Our system is weighted to level out economic disparities. What the numbers demonstrate is that at certain income levels, the burden of taxation versus the benefit of government assistance can produce counter-intuitive consequences.

For example, if I make $1000 "too much" a year to qualify to put my kids in pre-school, and have to pay for this expense out-of-pocket, if the market cost is $10,000, then it follows that I take home $8,000 less than a person who makes $1000 just under the income level needed to qualify. Thus a $2,000 economic disparity is magnified by a factor of four, to the effect of punishing the person who has worked harder to get just a little bit ahead.

It is simple math.

Oh, and again, I just LOVE being punished for working harder. It makes me so HAPPY that freeloading acquaintences of mine have 50 Wii games, $1000 fish tanks, TVs twice the size of mine, and the newest iPhone of course.

It's NICE that we have another thread where people can tell us obvious stuff and stuff. It's really NICE when the obvious stuff doesn't come from the same old stuffer. I feel downright warm and FUZZY (see Bri, we've come full circle.) And it's NIIIIICCCCCCCCE.

So, quit your job, go on crazy pay, Flint. I've been considering it. :lol:

Pre-school is where you choose to spend your money.

I think it's NICE when while washing your hands to prepare dinner you get halfway through and realize you have to pee. lather rinse dry repeat.

Piss in the sink.

Yabbut, you'll get it all back on your tax return, when your total tax liablility is negative something thousand and something. You're welcome. :p:

I'm playing devil's advocate a bit, because I do understand the concept: remember I see kids just trying to live a good life getting nothing in the way of help, and kids popping out slightly younger kids grabbing all the money they can. :neutral:

i'm in tears lawling!

Isn't it nice that those with more can complain about those with less.

Isn't it nice that those with more can complain about those with a LOT MORE.

Isn't it nice that those with a LOT MORE don't give a damn.

i see that so so much at the go kart track. it's sad. really though it's not just the kids. adults doing it too just to get more government cash on their checks. i do remember this: about 6 months ago a little girl, about 13 or 14 came in to ride go karts. she was about to pop. sad.

flint i know what you mean. my situation albeit a little different, i work my ass off yet i'm not eligible for food stamps? wtf? you mean to tell me that baby mama over there can drive an escalade with her 4 kids, 9 to 10 months apart in age mind you, yet i can barely afford rent and food? *sigh*. it's called "working the system." hell just today when Za and i were on our way back from the client he got a phone call from a potential shop employee. he wanted Za to pay him in cash so he could continue to get his unemployment bennies. ffs. really? he was talking to the guy in spanish but i'm pretty bilingual now due to my um. well. ya know. learn what you could to survive there and knowing what people were saying in there it was paramount that you knew when to duck.

Just so's all y'all know..... it's probably more equitable than that in the socialist/commie Uk and environs....

In the UK, yup, you get help on low income, and the more kids you have, the more "benefits" you get, but they're generally not enough to make it an attractive lifestyle for the majority ..and you have to jump through hoops of the sort SG is describing with her jobsearch.

Flint... preschool at $10K? what sort of preschool is this? Private high school doesn't cost a lot more that that here, and I think we have a higher cost of living. Preschool was about $500 for us. Or are you talking daycare?

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly! :D

It can buy them spelling lessons

Oh, an da new BMW....

Right the fuck on bro..... I see this shit every day. Insurance company sends you a check for your $14000 surgery and you go out and buy a new truck but don't pay your bill.... I am bleeding with empathy..... not. One business I work for takes three or four of these people to collection court each month.