Republicans want to drug test welfare recipients — they should test bankers as well

[EC]

Oh, offies. Cheers! 

[Emjay]

Of course we must define "government subsidy".  Politicians would fall under that umbrella for the obvious reasons.  And so would retired post office workers on a pension.  But what about those on Social Security or university employees doing research via a government grant?

That's one really, really big umbrella.

You struck a nerve with that Social Security remark.  ReaLLY annoying.

[Smokin Joe]

You struck a nerve with that Social Security remark.  ReaLLY annoying.

I agree. Social Security is a government run retirement program people were forced to pay into.

Definitely not the same as welfare or government grants, the latter of which at least implies some sort of action for the money. With welfare, the only quid pro quo is in providing "client" caseload so the universities have jobs to send all those sociology majors after when they are done going into hock to get their social work/sociology degree.

[Cyber Liberty]

You struck a nerve with that Social Security remark.  ReaLLY annoying.

Bugs me too.

[Hondo69]

You struck a nerve with that Social Security remark.  ReaLLY annoying.

It bugs me too and I'm the one who said it.

How come they tax Social Security as income?

[Cripplecreek]

It bugs me too and I'm the one who said it.

How come they tax Social Security as income?

Its like taxing a tax refund.

[truth_seeker]

"Taxman"

The Beatles

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

Songwriters: GEORGE HARRISON

© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

[Hondo69]

Its like taxing a tax refund.

So . . . if I go earn a dollar by working, who's dollar is it?

Evidently not mine.   

[Cripplecreek]

So . . . if I go earn a dollar by working, who's dollar is it?

Evidently not mine.   

Ya know that money we took out of your paychecks your whole life? The good news is that we're giving it back to you. The bad news is that we're taking a percentage of it.

[Hondo69]

Ya know that money we took out of your paychecks your whole life? The good news is that we're giving it back to you. The bad news is that we're taking a percentage of it.

So let's see, I loaned the government money and for that awesome favor they're only going to charge me 25% when they pay me back?

Thank you sir, may I have another?

[Suppressed]

Nope. But I knew a lot of rig hands back in the days of spinning chains who had lost a finger or two (or part of one).

The old joke was "How many years have you been in the drilling business?"  With the answer being "5" and the following hand held up:

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Of course we must define "government subsidy".  Politicians would fall under that umbrella for the obvious reasons.  And so would retired post office workers on a pension.  But what about those on Social Security or university employees doing research via a government grant?

That's one really, really big umbrella.

are you saying those who contributed to Social Security their entire life and finally drawing SS on the govt promised so many years should be viewed similar to a welfare recipient receiving food stamps for doing nothing?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

It bugs me too and I'm the one who said it.

How come they tax Social Security as income?

'they' is bill Clinton.

[Smokin Joe]

The old joke was "How many years have you been in the drilling business?"  With the answer being "5" and the following hand held up:

Pretty close, only the little finger and ring finger were usually the first to go...

[Chosen Daughter]

First reaction would be to say yes!!  However the damage would be to the children who live in these homes.

[Smokin Joe]

First reaction would be to say yes!!  However the damage would be to the children who live in these homes.

Perhaps. The amount of dysfunction and often violence which can accompany serious drug use often means the children receive little benefit from the welfare payments. Weed can go either way, but test positive for meth, crack, etc., and chances are the kids are just being used to up the 'take', but aren't benefiting from that increase in funding.

[Chosen Daughter]

Perhaps. The amount of dysfunction and often violence which can accompany serious drug use often means the children receive little benefit from the welfare payments. Weed can go either way, but test positive for meth, crack, etc., and chances are the kids are just being used to up the 'take', but aren't benefiting from that increase in funding.

I agree.  Had a neighbor heroin addict.  Had 3 kids that were absolutely wild.  If Trump was serious about reigning in the opiate problem he would build the wall and stop the illegal immigration.

Promises, promises.........

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/donald-j.-trump-remarks-in-portsmouth-nh

[Hondo69]

are you saying those who contributed to Social Security their entire life and finally drawing SS on the govt promised so many years should be viewed similar to a welfare recipient receiving food stamps for doing nothing?

No, I'm asking a question.

One intended to prompt debate as a matter of fact.  Liberals will argue that that SS is not a government benefit but rather a savings account.  Then in the same breath they'll also argue it is income that should be taxed.

In my opinion both views are wrong.  I'd argue it is a tax.

[Smokin Joe]

No, I'm asking a question.

One intended to prompt debate as a matter of fact.  Liberals will argue that that SS is not a government benefit but rather a savings account.  Then in the same breath they'll also argue it is income that should be taxed.

In my opinion both views are wrong.  I'd argue it is a tax.

It is a tax, but the tax was intended to fund a retirement benefit. Those benefit distributions aren't income, but a promised annuity payment which had no specified rate of return at the time, with eligibility based on a certain participation level, and benefit based on contributions.
In contrast, welfare only requires being poor, and the benefit increases with the dependent body count, not on a basis of any contribution except more dependents. There are other add-ons which will increase those benefits, such as 'special needs' children, which imho has led to a raft of kids being branded with medical designations (and prescribed therapy or medication) which will affect them for the rest of their lives, in order for the primary recipient to get more money (and to boost jobs within the distribution industry).

The loss of benefits which is incurred by someone trying to get off welfare is so significant, that with the implementation of Obamacare (which has to be replaced when one no longer qualifies for Medicaid), the transition requires such a jump in income to achieve anything close to parity in terms of lifestyle that only the most determined will make that move.