FARK.com: (6937261) "He says too many Americans lean on taxpayers, yet depends on a federal subsidy called the earned-income tax credit. He signed up his 3 kids to eat free meals at federal expense. And Medicare paid for his mom's hip surgery twice"

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		"He says too many Americans lean on taxpayers, yet depends on a federal subsidy called the earned-income tax credit. He signed up his 3 kids to eat free meals at federal expense. And Medicare paid for his mom's hip surgery twice" (nytimes.com)		318
		More: Stupid, medicare, Americans, American middle class, safety nets, extreme poverty, subsidies, expenses, meals

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ghare		2012-02-12 11:49:54 AM

"Dean P. Lacy, a professor of political science at Dartmouth College, has identified a twist on that theme in American politics over the last generation. Support for Republican candidates, who generally promise to cut government spending, has increased since 1980 in states where the federal government spends more than it collects. The greater the dependence, the greater the support for Republican candidates.

Conversely, states that pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits tend to support Democratic candidates. And Professor Lacy found that the pattern could not be explained by demographics or social issues."

So they're junkies blaming their dealers.

Aarontology		2012-02-12 11:53:27 AM

Maybe if he focused all those efforts he spends on making sure the government stays out of his life on working harder, he wouldn't need the government to pay for his life.

ecmoRandomNumbers		2012-02-12 11:59:00 AM

Stupid like this should cause cancer.

Benevolent Misanthrope		2012-02-12 12:00:10 PM

ghare: "Dean P. Lacy, a professor of political science at Dartmouth College, has identified a twist on that theme in American politics over the last generation. Support for Republican candidates, who generally promise to cut government spending, has increased since 1980 in states where the federal government spends more than it collects. The greater the dependence, the greater the support for Republican candidates.

Conversely, states that pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits tend to support Democratic candidates. And Professor Lacy found that the pattern could not be explained by demographics or social issues."

So they're junkies blaming their dealers.

No, they're charity cases who are embarrassed about that and insist they're not - to themselves and anyone who will listen. They're so embarrassed, they've convinced themselves that there is no way they could possibly be taking money and services from the government. Politicians play on that and tell them what they want to hear, so they'll vote for them.

Aarontology		2012-02-12 12:03:21 PM

Benevolent Misanthrope: No, they're charity cases who are embarrassed about that and insist they're not - to themselves and anyone who will listen. They're so embarrassed, they've convinced themselves that there is no way they could possibly be taking money and services from the government. Politicians play on that and tell them what they want to hear, so they'll vote for them.

While still taking the benefits they believe shouldn't exist for other people.

DrRatchet		2012-02-12 12:06:57 PM

Aarontology: While still taking the benefits they believe shouldn't exist for other people

While still taking the benefits they don't believe are benefits. It's a Tax Credit, man.

Benevolent Misanthrope		2012-02-12 12:09:52 PM

Aarontology: Benevolent Misanthrope: No, they're charity cases who are embarrassed about that and insist they're not - to themselves and anyone who will listen. They're so embarrassed, they've convinced themselves that there is no way they could possibly be taking money and services from the government. Politicians play on that and tell them what they want to hear, so they'll vote for them.

While still taking the benefits they believe shouldn't exist for other people.

They're so keen to feel bootstrappy and Real American, they can't face up to the fact that they're taking anything at all. And so they can;t see that their opposition to government programs will directly affect them. The cognitive disconnect may seem astounding - but remember the correlation of religion and teabaggerism. This is small potatoes compared to that.

markie_farkie		2012-02-12 12:17:10 PM

And what about all that government assistance in the form of roads? If he was 1/100th as bootstrappy has he claims, he'd forge his own path, and shun the paved world.

NewportBarGuy		2012-02-12 12:22:42 PM

What an excellent report. highly recommend the videos.

what_now		2012-02-12 12:25:02 PM

Early yesterday morning, Valerie and Rob Shirk corralled their 10 homeschooled children into their van for the 2 1/2-hour drive from their home in Connecticut to Boston, arriving just in time to hear Sarah Palin denounce government-run health care at the tea party movement rally on Boston Common.

For the Shirks, it was a day for their children to seek inspiration from Palin and the other speakers, who questioned Obama's patriotism and at least one of whom referred to him repeatedly as Barack Hussein.

The couple, who rely on Medicaid for their health care, were also upset about the nation's new health reforms.

When asked why her family used state-subsidized health care when she criticized people who take handouts, Valerie Shirk said she did not want to stop having children, and that her husband's income was not enough to cover the family with private insurance.

"I know there's a dichotomy because of what we get from the state,'' she said. "But I just look at each of my children as a blessing.''

markie_farkie		2012-02-12 12:28:55 PM

what_now: When asked why her family used state-subsidized health care when she criticized people who take handouts, Valerie Shirk said she did not want to stop having children, and that her husband's income was not enough to cover the family with private insurance.

