For the last few weeks we have had several taxpayers coming into our office who have either been laid off, released from long term employment, or simply have no income during this recession/ depression. Some have the benefit of drawing unemployment compensation, those who are self-employed do not have that luxury.
This morning, just to be sure, I called the Virginia Employment Commission to question if there were any benefits available for tax payers who are self employed. I was informed that self-employed individuals who file taxes using 1099’s as a form of income, do not have the benefit of applying for unemployment when there is no self-employment jobs available. These taxpayers have few options available other than charity from Social Services (welfare) or seeking help from local churches. It behooves those who have not been paying self-employment taxes to protect themselves for the future by paying those taxes. This recession/depression could last for many years to be without some sort of financial resource.
In rural communities many folks work as landscapers ,“wood chucks”, care givers, baby sitters, house cleaners etc as their only means of income. As everyone’s financial means grow smaller, they will began cutting unessential items from their budget. Things like home improvement, dinner out, movies, landscaping, care giving services, in fact everything that isn’t necessary to live. No more beauty parlors, health clubs, nails, latte’s and normal luxuries of life. Soon we’ll see an increase in crime simple because people without funds turn to drastic measures for survival. The crimes are already beginning in many areas.
My question is what benefit has the billions and billions of dollars allocated by congress to ear-marks like Senator Reid’s high speed rail for Las Vegas, and Nancy Pelosi’s 30 million for the study of field mice really done for people who are in dire circumstances. Just as the other 8000 plus ear marks paid for out of tax payers money, the government is foolishly spending money for unnecessary “goodies” while working people starve. Is this the kind of “change” we have been promised by the President? What happened to going over the budget line by line and no more earmarks and holding the congressmen accountable? Is this the sort of line-by-line accountability he had planned to help the 95% of the lower income folks?
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