Stimulus measures that may help your wallet

[smartestnumber5]

What does any of this have to do with a plan to "stimulate" our economy?

Truth? It doesn't and neither does this supposed stimulus plan foisted on us by the Democrats. Because of this, it will fail. Badly.


.....I am bemused when I read posts like this bemoaning the sad fate of those with less stuff and their confidence that "Government as a vehicle for social change" is the only answer (which is what the stimulus is all about).

Yet, the 20th century presents so many horrifying examples where the opposite is true. Govt is not the solution. Govt is the problem. This history has already been written, with yet another dismal chapter to be added it appears. History doesn't repeat ......but it dang sure cycles.


Please go easy on all those freeby gummint electric carts. Fort Wilderness has strict rules on their use.......check out the camping thread....they know the deal.

The discussion that poster and I were having was not really about the stimulus--we've gone off on a tangent. The question was whether some people sleeping under newspaper (such as in Hoovervilles) while others have more than enough is morally reprehensible. The poster seemed to indicate that there wasn't anything morally bad about such a state because combat veterans live in bad states too. That was what our discussion was about.

On the topic of the stimulus I surely don't think it will fix everything. I hold some hope that it will do some good. (As apparently do lots of economists--some of them have argued that we actually should be spending more $ than we are on the stimulus).

I'm not sure how you can know it's going to fail--do you have a crystal ball? (If so, what are tomorrow's winning lottery numbers please?!)

I don't know what these historical incidents which show govt that in times of great economic turmoil it's best for the govt to do nothing. As far as I know, the best minds we have studying these questions disagree about what it's best for a govt to do to stop an impending economic crisis.

The stimulus may very well not do what it was intended to do. There are no guarantees and I don't think anyone is claiming that is a magic fix. I'm guessing most supporters of the stimulus would admit that it *might* not work. (Most apparently, though, would rather bet on trying a solution and it failing to doing nothing at all.) I don't think that is what the controversy on this thread has been about.

 

[VickiVM]

I already told you in an earlier post, there is nothing there for me to take advantage of.

Actually, I wasn't speaking specifically to you as my post was to all those in general who are against the package. So for the record, we all get that there's nothing in it for you.

 

[ntsammy5]

The only one I'll qualify for (maybe) is if I decide to buy a car and finance it - there may be a tax break there, but very, very minimal. Oh well.

 

[Mkaz]

A single mother with only a high school education did get into her position by choice. She made the choice to have unprotected or inadequately protected sex. She made a bad choice in the father of her child. She made the choice to continue the pregnancy. She made the choice to keep her baby rather than give it up for adoption. She made the choice to not use existing social programs to further her education.

Let me just tell you that NOT ALL YOUNG MOMS with only a high school education get into their position by choice. MY MOM was a widow at the age of 34. My dad died from a blood clot in his heart, in his sleep no less. He made darn good money. My mom was a SAHM and worked part time.

After she was widowed she managed to buy a house and worked very hard to keep it. She is not DUMB by any means. At one point she worked four jobs just to make ends meet. She NEVER took a handout from ANYONE! She did eventually go on to get her CNA certificate.

It wasn't her fault that my dad decided to just die on her and their children. Next time you decide to lump everyone into one category you might want to think about someone like my mom.

 

[VickiVM]

The only one I'll qualify for (maybe) is if I decide to buy a car and finance it - there may be a tax break there, but very, very minimal. Oh well.

I think the credit is for the interest which may be a little more substantial than the tax. I may have misunderstood, though.

 

[mikehn]

The title of the thread is 'stimulus measures'. Im not opposed to helping those in need. If congress wants to write a bill to help the needy, thats fine. But I thought this bill and this thread was about economic stimulous measures. There isnt anything in this bill that stimulates the economy. Somebody help me out.

 

[SAHDad]

I don't know what these historical incidents which show govt that in times of great economic turmoil it's best for the govt to do nothing. As far as I know, the best minds we have studying these questions disagree about what it's best for a govt to do to stop an impending economic crisis.

