Ohio Cuts Benifits

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Gary,

we know you and can look through the smoke. You are upset with some loopholes in the system, and you have every right to be. But I doubt that you and RN Ella will make a combined $58K per year. No matter how hard you try to come over as poor, you are still to wealthy for all of this. But the loopholes have to be closed and the abuse of the system needs to stop, I think we all agree with you on that.

Cellphones? Television? What happened to letters and books from the library?

Edited November 13, 2012 by Brother Hesekiel

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary,

we know you and can look through the smoke. You are upset with some loopholes in the system, and you have every right to be. But I doubt that you and RN Ella will make a combined $58K per year. No matter how hard you try to come over as poor, you are still to wealthy for all of this. But the loopholes have to be closed and the abuse of the system needs to stop, I think we all agree with you on that.

Cellphones? Television? What happened to letters and books from the library?

It is Alla, not Ella. Good grief. She is not an RN and will not be for another 1.5 years. And THEN she is making noise about going to UVM for a BSN and possibly an MSN. She never stopped short of a Masters in anything else so why start now? You are assuming she will ever stop being a student and start a career. I don't assume that.

Until the time she resumes working, 1.5, 3.5 or 5.5 years from now (if she doesn't decide just to go on to an MD)then we will reevaluate. People go on and off welfare benefits. For now it seems the best route to take and I will. It is not smoke and mirrors. I will be laid off January 1. In previous years I managed to stay on through the winter doing estimates and other administrative stuff, permit hearings, yada, yada. (anyone that thinks getting a visa is hard should try getting an Act 250 permit)

I actually am not at all upset about the election, Brother. Look back over the last few months, show me where I even posted ONCE that I was a Romney supporter. I do not like Obama, no secret, but I really could not care less what he does as long as I am not paying for it. I am not going to pay for it anymore. I don't have to.

"Obamaphones" people qualifying for food stamps can receive free basic cell phone service

Basic cable TV for $9.99 per month. That may just be a program of ComCast, I am not sure but they had out brochures for it at the office where you get the applications for benefits.

Internet for $9.99, another program which may be just Comcast.

FREE college application fee waivers. This is a good one! Too late to help us.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Just curious Gary. If you and Alla make a combined household income of only $33,600, in order to collect your government assistance, how will she afford her lavish lifestyle? Doesn't she spend that kind of dough on shoes alone every year? Sumthin tells me if you decide to go this route, your Sugar Daddy butt will be kicked to the curb.

You need to check it out.

Our net income will remain the same. That is, she will have the SAME amount to spend on shoes. Below the magic number of $2800 per month we qualify for about $3000 in benefits and tax savings, for stuff we pay for NOW. Such as medical insurance. Food, Home heating fuel, AND income tax. In other words, ALL money I make between $2800 per month and $5800 per month by WORKING is simply taken from me to pay for that stuff. Sure, I lose the income but I no longer pay for that stuff! Who needs the money if you don't have to pay the bill? It never was MY money, and Alla never could buy shoes with it, it just floated through our bank account and I had to pay TAX on it!

Think of it as your job saying "hey Teddy, instead of paying you $5800 per month we are going to pay you $2800 BUT we will give you free food, you are exempt from tax, FREE medical care, (which you pay $1200 per month for now)etc. AND it is all tax free! AND the benefits equaled $3000. Would ya? Imagine the same, except you do not have to work!

Alla comes from Ukraine, She was PAID for three years to give birth to a child and the government PAID for her daycare after that, she had FREE medical care all her life, still has her dental and eye checkus there and buys a year's supply of subsidized contact lenses every summer, food was always heavily subsidized, college education was paid for by the government...this is all business as usual for her, this is what the government SHOULD do. She voted for Obama. She is a US citizen and has the rights to these benefits that you or I do.

This is what our government has created. A system that basically negates the value or purpose of earning more than $2800 per month and less than $5800 per month (family of 3) For a family of four the numbers slide up to $3400 and $6500. Since Alla is in school and not working I fall within that range and I am jumping all over that!

We put a huge down payment on our home (I have owned homes and flipped them since 1977) so our monthly payments are quite low, equity does not count against us for welfare since it is our primary residence. Cars are paid for and late model, nothing over 3 years old. We paid them off when we were making more. Since we each have only one, they do not count against us either. She will now qualify for addl non-degree grant funds for her school tuition.

