Why were people fine with the old stimulus cutoff but not this one?

[Kaleva]

Why is someone who made just over $80k in 2019 so much more in need then someone who made just over $99k in 2019?

[catbyte]

1. I'm just worried that those folks who made $99K in 2019 didn't make that kind of money in 2020.

IF that's the case, I hope they file their 2020 taxes to reflect the loss.

[Tribetime]

12. But they will eventually get the money or the credit

I mailed my taxes in in July certified mail and they just got them at the end of December and they're say they're missing one form and now I still in essence haven't officially filed my taxes for last year because of the post office so I'm in the same boat. And I didn't make but about 20,000

[The Magistrate]

2. The Pointlessness Of The Exercise Rankles, Sir

All that is achieved is a spectacle of weak waffling rather than determined strength of purpose. No one, anywhere, is going to vote for a Senator because he or she made sure some fraction of the populace did not get the full amount of the relief disbursed, but it is likely some people may vote against a Senator who saw to this.

This is a circumstance in which 'go big or go home' ought to be the watchword, along with 'too much is not enough'. The first is certainly true politically, the second is certainly true of the country's situation.

[Kaleva]

6. I think what folks will recall is that those expecting $1400 will be getting $1400

[Tommymac]

42. +1

[radius777]

49. Exactly, just give people the money.

As long as they're not a millionaire it's just smarter politically to abandon means testing and just give people the money. Tax the rich to pay for it.

[leftstreet]

3. Why are politicians fine with $$ to the military but not us?

probably a better question

Did the DOD face a !% budget cut and freak out?

[Hoyt]

5. One reason is that those are some of the best paying jobs the country has to offer. Not saying it

should be that way, but it is.

[underpants]

32. The large military bases are in the South. Southern GOP wraps itself in the flag

when really the money is a jobs program. Tidewater VA and Killeen TX would be a 64th of what they are now without Uncle Sucker money pouring in.

[sarcasmo]

39. The QGOP love's giving money to the airline industry.

[Hoyt]

4. Tend to agree. Seems to me the stimulus should go to those with lower incomes due to CV19 AND those

who actually suffered say a 10% loss in income during the pandemic up to a maximum income. That is predicated on any saved money going to keep the unemployment weekly amount at higher levels and for a longer period, and maybe increase the $1400 a bit for those making less say less that $15/hour.

And, yes, I would lose out under that scheme.

The people hurt by CV19 were those who lost income, particularly the unemployed (and, of course, who were sick or sadly died -- there should be a benefit for them).

[Kaleva]

8. I'm not far above the poverty line and I don't actually need it.

But I'll certainly spend it locally if and when it is direct deposited into my account.

[Hoyt]

15. Oh, I will too. I've read your discussions before and agree that those hurt by CV19 should be main

concern. I'd rather see them get more money, than those who weren't hurt. I can't get upset about people who are legitimately barely getting by getting something extra though.

[Kaleva]

23. It'd be fine with me if it all went to folks who needed it for rent, food, utilities, mortgage, etc.

[wellst0nev0ter]

7. This change saves $12 billion

Or less than 1% of the stimulus bill, if you want to do the math.

Why are some Democrats so obsessed with going further with the means testing?

It costs more, pisses people off and it saves dogshit.

Call out the Manchins on this bullshit.

[Kaleva]

9. Would you prefer there be no income limit to getting the money?

Everybody, regardless of income, would get $1400, if they have already gotten the $600, or $2000 if they hadn't gotten the $600.

[leftstreet]

10. Yes

why not?

means testing is mean

[Kaleva]

22. It's not going to happen but i wouldn't have a problem with that.

[wellst0nev0ter]

11. If you're so obsessed with millionaires getting checks

Then tax them back the money.

Holy hell, this is not complicated.

[Kaleva]

16. I'm not obsessed. It'd be fine with me.

I'm just wondering why no one that I recall made a fuss about the income cutoff under the first stimulus package but seem to be having major problems with this one. Even though those who made $75k or less will still get the full amount as they did last year.

[wellst0nev0ter]

24. Are you kidding? The left never wanted any caps in the first place

Now that the Dems are in control, not only are we keeping the eligibility caps, we're tightening them? Of course you're going to get pushback.

[Kaleva]

26. I may be wrong but I don't recall anyone arguing against caps last year here at all.

[panader0]

13. It's too bad the stimulus can't be tied to a persons area.

Obviously some urban areas cost much more to live than some rural areas.
Like you said above, I too am near the "poverty" level (below), but I don't really
need the money. But if I get it, and I'm sure I will, I'll spend every bit of it, and that
helps the economy.

[underpants]

33. That's no accident.

In the reddest areas this is a lot of money. Blue urban areas it’s not. This is reward and punishment.

[kcr]

14. This is a big gift to the Republicans. We might as well write the ads for them.

Trump gave you checks we didn't! Go ahead and vote us out in 2022 and 2024! You're welcome!

[Kaleva]

17. So you got a check last time but you won't this time?

[irisblue]

27. you know you are going to be alerted on for this comment right?

cause it sure looks like a personal attack

[kcr]

28. Feel free I guess

[irisblue]

31. naah. you types your words, you takes your chances with a jury

[11 Bravo]

35. I'm catching similar noise on another thread.

But I think their heart is in the right place, we simply disagree.

And alerts were never my thing anyway.

So it goes.

[irisblue]

36. I love our passionate caring natures, but sometimes you gotta step back and take in fresh air

put on some non verbal music for an hour

[11 Bravo]

37. I'm heading in that direction even as we speak.

Have a great evening.

