In One Florida Town, Parents Getting Refund Checks Fulfill Bush's Hopes

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/31/national/31REFU.html?hp

The refund checks have started arriving, and for many residents here, the $400-a-child tax credit, part of President Bush's latest effort to stimulate the economy, could not come at a better time.

Matt Ross, a father of two, said he intended to pay a few bills and, with school starting in a few weeks, buy new clothes for his children. Robert and Sharee McCutcheon, who also have two children, said their money would go for school supplies and Christmas presents. Roger Kintz, father of two girls, including an aspiring Olympic gymnast who is competing this week in Detroit, said his money would help pay for the trip.

Bridgett Bedwell, the mother of two boys, was thinking about her family dentist. "I'm fixing to have braces for my kids' teeth," she said. "That check really helps me out, especially when the braces are costing me $4,000."

--snip--


That is a painful outcome to Ms. Little, a registered Republican, who is planning to study cosmetology at a community college this fall.

"I don't think it's fair," she said, pointing out that clothes for her son cost no less than clothes bought by middle-income families. "It doesn't take into account people who are trying and can't keep up with everything. I don't say people who are getting the money don't deserve it. But why don't they also give it to people whose income is lower? We could use it more than they do."

[Toots]

1. Good Politics

But come next April this deduction has already been taken so pay up.

[MaraJade]

3. Not exactly.

Most people getting the $400 will still qualify for a $600 deduction
when filing their 2003 taxes.

[Toots]

7. It was raised to a thousand and thus $400.

Yes you are correct but not the thousand that is now the child deduction.

[Dob Bole]

8. Immoral politics...

I thought there were laws against buying votes...unless the law does it.

[diplomats]

2. Maybe Ms. Little will vote Democratic

in the next election. Talk about a rude awakening.

[SharonAnn]

4. She doesn't understand why? It's because the Republicans

don't want her to have it. Tax cuts for upper-income people is much more important to them.

Tell me, why is she a Republican? This is what she can expect from them.

[ferg]

5. Do people think the money falls from the sky?

Or did the NYT omit any comment from people who noticed the $450 billion deficit.

I didn't see a single comment about the deficit.

So, maybe the Republicans are right. There may be plenty of voters who think we can just hand out money left and right, borrowing from Japan and China and it will all be A-OK.

[Ilsa]

6. "Oh Honey, you don't pay taxes"

Has her republican party explained that to her? Especially when her rent (or more directly, her mortgage payment) includes property taxes? Especially since she pays sales taxes? How about FICA?

[Mel]

9. Wonder if Ms. Little

knows about the Repuke Congressman Spencer Bachus of Alabama? He called a tax
refund to those who pay no Federal Income Tax a new welfare program.
This is what it gets Ms. Little to support Repukes they're calling her a 'welfare queen' for expecting to get a piece of that tax cut.

[Rebellious Republican]

10. They should save their checks to help pay for the Telephone ,

Auto Insurance and Power company rate hikes approved by Jeb and his republican legislature. Those checks will not even begin to cover the hikes over a one year period when added up!

[Cha]

11. Yeah! It's all so slimey ...like the politics of old in

"Gangs Of New York"

Maybe they will figure it out before Nov. 2004!

[XanaDUer]

12. Buy a clue, stupid cow...

"I don't think it's fair," she said, pointing out that clothes for her son cost no less than clothes bought by middle-income families. "It doesn't take into account people who are trying and can't keep up with everything. I don't say people who are getting the money don't deserve it. But why don't they also give it to people whose income is lower? We could use it more than they do."

I'd like to feel sorry for her. I really would. :eyes: