***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[harlemtothebronx]

Rusty said "begging for handouts" he was paraphrasing me. I've never used that phrase in my life. Although, I've had used handouts. And honestly, I've said how I've felt so many times I just kind of assumed people knew without me having to go in depth...again.

And may I ask, what are you doing to repay all the people that were forced to invest in you when that money could have gone elsewhere?

My responsibility is to be a productive member of society and pay my taxes in order to afford children who were in my situation the same opportunity I had to have a roof over my head, finish high school and get through college with grants and financial aid.

I work for the New York City Housing Authority for section 8 and public housing tenants who benefit from subsidized rent in New York City.

What more responsibility do you think I have?

I have no more responsibility than you do.

 

[rico x hood]

Well I hope in your day to day you let people know public housing and section 8 is not a life worth living because they don't pay for it. Others do. If you do that, then the people's investment in you paid some dividends

 

[RustyShackleford]

Well I hope in your day to day you let people know public housing and section 8 is not a life worth living because they don't pay for it. Others do. If you do that, then the people's investment in you paid some dividends

I completely disagree with this, and honestly think it is a borderline disgusting opinion to have.

But side question, do you feel the same way about people in NYC on rent control. Those landlord get tax credits paid for by taxpayers to offset the lost in rent money. Just askin

 

[Nike Jordan]

 

As a dark-skinned minority who grew up in an urban area, I have about zero-incentive to vote and/or support the Republican Party. 

Let me know how that voting Democrat is working for you...

You just said that you were an "independent".

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Trust me, I am well aware of the abuse of the system that goes on. Public housing was intended to be a stopgap for immigrants to get on their feet and get out...it became one of he only places where there is actual affordable housing in New York.

The problem is bigger than people leeching off the city...in New York at least. the problem is that gentrification has pushed people into tight corners of the city where subsidized housing is available.

New York is barely livable for a middle class person.

Not everyone wants to live in the projects for the rest of their lives. Some people get trapped through circumstance.

 

[Belgium]

Personally I'm more than happy my taxes contribute to provide opportunities and help to those in need. Most people here feel that way.
Our low-cost education (€880/year tuiton at the top university, can be as low as €120 with a scholarship) and universal healthcare are seen as basic rights.
I think that's a fundamental difference between many European countries and the US.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

rico x hood

Side note: The gall of you to think you can even ask me what I'm doing to pay that money back of that you could determine whether or not the government cheese or section 8 I benefitted from 'paid some dividends.' You really ought to think before you speak to people the way that you do.

 

[whywesteppin]

i think it's pretty narrow to look at things solely as individuals. programs that benefit society as a whole have a long-lasting impact that can't be measured by the percentage of your paycheck that you keep. then again that's why we have leaders/professionals who can take that bigger view and don't leave it to average citizens to figure out.

or maybe we just have a budding ayn rand fan on our hands. i remember those days as a boy when i first read her work and believed in it. and i distinctly remember turning 12 and moving on from her ideas.

 

[rico x hood]

I completely disagree with this, and honestly think it is a borderline disgusting opinion to have.

But side question, do you feel the same way about people in NYC on rent control. Those landlord get tax credits paid for by taxpayers to offset the lost in rent money. Just askin

Man if I said the sky was blue you'd disagree. I believe that all properties should be rented or sold at their fair market value. Plain and simple. Because I know people in NYC that lived in rent controlled apartments and from what I understand the rent is tied to your income,so if you make more money, you pay more rent. In my view, that would eliminate the need for progression in some people. And that to me is a detriment.

 

[Belgium]

Man if I said the sky was blue you'd disagree. I believe that all properties should be rented or sold at their fair market value. Plain and simple. Because I know people in NYC that lived in rent controlled apartments and from what I understand the rent is tied to your income,so if you make more money, you pay more rent. In my view, that would eliminate the need for progression in some people. And that to me is a detriment.

How would you describe a person who lives in subsidized housing but has a decent paying job, reportedly owns "porsche money" in sneakers and wears expensive jewelry?

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Personally I'm more than happy my taxes contribute to provide opportunities and help to those in need. Most people here feel that way.
Our low-cost education (€880/year tuiton at the top university, can be as low as €120 with a scholarship) and universal healthcare are seen as basic rights.
I think that's a fundamental difference between many European countries and the US.

I honestly don't understand people who do. Perhaps they just don't understand the situations those people who need it are in.

I know how important the local pantry, food stamps, section 8, welfare were to me and I still have family members who don't have many other places to turn. So even though taxes take a big chunk out of my middle class salary, I know it's for the best and I know I'm paying into a system that helped greatly to get me where I am today as an independent member of society.

 

[RustyShackleford]

I completely disagree with this, and honestly think it is a borderline disgusting opinion to have.

But side question, do you feel the same way about people in NYC on rent control. Those landlord get tax credits paid for by taxpayers to offset the lost in rent money. Just askin

Man if I said the sky was blue you'd disagree. I believe that all properties should be rented or sold at their fair market value. Plain and simple. Because I know people in NYC that lived in rent controlled apartments and from what I understand the rent is tied to your income,so if you make more money, you pay more rent. In my view, that would eliminate the need for progression in some people. And that to me is a detriment.

So I know some folk in NYC that claim to make a high salary, yet pay way below market rent because they are grandfathered into rules that don't take their income into account. And brags about this fact.

Would you consider those people leeches, and in your word not living "a life worth living"

Not arguing brah, trying to get your views on this, I think we might be able to find common ground on a issue finally.

 

[rico x hood]

rico x hood

Side note: The gall of you to think you can even ask me what I'm doing to pay that money back of that you could determine whether or not the government cheese or section 8 I benefitted from 'paid some dividends.' You really ought to think before you speak to people the way that you do.