"I know there's a dichotomy because of what we get from the state,'' she said. "But I just look at each of my children as a blessing.''

The rest of us see you as a selfish coont who doesn't know when to quick farking her husband and her fellow citizens.

Go be an excessive tax burden somewhere else.

GAT_00		2012-02-12 12:28:59 PM

ecmoRandomNumbers: Stupid like this should cause cancer.

Di you have any idea how much health care costs would skyrocket if just being a Republican caused cancer?

Well, I'm assuming the person in question is GOP, I didn't read the article. You don't usually see Democrats dumb enough to rail against government spending while being so dependent on it.

Fifi Le Pew		2012-02-12 12:32:08 PM

The "do as I say, not as I do" party.

microdome		2012-02-12 12:35:12 PM

Eddie Adams from Torrance		2012-02-12 12:35:23 PM

Approves.

SilentStrider		2012-02-12 01:02:02 PM

GAT_00: ecmoRandomNumbers: Stupid like this should cause cancer.

Di you have any idea how much health care costs would skyrocket if just being a Republican caused cancer?

espescially now that it can't be denied as a pre-existing condition.

cameroncrazy1984		2012-02-12 01:06:38 PM

People are too dumb to see the connection between other people's benefits and their own benefits. That's why you get signs that say "Keep your government hands off my Medicare"

Lorelle		2012-02-12 01:33:57 PM

Typical ignorant Republican hypocrite.

Lionel Mandrake		2012-02-12 02:07:10 PM

Yet this year, as in each of the past three years, Mr. Gulbranson, 57, is counting on a payment of several thousand dollars from the federal government, a subsidy for working families called the earned-income tax credit. He has signed up his three school-age children to eat free breakfast and lunch at federal expense. And Medicare paid for his mother, 88, to have hip surgery twice.

I GOT MINE SO F*CK YOU!!

That really needs to be the Tea Party slogan

Weaver95		2012-02-12 02:08:09 PM

They are frustrated that they need help, feel guilty for taking it and resent the government for providing it.

fear leads to hatred, hatred leads to suffering, suffering leads to the dark side (or in this case, voting for the tea baggers)....yeah, yeah, we get it.

Chameleon		2012-02-12 02:17:08 PM

Through it all, he has never made more than about $46,000 in a year.

Meanwhile, the cost of life - and of raising five children - has climbed inexorably.

How much do you want to bet that at some point in this guy's life he's complained about ~~black people~~ welfare queens having more kids than they can afford?

AdolfOliverPanties		2012-02-12 02:18:01 PM

I don't think of the EITC as a subsidy. If you qualify for a tax break, then you should take it. I don't mind when anyone legally takes advantage of tax laws in their favor.

Obviously, a lot of the loopholes that favor the extremely wealthy and corporations have to be closed, so they actually pay taxes at a reasonable rate.

vartian		2012-02-12 02:19:09 PM

what_now:

"I know there's a dichotomy because of what we get from the state,'' she said. "But I just look at each of my children as a blessing.''

My kids are a blessing, but that biatch welfare queen and her thugs are feeding of the government, right? fark you, coont.

ib_thinkin		2012-02-12 02:22:42 PM

SilentStrider: espescially now that it can't be denied as a pre-existing condition.

You should know that it still can up until 2014. That part of the ACA only went into effect immediately for children. Not too many Republican children, fortunately.

/friend diagnosed with cancer in fall of 2011
//she owes $350,000
///preexisting condition, lol

Kumana Wanalaia		2012-02-12 02:24:10 PM

You fools. If only we'd turned social security into private accounts invested in the stock market, we'd all be rich now.

Rich. RICH!

Warlordtrooper		2012-02-12 02:26:14 PM

Obvious tag waiting in Line for its benefits?

king cranium maximus IV		2012-02-12 02:27:03 PM

simsite9		2012-02-12 02:27:20 PM

If this isn't ripe for the OBVIOUS tag, nothing ever will be.

I wouldn't vote for Ron Paul, and I don't agree with everything he says, but I do not believe the man is a hypocrite. This "patriot" is a hypocrite. When he says he doesn't want help from the federal government, he means doesn't want help for anyone else. I hope he chokes to death on a sandwich.

Quadruple Entendre		2012-02-12 02:28:17 PM

A woman who was 45 in 2010, earning $43,500 a year, will pay taxes that will reach a value of $87,000 by the time she retires...but on average, the government will then spend $275,000 on her medical care.

Sounds sustainable to me!

theorellior		2012-02-12 02:30:48 PM

Eddie Adams from Torrance: Approves.

Was waiting for him to show up.

MyRandomName		2012-02-12 02:32:07 PM

ghare: "Dean P. Lacy, a professor of political science at Dartmouth College, has identified a twist on that theme in American politics over the last generation. Support for Republican candidates, who generally promise to cut government spending, has increased since 1980 in states where the federal government spends more than it collects. The greater the dependence, the greater the support for Republican candidates.

