Duggars make 17!

[cardaway]

My opinion is that anyone who has a problem with this needs to ask themselves WHY. You aren't supporting their children. Others are doing A LOT WORSE with one, two, or three children whom you ARE supporting with your tax dollars. How about people get some perspective, stop being so insecure (that's all this is, people attacking others because of their own deep-seated insecurities), and MYOB! I'm not saying no one should talk about it, but this kind of vitriol and finger-pointing is BS!

Taking tax dollars to live and NOT paying tax dollars into the system basically works out to the same amount. Not having to pay $5000 in taxes is really no different than getting a $5000 check from the government.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

The Duggars are the ones inviting this commentary by offering their family for numerous TV specials. They have also "marketed" their family lifestyle in Dad's political campaign. The Duggars have enthusiastically entered the public eye and people are responding.

I didn't say no one should comment, in fact, I said specifically that I didn't think people shouldn't talk about it.

The Duggars may be very forthcoming about their lifestyle, but people are jerks about it all on their own. That's my opinion and I'm just as entitled to it as you are to yours!

I am sick and bleeping tired of the animosity towards large families in this country. That's really all I am going to say about it because it literally raises my blood pressure thinking about how horrible people can be.

As for the cult thing, I could just as easily say that ANY of you raising your children in religious communities are brainwashing your kids. In fact, many of my fellow atheists DO say that. Bet no one would like that.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

My opinion is that anyone who has a problem with this needs to ask themselves WHY. You aren't supporting their children. Others are doing A LOT WORSE with one, two, or three children whom you ARE supporting with your tax dollars. How about people get some perspective, stop being so insecure (that's all this is, people attacking others because of their own deep-seated insecurities), and MYOB! I'm not saying no one should talk about it, but this kind of vitriol and finger-pointing is BS!

Oh,They are Definetely working the system.I must say that they are doing a very good job of it too.

 

[freckles and boo]

My opinion is that anyone who has a problem with this needs to ask themselves WHY. You aren't supporting their children. Others are doing A LOT WORSE with one, two, or three children whom you ARE supporting with your tax dollars. How about people get some perspective, stop being so insecure (that's all this is, people attacking others because of their own deep-seated insecurities), and MYOB! I'm not saying no one should talk about it, but this kind of vitriol and finger-pointing is BS!

I am not attacking anyone, least of all the children in this family. And I do know why I have a problem with this. It has nothing to do with any insecurities I might have. I don't believe people should expect their children to involuntarily become caregivers unless there are unexpected circumstances that can't be avoided. I don't think girls should be suppressed and pressed into domestic roles with no say in the matter. While I am sure they love each and every one of their children, they can't possibly support who they are as unique individuals. There isn't room in the schedule to pursue karate or soccer or any other individual interest so the children must conform completely to the program. Those are my "problems". And if they are going to put themselves out there so publicly I am going to feel free to comment on it.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Taking tax dollars to live and NOT paying tax dollars into the system basically works out to the same amount. Not having to pay $5000 in taxes is really no different than getting a $5000 check from the government.

Lots of people get tax breaks. I do, legal ones to which I am fully entitled. I'll bet you do, too. That's not criminal.
Personally, I don't think any of us OWE Federal income taxes. Not paying taxes (which I already think are inappropriate) and literally living off the money my husband works hard to make are two different things.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Taking tax dollars to live and NOT paying tax dollars into the system basically works out to the same amount. Not having to pay $5000 in taxes is really no different than getting a $5000 check from the government.

So then using that logic, everyone that cheats just a little bit on their taxes to get a slightly bigger refund of the money they paid in, is on public aid? They are after all getting tax dollars back that should be the governments. The ammount doesn't factor in.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Ugh, I so totally have to leave this thread before I lose it!

Enjoy the bash-fest, folks!

 

[cardaway]

Lots of people get tax breaks. I do, legal ones to which I am fully entitled. I'll bet you do, too. That's not criminal.
Personally, I don't think any of us OWE Federal income taxes. Not paying taxes (which I already think are inappropriate) and literally living off the money my husband works hard to make are two different things.

There is a big difference between a tax break and a break from taxes. Yes, I pay different taxes than my neighbors, but I do not totally get a break from paying taxes.

 

[cardaway]

So then using that logic, everyone that cheats just a little bit on their taxes to get a slightly bigger refund of the money they paid in, is on public aid? They are after all getting tax dollars back that should be the governments. The ammount doesn't factor in.

Do you cheat on you taxes? I don't, not worth the risk. They on the other hand are twisting the system to call themselves a church. But to their credit, they wouldn't be the first cult to do the same thing.

They don't have a different tax burden, they simply don't pay many of the taxes their neighbors do. Big difference.

 

[cardaway]

Ugh, I so totally have to leave this thread before I lose it!

Enjoy the bash-fest, folks!

Too late. The only vitriol here was from you.

 

[MareQ]

Different doesn't equal wrong. There are MANY different ways to raise a family. The Duggars may have choosen a route that is not popular - but it doesn't mean that their vision of what a family is and how it should be raised is wrong.

 

[dcgrumpy]

IIRC the last 3 have been c-sections. That uterus doesn't stand a chance

 

[LukenDC]

I didn't say no one should comment, in fact, I said specifically that I didn't think people shouldn't talk about it.

The Duggars may be very forthcoming about their lifestyle, but people are jerks about it all on their own. That's my opinion and I'm just as entitled to it as you are to yours!

I am sick and bleeping tired of the animosity towards large families in this country. That's really all I am going to say about it because it literally raises my blood pressure thinking about how horrible people can be.

