What government programs have you benefited from?

[goldcatt]

Well, one program I am about to become thankful for is "unemployment".

Not going to like being on it, but I paid for it, so, until I find a new job, I'm using it.

Immie

About 2 weeks ago I was put on part-time layoff, so I filed my first unemployment claim too. The way I see it is I've been working full-time for how many years, with my unemployment premiums (officially or unofficially) deducted from my pay. I earned it.

It sucks, but it could always be worse. Now if they'd just fix the typo they made in my address so they can start actually paying my claim I'd be in good shape.

 

[goldcatt]

See what you get with 21 years of public schools and $70k in government guaranteed student loans?

 

[Immanuel]

Well, one program I am about to become thankful for is "unemployment".

Not going to like being on it, but I paid for it, so, until I find a new job, I'm using it.

Immie

I'm sorry to hear that.

If it is any consolation, last year I paid less than $10 per employee for unemployment. This year it will be slightly over $150 per employee.

Are you in Florida by any chance? Hiring a darned good controller by any chance?

I know Florida rates skyrocketed like that as well. We weren't hit as hard because we had been suffering layoffs for a couple of years already and our rate was already maxed, but I know many Florida businesses were hit hard like that this year.

Immie

 

[Ravi]

Well, one program I am about to become thankful for is "unemployment".

Not going to like being on it, but I paid for it, so, until I find a new job, I'm using it.

Immie

I'm sorry to hear that.

If it is any consolation, last year I paid less than $10 per employee for unemployment. This year it will be slightly over $150 per employee.

Are you in Florida by any chance? Hiring a darned good controller by any chance?

I know Florida rates skyrocketed like that as well. We weren't hit as hard because we had been suffering layoffs for a couple of years already and our rate was already maxed, but I know many Florida businesses were hit hard like that this year.

Immie

Yes, I'm in Florida. Sadly, I am only in the position to make sure those that now work for me stay employed.

 

[Modbert]

See what you get with 21 years of public schools and $70k in government guaranteed student loans?

$70k?

 

[Ravi]

Hey, Immie...that high speed rail thing between Orlando and Tampa is a go...maybe you could get in with that with your experience as a controller? From what I understand, they are hiring local people to stimulate the local economy.

 

[goldcatt]

See what you get with 21 years of public schools and $70k in government guaranteed student loans?

$70k?

Don't fall over, lots of people end up with six figures plus. Especially if they go private. Be wise young padawan, and fill out those scholarship forms!

 

[Modbert]

Don't fall over, lots of people end up with six figures plus. Especially if they go private. Be wise young padawan, and fill out those scholarship forms!

Trust me, I know.

Those costs can add up. Though the biggest racket other than tuition has to be cost of books. I remember paying what I did semester and was just like

 

[Care4all]

-Had a chimney fire-Fire Dept help
-Internet broadband service, although it is crappy...my rural area would not have it at all if it were not for government intervention
-collected unemployment once in 25 years of working
-gvt funded schools 12 years, some public, some on military bases
-free medical and dental care on military bases until I was 18
-public water and sewer most of my life, though now i have my own well and septic
-husband- a monthly Veterans Disability check and his medical care at the veterans hospital or clinic is free
-National Parks, especially Acadia National Park
-Main roads near the house and in town are snow plowed, but not my private road
-benefit from local hospitals, doctors, nurses technologists and research and development in the medical and science field...funded by the gvt.
-microwave ovens and tang and ovaltine, tv dinners and computer advancement from the space program
-air traffic control-the FAA and commercial and business travel

 

[Care4all]

Well, one program I am about to become thankful for is "unemployment".

Not going to like being on it, but I paid for it, so, until I find a new job, I'm using it.

Immie

About 2 weeks ago I was put on part-time layoff, so I filed my first unemployment claim too. The way I see it is I've been working full-time for how many years, with my unemployment premiums (officially or unofficially) deducted from my pay. I earned it.

It sucks, but it could always be worse. Now if they'd just fix the typo they made in my address so they can start actually paying my claim I'd be in good shape.

Your employer pays the unemployment insurance, that is why you normally have to pay taxes on the income you draw from it, because you were never taxed for it...(the stimulus bill took away owing taxes on it temporarily)

But the employer does usually prorate the cost of this insurance in to your total compensation.

 

[goldcatt]

Well, one program I am about to become thankful for is "unemployment".

Not going to like being on it, but I paid for it, so, until I find a new job, I'm using it.

Immie

About 2 weeks ago I was put on part-time layoff, so I filed my first unemployment claim too. The way I see it is I've been working full-time for how many years, with my unemployment premiums (officially or unofficially) deducted from my pay. I earned it.

It sucks, but it could always be worse. Now if they'd just fix the typo they made in my address so they can start actually paying my claim I'd be in good shape.

Your employer pays the unemployment insurance, that is why you normally have to pay taxes on the income you draw from it, because you were never taxed for it...(the stimulus bill took away owing taxes on it temporarily)

But the employer does usually prorate the cost of this insurance in to your total compensation.

