Obamacare success stories please

[Muushka]

Is there really sales tax on food anywhere in the U.S.? I didn't know that. I live in the DC area and it's no where here (except in restaurants, so that's more of a restaurant tax).

NC taxes on groceries. NC is in the process of eliminating state income tax, .

 

[Arkansan]

Arkansas has tax on both groceries and clothing.

 

[drinkme]

I didn't realize that most states didn't tax food. I live in Illinois.

 

[lauradis]

Ohio had soda tax but no food tax

 

[tvguy]

I didn't realize that most states didn't tax food. I live in Illinois.

California is strange. No tax on raw chicken, or cold cooked chicken in the store, but the hot chicken in the deli is taxable. Food in a restaurant (fast food or otherwise) it taxable.

I think some states do have "tax holidays" during back to school time on school supplies.....they would never do that in California, that's where they cleanup on tax income!

 

[luvmy3]

Didn't your mother ever tell you that "fair" is just a description of the weather? Fairness is impossible under conditions of inequality.

What would you see done? The family scraping by on 30K paying the same percentage in taxes as the family making 300K, even though it means the former can no longer pay the rent/mortgage on even the most low budget housing or can't afford to insure the car they need to get to/from work? How is someone who can't afford the basics supposed to "share responsibility" in a way that will feel fair to the top 5%? Because if we're honest, even a flat tax is unlikely to do it - the "haves" will still be looking at the fact that the low-income family is only paying $5000 while they're paying $50000 and cry about the unfairness of it all.

I don't think that is necessarily the case, of course there will always be exceptions. I will take the ACA for example, but fair would be- affordable care for all, not just the few (as in not the majority) of people who truly need, but for everyone. There are countless stories of families who will be hurt by the increase in premiums and not being eligible for any subsidies. I realize in some people's eyes those families don't matter, because they are "lucky" enough to be able to pay their bills, but when its yours, it certainly does to you.
I am in no way saying those who truly need it shouldn't be helped, but like others have said, all could be helped by this and we aren't. We all could benefit from real healthcare reform, and lower costs. Instead, the ACA is yet another example of some of us getting the shaft while others yet again get the benefit of help because us getting the shaft allows them too.
I'm sorry but no that isn't "fair". I would still end up paying more, and that is fine, but the fact that I'm not even eligible for any "help" gets me a little bitter because that is the case each and every time.
But hey, as I said in one of these posts, it is what it is and unfortunately is a consequence for being in the middle class, or I guess what you consider the "haves". I won't stop making that argument though just because some are sick of listening. Hearing the truth will just have to hurt.

Food is taxed here if its prepared or processed. No tax on produce, meats, dairy.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Don't know where to put this but I need to vent....

We just found out last week all steady extra employees (4-5 days a week but not a set schedule) will be cut to 3 shifts starting immediately in order to comply with the new ACA hours mandate regarding who they must provide insurance to. Ironically most of us old timers (I've been with the company 11 years) already receive great insurance but we will probably lose it because at the beginning of this year insurance was dropped as a benefit to new employees and for existing employees we were told we had to maintain 29 hours a week average every quarter to keep ours (that's going to be tough working 3 8 hour shifts), the new hours is an across the board policy that affects us all.

Luckily I'm single, have no debt, and as number 7 on the steady extra list I only got 4 shifts a week on average but will now get 3 slightly better shifts that used to go to #1-6 so I should be able to survive this (and I guess just pay out of pocket for insurance or pay the penalty and pray I don't get sick) but most of my co-workers have families (including a couple single moms) and they are freaking out right now.

Nothing like a pay cut and losing insurance so others can get insurance.

I know the ACA will be great for some but it's devastating to others.

I wish they would think about the unintended consequences and the pain it will cause when they write these bills. Rant over.

 

[lauradis]

Why should they care it doesn't effect them? They are exempt at this point and time. This is a bigger problem. Then class war fare we keep discusses.

 

[dansamy]

Is there really sales tax on food anywhere in the U.S.? I didn't know that. I live in the DC area and it's no where here (except in restaurants, so that's more of a restaurant tax).

Many states tax groceries. Not a junk, convenience or restaurant food tax. A tax on actual grocery items in the grocery store or the butcher or the produce stand. This is one of the most regressive taxes in our country and it disproportionately affects low income individuals.

 

[luvmy3]

Many states tax groceries. Not a junk, convenience or restaurant food tax. A tax on actual grocery items in the grocery store or the butcher or the produce stand. This is one of the most regressive taxes in our country and it disproportionately affects low income individuals.

Luckily they have their food stamps and WIC to help

 

[lauradis]

Many states tax groceries. Not a junk, convenience or restaurant food tax. A tax on actual grocery items in the grocery store or the butcher or the produce stand. This is one of the most regressive taxes in our country and it disproportionately affects low income individuals.

Some of those same low income family are eligible for reduced or free lunch at schools, food stamps, and free health care for their kids. And now lower cost health care for whole family. those are just headliner give outs. Your welcome.