As for the cult thing, I could just as easily say that ANY of you raising your children in religious communities are brainwashing your kids. In fact, many of my fellow atheists DO say that. Bet no one would like that.

I can tell that this is a sensitive issue for you and I was in no way saying that you should not comment or that your opinion is invalid.

I love families, am a product of a moderately large family, and have nothing at all against families. I do find the Duggars approach to family unhealthy because of the burdens that it places on children. However, as far as I can see, they are not doing anything illegal and no one should stop them from having children.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

When they went to DL they got 4 deluxe rooms for free.

Yea, and the parents took one for just themselves. The other kids had to watch the little ones and babies in their rooms. 16 kids in 3 rooms. Perhaps baby #17 was made at Disney.

 

[Chilehead Too]

As long as they stay off public assistance, they can have as many as they want. It is none of my biz.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Do you cheat on you taxes? I don't, not worth the risk. They on the other hand are twisting the system to call themselves a church. But to their credit, they wouldn't be the first cult to do the same thing.

They don't have a different tax burden, they simply don't pay many of the taxes their neighbors do. Big difference.

I have someone do my taxes. But I don't have my head in a bag. I hear people at work talk all the time about how they are collecting receipts and stuff where they can fill in their own donation ammounts for clothes and other ways to 'play' the system. Are all of these people on public aid too? Some of these people are paying around $10,000 in taxes.

I think the Duggars are a bit odd, and I don't like the loopholes they're using, but what they're doing is legal. And I don't think not paying taxes is the same as getting public aid.

Now I haven't seen their tax forms. It is possible for the Government to give back more of a refund than they paid in. If that happened, then I could see that being considered a form of Government aid.

 

[mom2mek]

My opinion is that anyone who has a problem with this needs to ask themselves WHY. You aren't supporting their children. Others are doing A LOT WORSE with one, two, or three children whom you ARE supporting with your tax dollars. How about people get some perspective, stop being so insecure (that's all this is, people attacking others because of their own deep-seated insecurities), and MYOB! I'm not saying no one should talk about it, but this kind of vitriol and finger-pointing is BS!

Exactly! A lot of cynical and insecure people.

Yes I feel sorry for those kids too. Just look at them! They are happy, articulate, well loved, well fed, and even joyful. Don’t even get me started on the skills they have developed. When I think about the time and effort those children must put forth in order to actually play an instrument, I get so upset. Look at them - they are engaged in life and art rather than video games, and not one of them is obese!

Sorry, but this just isn’t American. It just isn’t right. Why do we put up with this? Especially that mother who only has a high school education and a real estate license thinking she ought to homeschool her kids! What does she know? Did you notice she feeds her children fresh fruits and vegetables, teaches them to pray and work with others in the spirit of cooperation? Whoa, rein in that Michelle Duggar quick! And let’s donate a big screen TV and a cable subscription, especially MTV - that’ll fix the problem.

All kidding aside, with that many children, how can she NOT delegate to the older siblings to help with the younger ones? My 6 year old's chore chart already has "help your sisters" as a category. He takes pride in it! His 4 year old sister wants me to put it on her chart, too! Heaven forbid they learn to help one another and Mommy!

These children do appear to get socialization - they have a large network of homeschooling families that they are around, and after all, who here doesn't try and "pick" the kind of kids your children play with? My sister homeschools her three kids and that is pretty much who they play with - other homeschooled kids! They are very well-adjusted, social, and respectful. Sure, you run into some families that are a little bit more "odd" than others or have different beliefs, but don't you try and steer your children away from kids and other families that do not have the same beliefs/values as you? If you don't, you probably aren't doing the job as you should. ("Sure, little Jimmy, go play at Timmy's house - I know his Mom does drugs and his older brother is there with his girlfriend, but that's ok, he's your friend, I am just your mother!")

I must say also, that with that many children in one family, they do socialize with eachother - it isn't that much of a stretch to think these kids could actually get along and play together during the day, like normal kids play with one another at school/sports/daycare. I know that sometimes the only kids my kids play with are eachother and there's only 3 of them - so the Duggar's kids are probably a lot more socialized than mine!

I'm not saying that I know this family, by any means, but neither do any of the people on this thread and WHEW, the criticisms - harsh, people, harsh!

Their family motto is "Children are a blessing, not a burden," and it sounds like a lot of the people on this thread could take that message to heart.

I find the Duggars completely fascinating! Their kids are educated (last I heard the oldest was going to try to go to law school, and the older girls were interested in becoming nurses or teachers), helpful, kind, responsible, self-sufficient and unselfish. I say that the more kids in this world that learn those things, the better!

 

[pigletgirl]

Well she's 40 now, so her bearing years are coming to a close. Thank GOD!

 

[cardaway]

Different doesn't equal wrong. There are MANY different ways to raise a family. The Duggars may have choosen a route that is not popular - but it doesn't mean that their vision of what a family is and how it should be raised is wrong.

People have children taken away from them all the time, so yes, some ways are indeed wrong. I would ove to see a couple of these kids let free from their jobs and allowed to be kids. Even if it's just in the evenings so they can be like other kids who go to school and have chores.

 

[cardaway]

I think the Duggars are a bit odd, and I don't like the loopholes they're using, but what they're doing is legal. And I don't think not paying taxes is the same as getting public aid.

IMO the big key is getting out of paying taxes all together. And yes, I do believe that if two families are equal in almost every way (in this case lets say there is a fmaily of 10 down the street), but only the difference is that the Duggars don't pay taxes, I see that as getting public aid. The rest of the people in the area subsidize their ability to live they way the want and not share the tax burden.