Universal Basic Income

[jsd]

This thread went from criticizing people living off the government to teaching people how to live off the government. The hypocrisy. This forum is almost as wonky as the other one.

This is how it usually goes. It's total projection. People think others are as bad as they themselves are acting.

[jsd]

Nothing wrong with using legal loopholes

Unless you're​ poor, apparently.

[videogamesrock]

I wouldn't categorize tax avoidance with the same as food stamps and section 8 housing. The health insurance is a requirement by law and is charged at what your net income is. I'll use the PELL because of all the years I paid into the system. But what I've described is not living off of the government. The government does not pay for my food, clothing, shelter, car, gasoline, utilities, or any other day to day activities. I've planned my business around the tax code and around the government's inflationary stance. It just so happens that I pay more in local, state, and county taxes and the federal government issues me refunds for being a student. The government has been subsidizing the housing industry since the Great Depression. I play by all of the rules that everyone here is eligible to participate in and it comes down to choice. As I have stated I wish the government gets out of subsidizing everything including 30 year mortgages, tax deferral, corporate welfare, individual welfare, health insurance, education such as student loans and grants, and then maybe we can have a flat and fair tax system where everyone pays a low and flat rate. Maybe an amendment forcing the government to cut fraud waste abuse and deficit spending. If you do need welfare fine, but there should be a lifetime 2 year limit which would give someone motivation to become self sufficient.

[videogamesrock]

Nothing wrong with using legal loopholes

It's not even a loophole, it's available for anyone to use. It's often lack of knowledge in the area of taxation where most are unaware of different structures.

[sarg123]

Unless you're​ poor, apparently.

Lying in order to get government programs is not exactly the same thing as filing your taxes in a completely legal manner.

Edit:

I'm sorry I said that, because the truth is that my issue with the government programs for the poor is not that people lie or cheat - I don't think they do that any more than anyone else.

My problem with the system we have now is that it promises to help people, but it really doesn't. They have a huge amount of rules that have to be followed in order to get most programs, and for a lot of people on the system it's really overwhelming. They're trying to just get through the day, and they don't need this huge hassle which, to be honest, is quite demeaning.

Also, the people who need to be helped the most are not really get the help they need. Five years ago, I had a neighbor, single, divorced, who couldn't get any health insurance. To pay herself would probably be her entire salary, but she was not eligible for help because she "made too much". Now that Obama care is the law of the land, I have a friend who's husband lost his job, couldn't get another one, and she's working minimum wage. She IS eligible for Obama care, BUT, she has a five thousand dollar deductible, and like a 50% copay. There is no way she could afford this, so it's like pretend health insurance, for her.

I could go on, I have lots more examples...

[Collegelady2]

$5000 deductible is nothing. If I was married to my fiancà last couple of years our premium on Obamacare would have been over $1,500 a month with a $15,000 deductible. Absolutely insane and backwards. Thankfully he just found another job where the family premium would only be $135 a month with a $2500 deductible. Too bad we didn't know how to be creative with taxes like videogamerock suggested.

[sanantone]

I wouldn't categorize tax avoidance with the same as food stamps and section 8 housing. The health insurance is a requirement by law and is charged at what your net income is. I'll use the PELL because of all the years I paid into the system. But what I've described is not living off of the government. The government does not pay for my food, clothing, shelter, car, gasoline, utilities, or any other day to day activities. I've planned my business around the tax code and around the government's inflationary stance. It just so happens that I pay more in local, state, and county taxes and the federal government issues me refunds for being a student. The government has been subsidizing the housing industry since the Great Depression. I play by all of the rules that everyone here is eligible to participate in and it comes down to choice. As I have stated I wish the government gets out of subsidizing everything including 30 year mortgages, tax deferral, corporate welfare, individual welfare, health insurance, education such as student loans and grants, and then maybe we can have a flat and fair tax system where everyone pays a low and flat rate. Maybe an amendment forcing the government to cut fraud waste abuse and deficit spending. If you do need welfare fine, but there should be a lifetime 2 year limit which would give someone motivation to become self sufficient.

Using student loans to purchase real estate is not legal. Getting more back than what you paid in to fund your livelihood is living off the government. You've also advised people to do illegal things with filing their taxes, such as claim tuition that was paid for by grants. The rules make it clear that you cannot do that. I can't believe there are people advocating tax fraud on this forum. This isn't creative; this is criminal.

[Collegelady2]

Hate how the government absolutely discourages marriage.

[sarg123]

$5000 deductible is nothing.

$5000 deductible is a lot for her, it might as well be a million - she doesn't have either. There's also a 50% copay (sorry, not deductible, I made a mistake when I wrote). She's working a minimum wage job, and she's really poor. Technically, she has insurance, so the government can pat themselves on the back and say, oh, yes, we have so many people insured. Realistically, she does NOT have insurance, she can't afford the deductible, and she can't afford the copay.

Also, my insurance premiums went up 100% (my husband's company insurance) thanks to Obamacare. So I'm one of those who's NOT on the Obamacare bandwagon.

[Collegelady2]

$5000 deductible is a lot for her, it might as well be a million - she doesn't have either. There's also a 50% deductible. She's working a minimum wage job, and she's really poor. Technically, she has insurance, so the government can pat themselves on the back and say, oh, yes, we have so many people insured. Realistically, she does NOT have insurance, she can't afford the deductible, and she can't afford the copay.

Also, my insurance premiums went up 100% (my husband's company insurance) thanks to Obamacare. So I'm one of those who's NOT on the Obamacare bandwagon.

Minimum wage job? How is she not eligible for Medicaid or at least a very very large subsidy from Obamacare doesn't sound right.