The stimulus may very well not do what it was intended to do. There are no guarantees and I don't think anyone is claiming that is a magic fix. I'm guessing most supporters of the stimulus would admit that it *might* not work. (Most apparently, though, would rather bet on trying a solution and it failing to doing nothing at all.) I don't think that is what the controversy on this thread has been about.

Some argue for doing nothing. If a stimulus plan has to be put into place, I'd prefer something like Minnick's START (Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition) Act. Per the press release, START allots

· $20 billion for school modernization

· $4 billion for job training and workforce investment

· $50 billion for shovel-ready highway, bridge and road projects; and

· $100 billion in tax cuts targeted at those who will spend the money quickly.

There are also several key provisions focused on accountability and fiscal responsibility. The Act:

· Requires that any unspent money be returned to the treasury at the end of 2010;

· Includes a “Buy American” clause;

· Requires all entities who utilize the funds to participate in the E-Verify employment verification program; and

· Guarantees that at least 10 percent of the money will assist our nation’s most impoverished counties.

The START Act also automatically reinstates “pay as you go” rules during any calendar quarter where the change in U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been positive for any two of the three preceding calendar quarters. This will guarantee a return to fiscal discipline.

At 20% the cost of the current stimulus, I bet it would have had a lot more bipartisan approach. Pity it didn't have a whelk's chance in a supernova of actually going anywhere. . .

 

[minnie61650]

That car and home credit...how can people afford to buy new cars and new homes? They are tightening their belts when handing out credit for anything. So, if you are poor and can't really afford to do either, how is this credit going to help? When people are struggling to pay their bills, the last thing they need to do is buy a new car.

We can afford to buy a new car or a new home and buying those items will help the economy recover.

For those who cannot afford to buy a new car or a new home at this time they should wait .

Just my 2 cents.

 

[VickiVM]

We can afford to buy a new car or a new home and buying those items will help the economy recover.

For those who cannot afford to buy a new car or a new home at this time they should wait .

Just my 2 cents.

I think that's exactly why that was added - there are those who are afraid to commit to car and home purchases because of the uncertainty. They are in a position to and have the financial means to support the expense, but have held off.

If I were looking for a home, I would be afraid to commit to a purchase for fear that the value would continue to drop. But it's home purchases that will begin to stem the falling values.

More of a psychological thing.

 

[froglady]

Let me just tell you that NOT ALL YOUNG MOMS with only a high school education get into their position by choice. MY MOM was a widow at the age of 34. My dad died from a blood clot in his heart, in his sleep no less. He made darn good money. My mom was a SAHM and worked part time.

After she was widowed she managed to buy a house and worked very hard to keep it. She is not DUMB by any means. At one point she worked four jobs just to make ends meet. She NEVER took a handout from ANYONE! She did eventually go on to get her CNA.

It wasn't her fault that my dad decided to just die on her and their children. Next time you decide to lump everyone into one category you might want to think about someone like my mom.

You're absolutely right. I should have used the politically incorrect, but more specific, unwed mother.

 

[chicagoshannon]

These 2 things have been taken out of the bill:


Temporary credit for car buyers: The bill would let those who buy a car in 2009 deduct the interest they pay on their car loan as well as the sales tax charged in the purchase. The full deduction would be available to those earning less than $125,000 ($250,000 for joint filers). Estimated cost: $11 billion.

Temporary credit for home buyers: The bill doubles the size of an existing temporary home buyer credit to $15,000. It also would allow all home buyers to claim it. And it removes the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back. Estimated cost: $39 billion.

 

[Mr Man]

The discussion that poster and I were having was not really about the stimulus--we've gone off on a tangent. The question was whether some people sleeping under newspaper (such as in Hoovervilles) while others have more than enough is morally reprehensible. The poster seemed to indicate that there wasn't anything morally bad about such a state because combat veterans live in bad states too. That was what our discussion was about.

On the topic of the stimulus I surely don't think it will fix everything. I hold some hope that it will do some good. (As apparently do lots of economists--some of them have argued that we actually should be spending more $ than we are on the stimulus).

