Welfare in Maine (student loans, standard of living, cost)

[msina]

if welfare pays so well, and it's so easy to get,.... where's my check? J/K all

[flycessna]

I think it's important to understand we are really all saying the same thing. You cannot necessarily compare overall general tax information to make specific judgments for or against an entire state with respect to taxes or tax burden.

Every state has a tax structure that they use to deceptively extract enough monies from the people to run that state. That tax structure can be intertwined with municipal taxes and such. Basically every state has its own tax quagmire.

Forest has done what every red blooded American should do. Decipher that tax quagmire and use to your own advantage. I will be the first to admit that his plan would not work for me. It’s probably why I lean towards the side of feeling like I am over taxed.

Bottom line is where ever you are and where ever you plan to go you just have compare apples to apples as much as possible.

If you want to come to Maine you have to understand there are many different areas to the state that represent many different life styles and many different standards of living and different taxes.

[ShaneOsborne]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I did offer to compare mil rates.

You declined.

How would comparing MIL rates solve this argument. Did you even read my posts? MIL rate is one tax of many.

[mainer2]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Maine has a 5 year limit but doesn't inforce it (as of 2 years ago). I have had more exposer to people on welfare then I would "think" most else on this forum. IMO it is very much abused. It has become a significant part of Maine's economy. TONS of jobs depend on it.

Mainers are better off using the welfare system as they get the equivilent of 60K per year. The state doesn't attract high paying jobs. I don't blame them. Who wants to work for $7-$10 per hour which is considered high paying in maine. As a taxpayer...I don't mind feeding and clothing fellow americans. It's merely a tiny portion of taxpayer dollars and much more tax dollars are wasted on things less important than feeding fellow americans. Happy to support fellow Americans and Grateful that I don't have to use the Welfare system myself as I'm fortunate enough to have a great career.

[mainer2]

This is exactly right. They're better off using the system...otherwise they wouldn't ever be able to get by. Heating oil is $1000 per month...health care for a family plan is $1400 per month....rent, mortgage, auto ins., car payment and add food to that...it's impossible for most mainers.. They can work and never, ever get by....they'd freeze and starve w/ out help. There just aren't jobs available in the Northern part of the state to support a family...God Bless them. They should take full advantage and get the state to pay for nursing school or some sort of career in the medical field as those are about the only decent paying careers w/ a need. Maine needs to attract better employers by lowering the tax burden for prospective employers. Many companies consider Maine as the work force is incredible. They then look at the tax burden...and RUN the other way. There is NO incentive for a corporation to bring decent jobs to Maine...AT ALL. The few that do choose Northern Maine get voted out by elderly folks beyond working age...that don't want new business or any change in Maine. Working age folks need to Vote. Catch 22.

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I don't now if this forum will accept formatted columns, but we are about to find out.

- - -

talk about a disincentive; These numbers are nearly three years old. They are higher now.
These are the numbers for the benefits available for a
Single Mom with 2 children making minimum wage in Maine.

Benefit Hourly Weekly Annually
Min Wage $6.50 $260 $13,520
ASPIRE $6.25 $250 $13,000
Food Stamps $2.50 $100 $5,200
TANF $2.88 $115 $5,980
MaineCare $6.25 $250 $13,000
Misc Reimb. $1.00 $40 $2,080 Transportation, Clothes, Auto Repair…
Federal Taxes $2.27 $91 $4,716 Earned Income Credit
State Taxes $0.00 $0 $0
Social Security Taxes ($0.50) ($20) ($1,034) Pay 7.65% SS


hourly weekly annually
NET INCOME AFTER TAXES $27.15 $1,086 $56,462
Including State Paid Benefits

[msina]

I'd like to see the facts that show welfare recipients are getting 60k a year in benefits. We don't even qualify for food stamps (I applied for LIHEAP they automatically sent in a form to the Food stamp program). I can't get Mainecare either as our income from Soc Sec is "too high". All of our prescriptions, glasses, dental etc. must be paid out of pocket. I broke a tooth recently, $62 to exray and look at it, tomorrow I go to have it removed (I can't afford to cap it), that's $182. Just trying to find a dentist that will see you without insurance is difficult, if they will take you, they want full payment at the time of the appointment. That's a lot of money for some of us. I know there are people in far worse situations as well that aren't eligable for help. It's hard to ask for help when you need it, harder still to be told there's no help available.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by mainer2

This is exactly right. They're better off using the system...otherwise they wouldn't ever be able to get by. Heating oil is $1000 per month...health care for a family plan is $1400 per month....rent, mortgage, auto ins., car payment and add food to that...it's impossible for most mainers.. They can work and never, ever get by....they'd freeze and starve w/ out help. There just aren't jobs available in the Northern part of the state to support a family...God Bless them. They should take full advantage and get the state to pay for nursing school or some sort of career in the medical field as those are about the only decent paying careers w/ a need. Maine needs to attract better employers by lowering the tax burden for prospective employers. Many companies consider Maine as the work force is incredible. They then look at the tax burden...and RUN the other way. There is NO incentive for a corporation to bring decent jobs to Maine...AT ALL. The few that do choose Northern Maine get voted out by elderly folks beyond working age...that don't want new business or any change in Maine. Working age folks need to Vote. Catch 22.

you say,,they look at the tax burden and the businesses run,,and also state,, that more people should take advantage of the system
wtf????
perhaps the tax burden is so high,,BECAUSE so many folks are using the system..

and i completely disagree with you take on why would anyone work for 7-10 an hr,,,,, just give up suck off the state nipple..where do you think taxes come from??? is everything FREE to you,,?
when you give something free to someone,,you are taking it away from someone else,,,

[msina]

" you must spread some yada yada" good post MBM

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by mainer2

Mainers are better off using the welfare system as they get the equivilent of 60K per year...

Was this the first number you pulled out of your hat? because it truly is that random....

[deerislesmile]

Until someone can pull up some reputable sources for these "facts" of people recieving welfare that is upwards (in value) of $60,000 a year, I'm going to go along not believing it. Show me the proof!

Even with the itemized list previously posted, there are great inaccuracies. Just because these programs are *potentially* available to help limited income people does not mean that they can take advantage of them all, nor does it mean that they are all going to recieve the maximum benefit from those programs.

What about senior citizens who are recieving food stamps, MaineCare, subsidized housing and heat assistance? Should they also "just give up suck off the state nipple"? Get out there and find jobs?