in California on DH's salary we would have been destitute. lol. Because we live in middle America where the median home price is $46,000. The tax tables are based on national statistics, so we get a bit of a benefit where taxes are concerned.

At the same time, there are consumer goods that have the same prices nationally that often seem sky high to us here based on our raw income numbers. If you live where people regularly make $150K and are considered 'lower middle class', a $200 iPod Touch doesn't sound hugely expensive. If you live where the average take-home pay is more like $2K / month, it seems like a fair chunk of money.

I didn't think it was GOOD that we GOT more than we paid into the tax coffers. I don't LIKE that our system is structured that way. But I didn't donate it back to Uncle Sam because I know that there will soon come a day when we *don't* have three kids to put down as our dependents and will be paying dearly to subsidize people who do. That's the way the tax code is organized.

If I look at it on an *annual* basis, I do NOT feel good about the years we got more back than we put in. If I look at it on a *lifetime* basis, I know that the feds have an expectation that within the next five years we'll be kid free and they will collect a boatload from us. That's why I didn't lose sleep over it, even though it is NOT the way I think the government should play with our money. I'd much rather we have a flat tax or some other method of computation. I don't think the government needs to do any social engineering and rob Peter to pay Paul.

clrkrr - you did say you have two kids. So you are getting money back that you would not - if you had no kids. THAT is part of this thread. Refigure your tax return claiming no children and see the difference.

It is, imo, something that isn't fair and equitable. It penalizes those who never have children. In effect, they are paying somewhere along the line to finance your $ return, schools, etc. It rewards those who do have children, and they more they have, the more $ for an exemption, possible head of household, eic, other benefits, etc.

Your post wasn't rude, I think you equate working hard with getting money back. Not necessarily your money, but money back because you are claiming 2 dependents.

dl

This is nothing compared to GE paying NO taxes.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.