This is not a unilateral decision. Alla has been doing all household bills for almost 2 years. We can still buy shoes, clothes, cosmetics. No problem. She is on board with this. She did the math and there is no one more pessimistic than her. If SHE says it is OK, then it is OK.

Now when, or if, she ever finishes school we will reevaluate it and then if we can bump up our income to $100,000+, sure, I will go for that. It is about getting the most for MY family with the resources I have for them.

Hilarious that people think food stamps is why Ohio (and other states) went for Obama. So out of touch.

So why did they?

Edited November 14, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary,

we know you and can look through the smoke. You are upset with some loopholes in the system, and you have every right to be. But I doubt that you and RN Ella will make a combined $58K per year. No matter how hard you try to come over as poor, you are still to wealthy for all of this. But the loopholes have to be closed and the abuse of the system needs to stop, I think we all agree with you on that.

Cellphones? Television? What happened to letters and books from the library?

And I want to be clear that my comments about Alla being a professional student are not meant to be derogatory. She loves education, she is HAPPY being a student and I like for my wife to be happy. She sees the challenges of school and getting "A's" as challenging and rewarding as any sort of professional or career accomplishment. I have no problem with that.

If what I offer my wife is the opportunity to attend school and buy shoes, then I am honored to do so. If she never does anythng except go to school I will be perfectly happy.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So why did they?

If you wanted to know, you could. But you really don't so spare us, okay?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

If you wanted to know, you could. But you really don't so spare us, okay?

Thanks.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Just curious Gary. If you and Alla make a combined household income of only $33,600, in order to collect your government assistance, how will she afford her lavish lifestyle? Doesn't she spend that kind of dough on shoes alone every year? Sumthin tells me if you decide to go this route, your Sugar Daddy butt will be kicked to the curb.

Funniest part is, it will be YOUR wife that gets one less pair of shoes. Obama is raising YOUR taxes 13% on January 1. Mine are going down to -0-

Alla will buy an extra pair for her

Edited November 14, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I will note, to be fair, that as a diabetic and having a history of heart disease my health insurance and prescriptions are horrendously expensive, much more than we pay for house and utilities together and represent nearly HALF the benefit we are receiving. Others may not have such drastic savings in healthcare. Tax saving make up 1/3 of it. By diving below the level to get myself in the 47% that do not pay taxes. The food stamps and other benefits are incidentals for us, really, but why not?

Just the disclaimer. Also benefits vary by state and by state contributions and so do qualifying levels, so check it out in your state before you stop pushing and jump on the wagon. For me it is a no-brainer.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I will note, to be fair, that as a diabetic and having a history of heart disease my health insurance and prescriptions are horrendously expensive, much more than we pay for house and utilities together and represent nearly HALF the benefit we are receiving. Others may not have such drastic savings in healthcare. Tax saving make up 1/3 of it. By diving below the level to get myself in the 47% that do not pay taxes. The food stamps and other benefits are incidentals for us, really, but why not?

Just the disclaimer. Also benefits vary by state and by state contributions and so do qualifying levels, so check it out in your state before you stop pushing and jump on the wagon. For me it is a no-brainer.

Gary, to be fair, weren't you looking into this plan long before the election results?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary, to be fair, weren't you looking into this plan long before the election results?

YES! And I said so. Several times. I am not the one who continually says it is because I am mad about the election. Thanks for pointing that out, Rebecca. Glad I am not the only one to have to say it! Good grief.

I have been studying this for some months, since about July, actually. My actions would be the same either way.

The election results more or less secure the system we have now at least for 4 years, which is probably beyond the time it will benefit me...good news. Time to make the change! But the benefits I will use have been there for some time they will not appear on January 1 and until September I would not have come even close to qualifying but since Alla left her job to attend school (an important distinction and you may know why, one of your earlier questions suggested you did) By the time I have studied it and planned how to make the change, it is November and I may as well just keep things the way they are and finish out the year, our staff is always cut in January so I can take that opportunity to get laid off. Makes the transition easier and I think you know why.

Yeah, there are some here that think I am joking or posturing or mad about this. Nope, none of that. This is a premeditated financial decision made possible by our welfare system supported by Democrats.