I'm not sure how you can know it's going to fail--do you have a crystal ball? (If so, what are tomorrow's winning lottery numbers please?!)

I don't know what these historical incidents which show govt that in times of great economic turmoil it's best for the govt to do nothing. As far as I know, the best minds we have studying these questions disagree about what it's best for a govt to do to stop an impending economic crisis.

The stimulus may very well not do what it was intended to do. There are no guarantees and I don't think anyone is claiming that is a magic fix. I'm guessing most supporters of the stimulus would admit that it *might* not work. (Most apparently, though, would rather bet on trying a solution and it failing to doing nothing at all.) I don't think that is what the controversy on this thread has been about.

Oh. In that case........so how are things? Good? I am glad to hear it...... me? I'm just waiting for my interminable competition law meeting to end so I can go home.....

I am typing this on my new Crackberry. It has a touch-screen, but it makes noise when I type and the meeting facilitator is getting distracted....

Serves him right, he is probably getting paid to do his job with stimulus money!

Tangent. Working!

 

[MeghansMommy]

This will not be a problem. I work in private industry and actually pay my taxes (unlike Democrat politicians in D.C.).

I am part of the group who apparently exists only to finance their idiocy.

There is nothing in this plan for me or mine.

Same here.

The title of the thread is 'stimulus measures'. Im not opposed to helping those in need. If congress wants to write a bill to help the needy, thats fine. But I thought this bill and this thread was about economic stimulous measures. There isnt anything in this bill that stimulates the economy. Somebody help me out.

I agree.

 

[minnie61650]

I always enjoy those mature answers.

Did you send back your Bush stimulus check?

We did not need to send back our Bush stimulas check.

We did not get one because we did not need it.

 

[Buckalew11]

These 2 things have been taken out of the bill:


Temporary credit for car buyers: The bill would let those who buy a car in 2009 deduct the interest they pay on their car loan as well as the sales tax charged in the purchase. The full deduction would be available to those earning less than $125,000 ($250,000 for joint filers). Estimated cost: $11 billion.

Temporary credit for home buyers: The bill doubles the size of an existing temporary home buyer credit to $15,000. It also would allow all home buyers to claim it. And it removes the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back. Estimated cost: $39 billion.

taken out? well, there goes that incentive for many people. and the other thing, a lot of older people I know buy new cars without a payment plan and they do not want a payment plan. so those people who could really stimulate the car industry have no incentive there even if it wasn't taken out of the bill.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I don't think a single thing helps me or my family. And we continue to pay RIDICULOUS taxes.

Me either.

Stupid question.....are these for the 2009 taxes that you file early 2010? How is that going to help NOW?

 

[moburg]

So how about everyone who is AGAINST the Stimulus package NOT take advantage of any of it. That should reduce the cost of it right there. I double-dog dare you...

I'll be happy to, as long as I can opt out of PAYING for the package.

 

[mominwestlake]

Can a 40 year old use the new tax credit- American Opportunity or whatever it is called? I am taking college classes and they are a real budget breaker.

 

[jugman]

Are the earnings figured off of gross pay or is it net. There is a big difference for small business owners. You know the sbo's take in a lot of money, and employ people, but really aren't making all that money after expenses. If it's figured off of gross pay, then I think all the sbo's that won't recieve any benefit from it should just stop paying any taxes and see how that goes over. Before anyone starts about if they make that much money then they don't need any help, remember they don't make all that money they have cost to run a business, and if they are paying taxes it's their money to start with so why shouldn't they get some of it back.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...I am confused by labels of "socialism" when comments are made about willingness to help others in need...

Not a single person in this thread has suggested that helping someone in need is socialistic. What they are saying is taking money from someone by force and giving it to someone else at the government's hand is socialistic. Maybe that clears up the confusion.

Conservatives give far more to charity than any other group. And religious people give 4 times more than non-religious people. But conservatives do not support the government's role in this effort.