Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Welfare Debate

Every year Todd files his taxes early so he can get his rebate as soon as possible. Every year he complains that his brother, who makes very little money, gets back all the taxes that were withheld from his check, plus a nice bundle on top of that. He hates that people are able to survive on welfare. He hates that he has to pay extra taxes so his brother can get extra money.

This year when he started talking about his brother and taxes I was prepared. "So, Todd, you take all the welfare that you are offered, right?"

"Yeah, right. Like I am offered ANY welfare."

"What about your deduction for all 3 of your kids? What about the interest you write off of your mortgage? Isn't that the government deciding that you deserve a little more than everyone else because you have kids and a house?"

Steve and Todd both went silent. Todd was so angry that I would imply that he accepts a handout that his face turned bright red and he turned to face his computer and started typing.

An hour later, he turned around and weakly asked, "Don't you write off your kids and mortgage interest?"

Of course I do. But I can accept that those programs are part of the welfare system. In private, Kurt told me that I should keep teasing Todd and Steve about welfare because it makes them both very angry.

The debate got out of control today. Steve was complaining that his sister lived in low income housing and got paid to live because she had a baby and no job. Me and my big mouth blurted, "OH, So it is OK for you to accept your legitimate welfare, and because you make twice the national average you deserve it, but THOSE poor people getting THAT type of welfare are beneath government help." Much eye rolling ensued.

This afternoon, Steve sent an email with the following subject: Perhaps I don't feel so bad about receiving "welfare."

wel⋅fare –noun 1. the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being:

May we all have plentiful welfare for the rest of our lives.

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