 

[susquehannaretriever]

In my opinion the last election was more about "what's in it for me" than anything else. There is a big percentage of people in this great country (and I mean that sincerely it IS a great country) that you can get free handouts for nothing. Well sorry to disappoint everyone that feels this way but nothing is for free. You, or someone else, pays somewhere, someway.
I look back at the independent greatest generation, that went through the depression, wars, hardships, and still did great successful things despite their situations. I am not so sure this country will survive a period like that again if it comes....

 

[lauradis]

In my opinion the last election was more about "what's in it for me" than anything else. There is a big percentage of people in this great country (and I mean that sincerely it IS a great country) that you can get free handouts for nothing. Well sorry to disappoint everyone that feels this way but nothing is for free. You, or someone else, pays somewhere, someway.
I look back at the independent greatest generation, that went through the depression, wars, hardships, and still did great successful things despite their situations. I am not so sure this country will survive a period like that again if it comes....

Yes it will, but not every individual will survive.

 

[dansamy]

NC taxes on groceries. NC is in the process of eliminating state income tax, .

This is exactly what I'm talking about when I say regressive. Income taxes typically have deductions for low income families. Sales taxes do not. When you're raising a family on $50k/year, sales taxes on basic necessities hits your bottom line as a much larger portion of your income than the family making $300k. Now, let's take it further. A single, uneducated mom trying to raise a couple kids on $25k. Now, those kids still need to eat & have clothing and shoes. And she's still going to have to pay the sales taxes on those necessary items. While she pays the same rate as the other families, she's effectively taxed at twice the rate of the $50k family and 12x the rate of the $300k family because that $1000/year extra that goes to sales taxes is a much larger percentage of her household income than the $2000/year that the $300k family might pay because they can afford better food and clothing. (Assuming all these families are raising and buying necessities for 2 children.)

And let's say, just for fun, that she makes a tiny bit over the line for food stamps. Now, she's bearing the brunt of a regressive sales tax and she receives no relief or assistance from either her state or any federal programs.

 

[dansamy]

Some of those same low income family are eligible for reduced or free lunch at schools, food stamps, and free health care for their kids. And now lower cost health care for whole family. those are just headliner give outs. Your welcome.

Depending on the family size and income, not every low income family will be eligible for "give outs". It's especially brutal for families barely over the lines. $5/year isn't enough to feed everyone, but it's enough to make sure you don't get any help.

 

[dansamy]

Maybe low income isn't the word I'm looking for. Maybe working poor is the right word. The ones who make tiny amounts over the cutoff lines for food stamps or WIC or free school lunches. The ones who would have been eligible for expanded Medicaid and live in states hell bent on punishing them for being "lazy" while they're working 2 part-time jobs trying to make ends meet.

Yes, we need welfare reform. Yes, we need tax reform. Yes, everyone needs to pay a fair share. And some families will get that fair share, plus some, back in the form of assistance meeting basic needs.

 

[dansamy]

Some of those same low income family are eligible for reduced or free lunch at schools, food stamps, and free health care for their kids. And now lower cost health care for whole family. those are just headliner give outs. Your welcome.

SOME. That's the operative word. There are cut off lines. Hard stops. Earning even one extra dollar puts them over that line and now there's no help. Just the pain of trying to do more with less.

 

[JediBonas]

In my opinion the last election was more about "what's in it for me" than anything else. There is a big percentage of people in this great country (and I mean that sincerely it IS a great country) that you can get free handouts for nothing. Well sorry to disappoint everyone that feels this way but nothing is for free. You, or someone else, pays somewhere, someway.
I look back at the independent greatest generation, that went through the depression, wars, hardships, and still did great successful things despite their situations. I am not so sure this country will survive a period like that again if it comes....

I usually follow threads like this but don't post, but this is how I feel as well. I am seeing it a LOT with my brother and others I know his age (early/mid 20s). I am getting concerned about how much and what changes we will be seeing when it's time to renew our insurance at work. I am so sick and tired of having to paying for everyone else because we are "lucky."

 

[lauradis]

Depending on the family size and income, not every low income family will be eligible for "give outs". It's especially brutal for families barely over the lines. $5/year isn't enough to feed everyone, but it's enough to make sure you don't get any help.

Make 5 dollars less , or here novel idea that most don't get. Find away to climb out of the death trap your in.

No one ever walked in to school and told me here you will be plumber and you can never make over 50 k year.

 

[susquehannaretriever]

I usually follow threads like this but don't post, but this is how I feel as well. I am seeing it a LOT with my brother and others I know his age (early/mid 20s). I am getting concerned about how much and what changes we will be seeing when it's time to renew our insurance at work. I am so sick and tired of having to paying for everyone else because we are "lucky."

Exactly Jedibonas. Several years ago my niece used to tell my wife and I how "lucky" we were; she was young and her parents had not made good choices. At the time my wife and I were newly married, did not have a pot to..ummm...go in; wife worked full time and part time job, I worked a full time and 2 part times. I am proud that we struggled but we are comfortable today, both good jobs. There is not the incentive, the desire or willingness on MOST (not all but most) people to work like that. Whether anyone believes me or not...I find it sad, troubling and worrisome. Oh by the way I am not in my 60's/70's, LOL. 48 here.