How? You said yourself you benefited from federal aid. Essentially the taxpayers were your investors. And you're going to say that they don't have a right to know what their investment ended up yielding? The hell? So you live your life all willy nilly benefiting from the taxpayers but at the believe at the same time that no one can ask what you're doing? That absolute audacity. It's attitudes like that that dampen true altruism. Ugh, I had originally applauded you for making it out and doing good works but that last comment just shows people don't change.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Man if I said the sky was blue you'd disagree. I believe that all properties should be rented or sold at their fair market value. Plain and simple. Because I know people in NYC that lived in rent controlled apartments and from what I understand the rent is tied to your income,so if you make more money, you pay more rent. In my view, that would eliminate the need for progression in some people. And that to me is a detriment.

How would you describe a person who lives in subsidized housing but has a decent paying job, reportedly owns "porsche money" in sneakers and wears expensive jewelry?

 

[harlemtothebronx]

The pomp of this guy to try to speak from a place of authority on a topic you clearly don't understand other than the tax dollars coming out of your pocket.

I'm not talking about anyone asking, I'm talking about you feeling as if you're capable of determining whether or not I was 'worth it.'

Agree to disagree.

 

[RustyShackleford]

rico x hood

Side note: The gall of you to think you can even ask me what I'm doing to pay that money back of that you could determine whether or not the government cheese or section 8 I benefitted from 'paid some dividends.' You really ought to think before you speak to people the way that you do.

How? You said yourself you benefited from federal aid. Essentially the taxpayers were your investors. And you're going to say that they don't have a right to know what their investment ended up yielding? The hell? So you live your life all willy nilly benefiting from the taxpayers but at the believe at the same time that no one can ask what you're doing? That absolute audacity. It's attitudes like that that dampen true altruism. Ugh, I had originally applauded you for making it out and doing good works but that last comment just shows people don't change.

Didn't you tax out federal student loans. And given your age, the Federal Government was offering interest rate of those way below what the free market was?

Or I'm I mistaken?

 

[rico x hood]

So I know some folk that claim to make a high salary, yet pay way below market rent because they are grandfathered into rules that don't take their income into account.

Would you consider those people leeches, and in your word not living "a life worth living"

Not arguing brah, trying to get your views on this, I think we might be able to find common ground on a issue finally.

Yes, they're gaming the system.

 

[RustyShackleford]

So I know some folk that claim to make a high salary, yet pay way below market rent because they are grandfathered into rules that don't take their income into account.

Would you consider those people leeches, and in your word not living "a life worth living"

Not arguing brah, trying to get your views on this, I think we might be able to find common ground on a issue finally.

Yes, they're gaming the system.

I feel you famb.

 

[rico x hood]

Didn't you tax out federal student loans. And given your age, the Federal Government was offering interest rate of those way below what the free market was?

Or I'm I mistaken?

I did take out federal student loans. The government was offering below market interests rates to everyone. I graduated in 08 and went to college in 09 the FED had already decided by that time to keep interests rates low. All I know is I borrowed money and I paid it back. HarlemToTheBronx did not. We're different.

 

[rico x hood]

The pomp of this guy to try to speak from a place of authority on a topic you clearly don't understand other than the tax dollars coming out of your pocket.

I'm not talking about anyone asking, I'm talking about you feeling as if you're capable of determining whether or not I was 'worth it.'

Agree to disagree.

Then enlighten me, what am I missing? If it's the "human element" then don't even bother. This is all about hard numbers at this time. And no, I'm not an authority but I am a taxpayer. And you gave me an opportunity to ask, so I did.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Didn't you tax out federal student loans. And given your age, the Federal Government was offering interest rate of those way below what the free market was?

Or I'm I mistaken?

I did take out federal student loans. The government was offering below market interests rates to everyone. I graduated in 08 and went to college in 09 the FED had already decided by that time to keep interests rates low. All I know is I borrowed money and I paid it back. HarlemToTheBronx did not. We're different.

Why didn't you go to the free market doe. Not everyone that qualifies for government aid takes it. And that works for everything

Your federal loans were subsidized (or at least some of them), so no matter if you paid them off in "full", part of your loan was paid off my take dollars.

You know I have no problem with a robust welfare state, for moral reason but also because it is smart socially and economically.

But I find it funny that you're trying grab the moral high ground on dude, and yet you're a hypocrite. Tax dollars help you get low interest loans to fund your education, and those tax dollars made it so you didn't have to pay back the true full amount.

Maybe it is time to jump off that high horse brah

 

[rico x hood]

I've never been on a high horse in my life. As I've stated many times, I was born poor (West Brighton, Staten Island and my parents were born impoverished(Jamaica the country, Bronx projects). Hard work got them to where they are and where I eventually want to be.

In this era we can't talk market value when it comes to interest rates because their across the board artificially low. I could have taken a bank loan to pay for school, would have been the same thing. It's an apples and oranges situation.

 

[the red model]

Damn, people really think this way. He ignores the fact that the roads and bridges he drives on are paid for by tax dollars. Most of the food in our grocery stores are subsidized by the government. Most government subsidies go to corporations not even federal aid.

 

[Belgium]

Then enlighten me, what am I missing? If it's the "human element" then don't even bother. This is all about hard numbers at this time. And no, I'm not an authority but I am a taxpayer. And you gave me an opportunity to ask, so I did.

Like it or not but empathy is clearly what you're missing here.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Thanks for showing me and everyone in this thread what kind of person you are rico x hood .

Taking the moral high ground over someone because they were born into poverty.

You're an idiot.