That's why I said "officially or unofficially". My UEC premiums were about $1000 last year. Of course I made less because of it. So I don't really see that as a "handout", it's insurance I paid for even though I didn't write the checks.

And when you're talking about products that came from the space program don't forget velcro! What would kids do without it?

 

[Paulie]

Don't fall over, lots of people end up with six figures plus. Especially if they go private. Be wise young padawan, and fill out those scholarship forms!

Trust me, I know.

Those costs can add up. Though the biggest racket other than tuition has to be cost of books. I remember paying what I did semester and was just like

ebay, homey. Or half.com Or amazon.

Don't EVER pay full price at the school stores.

 

[Immanuel]

I'm sorry to hear that.

If it is any consolation, last year I paid less than $10 per employee for unemployment. This year it will be slightly over $150 per employee.

Are you in Florida by any chance? Hiring a darned good controller by any chance?

I know Florida rates skyrocketed like that as well. We weren't hit as hard because we had been suffering layoffs for a couple of years already and our rate was already maxed, but I know many Florida businesses were hit hard like that this year.

Immie

Yes, I'm in Florida. Sadly, I am only in the position to make sure those that now work for me stay employed.

I understand how that is!

I have been doing my damnedest to keep the guys in our shop employed. It hasn't been easy and obviously, my time ran out.

I wish my previous employer the best and a quick turn around in business because I know they are struggling and I don't believe this cut will be enough.

Immie

 

[Darkwind]

I recall one or two libertarians...or conservatives (one won't admit to being either one) admitting they took government subsidized student loans, admitting they got back more tax money than they paid in, admitted that as kids they lived off of disability social security from a parents death, admitted they got free lunch because they qualified for it...and various other benefits and it got me wondering.

What government programs have you benefited from?

Here's my list, as far as I recall.

6 years of public school.
Clean water.
Uncontaminated food.
4 years publicly funded school buses.
Military protection.
Clear roads.
$250 from FEMA for hurricane damage.
Federally underwritten flood insurance.
4 years of publicly funded school for each of two kids.
1 year of bus services for 1 kid.
Scholarship for 1 kid underwritten by the state.

You only made it to 5th grade?

 

[goldcatt]

Don't fall over, lots of people end up with six figures plus. Especially if they go private. Be wise young padawan, and fill out those scholarship forms!

Trust me, I know.

Those costs can add up. Though the biggest racket other than tuition has to be cost of books. I remember paying what I did semester and was just like

ebay, homey. Or half.com Or amazon.

Don't EVER pay full price at the school stores.

Pre-highlighted was always good, it saved me all the time and effort of figuring out what was important all by myself.

 

[Modbert]

ebay, homey. Or half.com Or amazon.

Don't EVER pay full price at the school stores.

I buy online when I can. However, very difficult when the book is a brand new edition or the book itself is customized. I did end up saving at least $200 though through the off campus bookstore alone.

Last semester I was lucky. I only spent in reality about $30 after selling back all the books I'd never need again.

But thanks.

 

[Paulie]

ebay, homey. Or half.com Or amazon.

Don't EVER pay full price at the school stores.

I buy online when I can. However, very difficult when the book is a brand new edition or the book itself is customized. I did end up saving at least $200 though through the off campus bookstore alone.

Last semester I was lucky. I only spent in reality about $30 after selling back all the books I'd never need again.

But thanks.

I just picked up a Crim book for one of my classes off of ebay, brand new edition just starting to be used, and I saved about $100 as opposed to the school store.

If you have the luxury in any of your classes to wait until the semester already started and get the book late, you'll usually find prices drop because demand drops.

And then you resell at a premium right around the last minute before semesters start

 

[Modbert]

I just picked up a Crim book for one of my classes off of ebay, brand new edition just starting to be used, and I saved about $100 as opposed to the school store.

If you have the luxury in any of your classes to wait until the semester already started and get the book late, you'll usually find prices drop because demand drops.

That is usually the case. However, the classes I was taking were classes I needed the book for right away (math ones) or gen ed courses which sell out quickly and would result in having to wait at least a week with no book.

I had to buy a Criminology book for my Crime & Justice class.

Officially training to be Batman.

 

[Paulie]

I just picked up a Crim book for one of my classes off of ebay, brand new edition just starting to be used, and I saved about $100 as opposed to the school store.

If you have the luxury in any of your classes to wait until the semester already started and get the book late, you'll usually find prices drop because demand drops.

That is usually the case. However, the classes I was taking were classes I needed the book for right away (math ones) or gen ed courses which sell out quickly and would result in having to wait at least a week with no book.

I had to buy a Criminology book for my Crime & Justice class.

Officially training to be Batman.

Eh, what's one week when you can save that kind of money

 

[Modbert]

Eh, what's one week when you can save that kind of money

I like to work ahead. That way if I have any trouble in the future, I know exactly what to ask. (Least for math anyway)

This weekend excluding tonight is going to be a busy one. Going to be doing various work for five classes. But that's college for you.