Just found I am recipient of a social program

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

So, I finished the payment book on my wife's student loan, and was expecting a new one 2 months ago. Alas, none came. So finally we called them up asking where the new payment book was, because you just KNOW that they were going to hit us with all sorts of panalties and wreck our credit and blame it on us for not paying for 2 months.

Anyway, turns out that becuase my wife went back to school part time, they defferred our payments until 2009. YES!

But, (here's the "social program" part) I asked if I could continue paying, because I didn't want another 4 years of interest to acrue. They said that the gov't pays that interest until the deferrment is up.
Hooray!

But wait, is this one of those social programs? Should I just continue to pay the loan even though it is defferred, so that the gov't won't have to foot the bill for the interest?

I say no, because in my mind, as a taxpayer, I've already paid for this program and now I'm just receiving what I've paid for in taxes already.

Thoughts?

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 6:44 am Post subject:

I'd say you're OK.

Being a contributing member of society should, and does, work both ways.

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 6:46 am Post subject:

its actually impressive a person with your political leanings wouldn't feel entitled.

Cheerleader · Soul Rider Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 362

As a taxpayer, I am glad to hear that some of the money is going towards helping other people with education.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

cameraboy, from a purely financial advisory point of view, I would recommend one of three things (or a combination of them):

1) Continue to pay on the principal to lower debt load
2) Use $$ saved to pay off other debt (boat, car, etc.)
3) Take money that would otherwise be spent on the student loan and put it into a ROTH IRA.

If you need the money now, then disregard the above. If you can afford to keep paying, then pick one of the above (or a combination of them).

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

I'm all for money for education from the gov't. I think our beef with social programs is the people who live scott free off the gov't with no plans to change.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Chavez, I think we cross-posted, as I decided on putting the payment towards my boat.

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 6:55 am Post subject:

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

cameraboy, that is a smart move. Student Loans carry much lower interest rates anyhow, so deflecting some cash into a debt with a higher rate is usually a good idea.

We are working a similar scenario now with my wife's student loans.

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:

No, I base my statement on your numerous posts defending the social programs in this country. MANY of which are completly out of control and arguably do more harm than good.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 7:16 am Post subject:

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 7:27 am Post subject:

Seems to me you can't defend your positon, only take shoots at my writing.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Seems to me you can't understand what I write. I can't defend a position you only THINK I have. I'm also taking shots at your reading, as you read what you THINK I'll say, not what I've actually said. The same way you assumed that "someone with my political leanings" would feel entitled.

eeven73 · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 7:33 am Post subject:

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 7:38 am Post subject:

I feel entitled to actually bring home more of my actual pay check than I do now. Shocked

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Helping people get an education is never a form of a social program. It's an investment in this countries future.

Usually the more education you have, the more money you make. The more money you make, the more taxes you get to pay.

WMrider · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 8:14 am Post subject:

This is just a way to make higher education available and affordable for "everyone" . It is just a basic subsidized federal loan.....the government gives them out on a need basis (financial need). ....you should see how many(or for that matter the dollar amount)of these I have....ha ha ha Shocked

..

Usually when you get them as an undergraduate they base it on your parents finances and how much they "could be expected" to contribute(there are some exceptions to this due to marriage, dependents, etc.)...but once you hit a certain age (I think 24 or 25) or enter graduate school then they look solely at your income(and your spouses if applicable)...

*when you become a professional student you get fairly familiar with this system..

gswake · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 8:31 am Post subject:

Is it so crazy for cameraboy to be appreciative of what he gets for his taxes? I think we all would do well to think of all the things government is paying for (roads, schools, etc.) the next time we feel like we don't get enough of our paychecks.

Not that government is perfect, and not that we shouldn't keep an eye on how much we're taxed and where that money is spent. But I think the alternative is considerably worse.

Kudos, cameraboy, for being up-front about it and trying to do the right thing.

WMrider · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 8:37 am Post subject:

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 9:14 am Post subject:

I wouldn't mind if that what my money went towards.

Now a grant to shove a full toothpaste tube downa rat's throat every day to see if it gets cancer is a bit rediculous. Rolling Eyes

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

That's an extreme case. You would, of course, agree that gov't grants to research the causes of cancer are noble, yes?

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

some of them yes.

There is a serious lack of oversight though IMO.

Adn outright stupidity.

Such as the Crescent memorial.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

dont' know about it.

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 10:54 am Post subject:

911 memorial of the plane that went down in PA.

Shaped like a crescent. Symbol of Islam.

Weren't you upset about a tax paid developement in your area? To rejuvinate a down town center or something like that?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I was upset that they were going to build something downtown, but that they were flying around the country interviewing construction firms that weren't local. I though that they should try to keep my tax dollars in our own community.

earlcombearl · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 11:03 am Post subject:

cameraboy, I would say yes. Get it while the getting is good, and your wife is working for the reward you are reaping. An example of a good social program.

Leggester · Posted: Sep 23, 2005 1:30 pm Post subject:

Bingo, we agree on that CB... I believe the majority of my tax dollars should to local, not federal.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

eeven73, IMO, Cameraboy is right about every comment he made towards you. I find that the more I read his posts, the more open-minded and level headed he is. Whereas someone like yourself is very close-minded and "brainwashed." The problem is, that you will probably never figure this out and always live a clouded life, much like the 95% of the other people on this board and in the world. I think in this case, or in another disagreement I suppose, the first step toward your self-enlightenment, will be admitting your are wrong, or perhaps the other person is right.....although I don't see this happening.

I'm not trying to single you out b/c there are A LOT of other people people just like you (ie. the rest of the 95%). But sticking to your convictions to a point of no return is where your fault lies. If you don't allow yourself to objectively look at the other side, then what's the point of having an opinion?

perhaps I'm way off base here, in which case, go @#$% yourself....

....haha, j/k

Liquidmx · Addict Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 755 City: San Jose

Ahh yes, finally some people who understand philosophy as an actual form/action and not a D@mn perception.

I am sick of hearing "lets hear your philosophy".

For the Californians in this thread, what do you think of the new tax bill initiative about giving a tax break to parents/supporters paying for their children to go to private school k-12 (since college is already deductible)?

I think its a step in the right direction to put some pressure on the public school system for results.

Darin · Guest

As a taxed person. I'm against all social programs. Work or starve. Survival of the fittist, isn't that the liberal godless evolutionist point of view in nature. I don't see lions passing out meat to the less fortunate. And by the way, aren't we just animals? I suppose we are more like bees and ants, all working and working to supply the queen/colony. But there must be a rebel ant that takes his little bit of food and runs te other way to start his own little place. Then the other ants hunt him down and kill him for not conforming to the socialist agena that is ant. *hmmm* sounds kinda like human as well.