Oh, and in case anyone is worried about it, our retirement fund is safe and has no effect on benefits until I am old enough to withdraw it penalty free.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I'm still only going to give you rice, dried beans and some canned vegetables. That's it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

YES! And I said so. Several times. I am not the one who continually says it is because I am mad about the election. Thanks for pointing that out, Rebecca. Glad I am not the only one to have to say it! Good grief.

I have been studying this for some months, since about July, actually. My actions would be the same either way.

The election results more or less secure the system we have now at least for 4 years, which is probably beyond the time it will benefit me...good news. Time to make the change! But the benefits I will use have been there for some time they will not appear on January 1 and until September I would not have come even close to qualifying but since Alla left her job to attend school (an important distinction and you may know why, one of your earlier questions suggested you did) By the time I have studied it and planned how to make the change, it is November and I may as well just keep things the way they are and finish out the year, our staff is always cut in January so I can take that opportunity to get laid off. Makes the transition easier and I think you know why.

Yeah, there are some here that think I am joking or posturing or mad about this. Nope, none of that. This is a premeditated financial decision made possible by our welfare system supported by Democrats.

Oh, and in case anyone is worried about it, our retirement fund is safe and has no effect on benefits until I am old enough to withdraw it penalty free.

I just think it's disingenuous for you to put a political face on your personal decision. Really, I do.

The system is different in every state (as you noted). I'm sure the things you are talking about doing wouldn't work in my state, so I guess the system must be more generous in Vermont. And I've been through some tough times in my life over the years. I've never drawn benefits of any kind, but I've looked into it. They aren't as easy to get as you paint it to be. If things are that easy in Vermont, then I'd say the state is an exception to the rule, rather than the norm.

I think you are just trying to stir the pot. Personally, if there is a way for you to get some relief with your medical expenses, then I say go for it. I don't think it's fair though for you to try and get a political rise out of people. One of two things is going on here - either the benefit system in Vermont is vastly different than much of the US - or you have never been as well off (through the years) as you wanted us all to think. Or, if you've had a change in your health that changes your financial picture, then be a stand up guy and just tell us. There's no shame in that at all.

You talk all the time about your heart attack and I get the impression this was some sort of life changing event for you. I've had my own apocalypse about what's important in life due to seeing someone I love at the mercy of their body. I don't know - maybe you decided it was more important that you have fun in your life and one way you do that is to jerk people around online. Nothing wrong with that I guess, as long as the rest of us are tuned into it.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

So why did they?

Perhaps they didn't think Romney was any better? Perhaps they were tired of Romney lying about the auto bailout and their jobs being in jeopardy? The auto industry was a big issue for Ohio this year and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what tipped the scales in favor of Obama at all.

[Teddy B 17,252]

YES! And I said so. Several times. I am not the one who continually says it is because I am mad about the election. Thanks for pointing that out, Rebecca. Glad I am not the only one to have to say it! Good grief.

I have been studying this for some months, since about July, actually. My actions would be the same either way.

The election results more or less secure the system we have now at least for 4 years, which is probably beyond the time it will benefit me...good news. Time to make the change! But the benefits I will use have been there for some time they will not appear on January 1 and until September I would not have come even close to qualifying but since Alla left her job to attend school (an important distinction and you may know why, one of your earlier questions suggested you did) By the time I have studied it and planned how to make the change, it is November and I may as well just keep things the way they are and finish out the year, our staff is always cut in January so I can take that opportunity to get laid off. Makes the transition easier and I think you know why.

Yeah, there are some here that think I am joking or posturing or mad about this. Nope, none of that. This is a premeditated financial decision made possible by our welfare system supported by Democrats.

Oh, and in case anyone is worried about it, our retirement fund is safe and has no effect on benefits until I am old enough to withdraw it penalty free.

Gary, I read all of these posts of yours and all they convey is a bunch of whining and bitching on your part. This coming from the guy who constantly posts how RUB women only like real men. Real men don't brag about how they're going on welfare. Grow a set man, this is pathetic.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Gary, I read all of these posts of yours and all they convey is a bunch of whining and bitching on your part. This coming from the guy who constantly posts how RUB women only like real men. Real men don't brag about how they're going on welfare. Grow a set man, this is pathetic.