[bullwinkle428]

40. I'm in that position. Received a check of $341 in December; won't get squat this time.

Again, as many others have said, this absolutely will not "make or break me". I'm very fortunate - I've been gainfully employed for many, many years, and have not had to spend on children or anything like that, being a single and childless loser!

But there certainly will be people in this group that will say "Trump gave me 2 checks, and now I'm not getting shit from Biden". I realize they're looking at through a ridiculously oversimplified lens, but "it is what it is".

[Kaleva]

46. I don't see Dems voting R in 2022 because of this.

Nor do I see many Indies doing the same.

This part will benefit many:

"Previously, parents or guardians could only claim the bonus for dependents under 17. Now the bonus can be claimed for college students, disabled adults, and other adults who are dependents."

https://www.yahoo.com/money/stimulus-checks-thresholds-leave-12-million-without-payments-193010038.html

[budkin]

18. It's stupid and unforced

WHY is Biden compromising with himself?

[Kaleva]

20. But you were fine with the old income cutoff? If, so, why?

[budkin]

21. I was not.

I'm just saying this whole "cutoff" thing is not necessary.

[msfiddlestix]

25. I've been living on roughly 11, 000 annually for the past several years

It ain't easy, but I live very frugally. Have to. or I'll be out on the streets.

I'm not even sure I'm getting a dime on this round.

Whatever happens, i'm grateful for what I did receive in the last two.

[padfun]

29. If you dont really need the stimulus money, then go spend and tip large

I have been ordering takeout and the bill might be $25, so I give them $40 and tell them to keep the change.

They usually give me more on my order and sometimes its too much.

[Kaleva]

30. I'll most likely spend it hiring a local carpenter to get some work around the house done.

[underpants]

34. Yes we have a couple projects and then we'll donate

[dsc]

38. For two reasons

One, it is political mal practice. 12 million likely voters will have gotten a check under Trump and won't under Biden. That is stupidity on steroids.

Two, it creates a massive marginal tax rate for people who make between 75k and 80k who are single, especially single parents. Single childfree would face 22 + 7.65 + 28 = 57.65 add in one child and it becomes 22 + 7.65 + 56 = 85.65 that is nothing short of nuts in a country where wealthy people pay at most a 40 marginal and in many cases 16.5.

[WHITT]

41. Because

the Dems made great gains in what were Repub suburbs, so now Manchin and the rest want to cut off the stimulus checks below them.

Bernie and some of his allies should vote NO. Go back to the original.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

43. I wasn't.

[Nictuku]

44. I would like to know!

I'm freaking pissed off about this change. I did make over 80K in 2019, but today, I am unemployed. And I will get zip, zilch, zero. Last time they took $600 off, but I still got something. But now, because of this cave, why? Because of Manchin?

I need new tires in a bad way, and that was how I was going to pay for them. My tires are bald. I live on a mountain, thankfully it doesn't snow here. But I'm worried about driving the windy mountain roads in the rain. If we get any.

I'm furious. My income is now 14K a year, but they are going by older tax records. FUCK!!!

[Kaleva]

48. The good news is that this package keeps the $400 a week unemployment addition

And this will run till August. Giving you an extra $1600 a month for each month you remain unemployed.

[Nictuku]

50. I won't qualify for unemployment

I was basically forced into (voluntary) early retirement. But I will have to find another job because what I'll be getting isn't enough to pay the bills, and SS is still a few years away. I think I will just be OK then, but I have to fill the gap somehow.

4 people in my unit all got the same treatment. All of us had put in more than 20 years, and were at the top of the pay scale. And management wanted to get rid of us, and succeeded. My coworkers all have dual income for their households, and won't be looking for another job. But I take care of my mom and am the only income (she gets SS, but that covers her own insurance and expenses, I pay for the mortgage and utilities, and she helps out with food)

Anyway, I'm going to get by somehow. I just really had my eyes set on a new set of tires.

[Kaleva]

52. It took awhile for me to adjust to $1100 a month years ago.

To save money, I'd save the water i showered with, by bailing it out of the tub, into a storage tote, to use to flush the toilet. Another was to save the rinse water from the washing machine to use for washing the next load. I also kept the tstat set at 55 and most of my dinners consisted of boiled potatoes and cabbage as that was cheap.

As my debts were paid off and I got to be very good at frugal living, I now want for nothing.

Here is my current budget:

"Income

$1205 SSDI
+$142.29 VA pension
---------
$1347.29 Total

Monthly Expenses

$39.98 Home Phone, cell phone & internet
$100 LP Gas for heating and cooking primary home
$20 Natural Gas for heating and cooking second home
$145 Electricity primary home
$20 Electricity second home
$125 Property taxes and homeowners insurance primary home
$88 Property taxes and homeowners insurance second home
$15 Garbage pickup
$49 Water & sewer primary home
$43 Water & sewer second home
$11.99 Hulu
$9.50 Amazon Prime
$2 Wiki
$5 DU
$200 Food, personal hygiene
$12 Dog food
$10 My medication VA CoPay
$100 Miscellaneous, clothing
-----
$995.47 total expenses

$1347.29
-$995.47
------
$351.82 available for discretionary spending"

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215054998

[liskddksil]

45. Big difference between 80k and 100k

12 million affected. In major metro areas 80k is not a lot, especially with increased cost of living expenses this year, as well as crippling student debt.

[Kaleva]

47. So you were fine with the cutoffs of the previous stimulus payments?

That those people didn't need any help even if their circumstances had changed?

[durablend]

51. "If you got a check under Trump, you'll get one under Biden"

Why is this so difficult for us and have to keep kicking ourselves in the ass?

[Autumn]

54. People weren't fine with it, its an accepted fact that Republicans do as little as

possible for as few people as possible. Democrats as a rule, want to help all people.