Conversely, states that pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits tend to support Democratic candidates. And Professor Lacy found that the pattern could not be explained by demographics or social issues."

So they're junkies blaming their dealers.

Ghare, do you know what shared benefit is. If you do, do you not know why the state taxation chart you are referring to us retarded? Freeways in small population states do reduce coastal product costs despite your ignorance. Military bases are a shared benefit despite your ignorance. Various mining and tree subsidies reduce your costs despite your ignorance. Should I go on why people who refer to that chart are idiots?

tenpoundsofcheese		2012-02-12 02:32:39 PM

so what? do you want his mom to not use medicare because of the views of her son?

NYT is really sinking. no wonder they are losing so much money.

SubBass49		2012-02-12 02:32:57 PM

"Don't tread on me."

/it'd be hard to...don't know if I could step high enough to get my foot over your girth.

theorellior		2012-02-12 02:33:08 PM

what_now: "I know there's a dichotomy because of what we get from the state,'' she said. "But I just look at each of my children as a blessing.''

This sounds like the woman who was quoted in the Globe after the big Tea Party rally in Boston Common in 2010, and it makes me facepalm every time I hear it.

Fark these people.

bgddy24601		2012-02-12 02:33:38 PM

THAT'S the Chisago way.

bacccc		2012-02-12 02:34:26 PM

Fox News told him what to think. Do yo have a better explanation why the Fox demographic continues to vote against its best interest?

/Joe the Plumber anyone?

lennavan		2012-02-12 02:34:29 PM

ghare: So they're junkies blaming their dealers.

Heh, well put.

They are frustrated that they need help, feel guilty for taking it and resent the government for providing it.

FARK YOU BAREBACK HUSSEIN nObAMA FOR PROVIDING FOR OUR NEEDS

dehehn		2012-02-12 02:34:45 PM

Yeah, my dad does the same. Collects social security, uses Medicare, doesn't marry his girlfriend so they can continue to collect her dead husband's military benefits and allows his daughter to live off of her disability social security so he doesn't have to take care of her. And of course he's a rabid AM radio listener and wants Mitt Romney to fix the holes in our safety net by drastically cutting spending on it.

Grand_Moff_Joseph		2012-02-12 02:35:04 PM

FTFA:

"And as more middle-class families like the Gulbransons land in the safety net in Chisago and similar communities, anger at the government has increased alongside. Many people say they are angry because the government is wasting money and giving money to people who do not deserve it. But more than that, they say they want to reduce the role of government in their own lives. They are frustrated that they need help, feel guilty for taking it and resent the government for providing it. They say they want less help for themselves; less help in caring for relatives; less assistance when they reach old age. "

WTF?! That would win triple gold in the mental gymnastic olympics!

simsite9		2012-02-12 02:35:12 PM

Typical Chisago-style politics...

tenpoundsofcheese		2012-02-12 02:35:18 PM

Kumana Wanalaia: You fools. If only we'd turned social security into private accounts invested in the stock market, we'd all be rich now.

Rich. RICH!

just curious, do you know where the money goes when someone decides to invest in the stock market?

theorellior		2012-02-12 02:35:24 PM

MyRandomName: Ghare, do you know what shared benefit is.

You're asking the wrong person. Ask one of these dumbass mouth-breathers if they understand what "shared benefit" is. Obviously they only understand "Fark you I got mine."

Mrbogey		2012-02-12 02:36:25 PM

Why can't someone criticize federal spending when they've used federal money in the past?

Can people who have called 911 never criticize the police?

theorellior		2012-02-12 02:37:11 PM

tenpoundsofcheese: just curious, do you know where the money goes when someone decides to invest in the stock market?

The glorious land of capitalist ROI unicorns and magical interest-bearing corporate instruments?

king cranium maximus IV		2012-02-12 02:37:33 PM

tenpoundsofcheese: so what? do you want his mom to not use medicare because of the views of her son?

Yes.

meat0918		2012-02-12 02:37:36 PM

I. Give. Up.

elchip		2012-02-12 02:38:28 PM

Reminds me of my wife's uberconservative uncle had zero problem getting emergency Medicaid for his daughter when she had an "I didn't know I was pregnant" incident... Yet rails against socialism all the time.

Sabyen91		2012-02-12 02:38:34 PM

You know, Chisago, the government isn't going to force you to take the EIC credit. They aren't going to come by your house with an oversized check with your name on it for foodstamps. You have to go out and actually apply for benefits. I have an idea. Don't.

treecologist		2012-02-12 02:38:42 PM

It's the old "it's OK when I do it" problem.

NYT ran a story several years ago about women at an abortion clinic in the midwest. Most of the women seeking abortions thought they should be illegal. When asked why they were getting an abortion, they explained that their situation was special and they didn't have a choice.

Why are so many people like this?