Funding cuts leave many without home heating assistance in Macon

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

The economy may want you to spend but it doesn't force you to spend. That's your choice. There are households with an income of $30,000 that are financially better off debt to income than households with an income of $80,000. Why is that? < hypothetical question.

Yes the TV looks bad IMHO, because there are households that are self-supporting and responsible enough to pay their own bills and because of that have never been able to afford such flashy luxuries. I'm sure they find it disheartening to find out people in the same income bracket as them get all this "help" while they live modestly.

I make a decent living (for myself), put in a good amount to my 401k and savings, donated $3,000 this year to AIDS Research Alliance and the West Texas Food Bank but guess what????? I still canceled my cable this year prepared ALL of my lunches at home and I've never been able to afford* a TV like the one in the picture. Not everyone spends as stupidly as you insinuate.

-If you expect tax payers to foot your food bill because you'd rather spend your money on alcohol, tobacco or drugs, IMHO that IS unethical.


*Just cuz you can pay for something doesn't mean you can afford it.

N of 1 is not good enough to wipe away the evidence of gross American excess. Yes, you are a good person and save your money like a good boy. Excellent! The vast majority of Americans don't and haven't. Most Americans who are ready to retire have little money with which to retire. Most Americans carry more debt on their credit cards than they will ever be able to pay off, especially as they only pay the minimum off each month. You take the average American and put them in the unemployment line for a few months, and I'd like to see how great they look. Are they irresponsible? Duh. Is it wide spread? Absolutely. So, they're tax money is paying for the idiotic decisions they are making that have already caught up with people less fortunate than them. Don't forget that the ones collecting benefits were probably paying taxes before they fell on hard times, too.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

N of 1 is not good enough to wipe away the evidence of gross American excess. Yes, you are a good person and save your money like a good boy. Excellent! The vast majority of Americans don't and haven't. Most Americans who are ready to retire have little money with which to retire. Most Americans carry more debt on their credit cards than they will ever be able to pay off, especially as they only pay the minimum off each month. You take the average American and put them in the unemployment line for a few months, and I'd like to see how great they look. Are they irresponsible? Duh. Is it wide spread? Absolutely. So, they're tax money is paying for the idiotic decisions they are making that have already caught up with people less fortunate than them. Don't forget that the ones collecting benefits were probably paying taxes before they fell on hard times, too.

Ummm.....Then it's ok than to spend every last penny you have? You say that these people are irresponsible and admit they put themselves in this situation yet you clear them of any responsibility and talk as if it's "not their fault".

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Ummm.....Then it's ok than to spend every last penny you have? You say that these people are irresponsible and admit they put themselves in this situation yet you clear them of any responsibility and talk as if it's "not their fault".

I never said it's not their fault. I said that it's hard to judge people when the standard is their same behavior. I also think that you don't know a persons situation, so don't assume you do. With 9% unemployment, there are many hardworking people who have depleted any savings they may have had. Are we to sit back and let them sell everything they have to live on the streets and freeze to death? Charity extends beyond giving to AIDS related organizations.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I never said it's not their fault. I said that it's hard to judge people when the standard is their same behavior. I also think that you don't know a persons situation, so don't assume you do. With 9% unemployment, there are many hardworking people who have depleted any savings they may have had. Are we to sit back and let them sell everything they have to live on the streets and freeze to death? Charity extends beyond giving to AIDS related organizations.

Sigh..... Freeze to death?...... but maybe we should allow them to sell everything they don't need to "reset' their priorities and spending habits.

I also never said we should end charity or welfare, all I'm saying is

IF YOU HAVE $20 TO SPEND ON BEER THAN YOU CAN DROP $2 ON A BOTTLE OF KETCHUP.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Sigh..... Freeze to death?...... but maybe we should allow them to sell everything they don't need to "reset' their priorities and spending habits.

I also never said we should end charity or welfare, all I'm saying is

IF YOU HAVE $20 TO SPEND ON BEER THAN YOU CAN DROP $2 ON A BOTTLE OF KETCHUP.

So how do you propose we regulate that? Have auditors go to their houses and gather up their belongings for auction? I thought you Republicans were all for less government intrusion in people's personal lives. I guess that's only your own personal lives. You don't get to reset anyone's priorities. The point of welfare is to help them out until they get on their feet, not teach them a lesson like you know better. As has been said before, people who qualify for food stamps don't have to be destitute. They have jobs and can afford to pay for some things. They don't have to sign a pledge promising to never buy beer again. It's not your business. How bout in the future, when you see someone buying a six pack with their own money and $2 worth of ketchup with food stamps, assume that that money came out of my taxes instead of yours. I pay more than you do anyway. That $2 bottle of ketchup isn't running up our national deficit, but that huge tax break I just got along with all my top 2% friends sure did!

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

So how do you propose we regulate that? Have auditors go to their houses and gather up their belongings for auction? I thought you Republicans were all for less government intrusion in people's personal lives. I guess that's only your own personal lives. You don't get to reset anyone's priorities. The point of welfare is to help them out until they get on their feet, not teach them a lesson like you know better. As has been said before, people who qualify for food stamps don't have to be destitute. They have jobs and can afford to pay for some things. They don't have to sign a pledge promising to never buy beer again. It's not your business. How bout in the future, when you see someone buying a six pack with their own money and $2 worth of ketchup with food stamps, assume that that money came out of my taxes instead of yours. I pay more than you do anyway. That $2 bottle of ketchup isn't running up our national deficit, but that huge tax break I just got along with all my top 2% friends sure did!

Funny you call me a Republican even though I'm a registered Independent and have NEVER voted for a Republican candidate before but that's neither here nor there. Also, why don't you and your friends donate that tax windfall to charity, Hell maybe you should contact that paper in Macon and offer to pay that woman's heating bill this winter. Not holding my breath on that one...

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Funny you call me a Republican even though I'm a registered Independent and have NEVER voted for a Republican candidate before but that's neither here nor there. Also, why don't you and your friends donate that tax windfall to charity, Hell maybe you should contact that paper in Macon and offer to pay that woman's heating bill this winter. Not holding my breath on that one...

Ha! Me and my "friends" will be saving that money like we always do instead of using it to "create new jobs." Don't you know that's the way trickle down really works? I'm so sorry I pegged you as a Republican, but you sure sound like one. I sure didn't ask for my tax windfall...most will probably get saved, though I give a significant part of my salary every year to charity. As for contacting the Macon paper to pay this lady's bills, holding your breath is stupid. So, because I think it's dumb to judge the poor for their choices and expect them to live in a cardboard box before they can ask for help means that I personally have to support every single person that needs help? I may have a tax windfall in the future, but that's not feasible, and your rhetorhic is always over the top. This is why we have government programs to help because they CAN have widespread reach.