What Middle Class Families Want Politicians to Know

[Rachel]

NYTimes article: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/05/opinion/middle-class-families.html

Both inspiring and depressing.

[razz]

It seems that living in the US is a whole lot higher than my neck of the woods but perhaps, I need to verify that. Interesting reading this.

[Teacher Terry]

Some of these people live in such high cost areas that they would do better to move somewhere cheaper. We have moved many times for jobs. The doctor and spouse do not live in a high cost area so should cut back work hours, spend more time with their kids and that would cut daycare costs. HI and college are 2 huge expenses in the states. Kids can get there first 2 years of college at a community college but many people aren’t willing to do that. Sacrificing retirement savings for college is a big mistake because most of these people won’t be able to work as long as they plan to.

[Tammy]

Our 3 kids all did their first half of college at the community college, and at almost no cost as they attended part of it during their high school years and had scholarships. Then they finished at the small liberal arts college in our town, and lived at home. Also with scholarships and no room/board charges. This was their choice. None of them wanted the live-in-the-dorm experience. They grew up quickly and thought of college life as immature and annoying.

[ApatheticNoMore]

They make far more than the median household income here which certainly never cracks 6 figures.

They won't work till 70 or 80 anyway, the job market will make sure of that. OTOH they probably worry too much about a future that will never come anyway, climate change will make sure of that.

[Yppej]

I think most of those featured were upper middle class, not middle middle or lower middle. The Massachusetts family was from Stow which is not top of the line but still high end.

[henrysmom]

I get tired of people constantly complaining about student loans and college funds. I live in a very HCOL area (Los Angeles area) like many people in this story. I have two high school age sons. I have told my sons that they are going to community college and then to local state university. Tuition and books at the CC is probably going to be about $2k a year and state university about $10-12K. I am not going to pay for them to have the “college experience “ of going away to some other state or private college or living in a dorm enjoying a prolonged adolescence on my dime. I will pay for their college as I laid out above but am not going to foot the bill for anything more and will not approve of them taking out big loans, especially to study something that will not reap benefits in the workplace. The average person has student loan debt of 30 or 40K. This is less than most new cars and supposedly will reap a lifetime of financial benefits. I honestly don’t feel sorry for them. I have several nieces and nephews who borrowed large sums of money to go out of state to study things like communications and now have jobs they probably could have gotten without a college degree. One has debt of $70k and manages a local fitness center and cries about how horrible her situation is, even though her degree was in kinesiology. I feel about student debt like I feel about credit card debt. You signed for it, you pay for it. I don’t feel sorry for the families portrayed other than the man with two disabled children. I too have a disabled child and know the financial burden it can cause.

[Yppej]

I agree Henrysmom. People who signed up for student loan debt should pay it. I oppose taxpayers picking up the tab through loan forgiveness programs.

[Ultralight]

I agree Henrysmom. People who signed up for student loan debt should pay it. I oppose taxpayers picking up the tab through loan forgiveness programs.

Every month when I make my reduced payment in my public service loan forgiveness plan I am glad you don't make the rules. LOL!

[Ultralight]

I too have a disabled child and know the financial burden it can cause.

What if someone says? "You chose to have kids. You knew the risk. You shoulder ALL the costs of all their special needs."

[henrysmom]

I actually do pick up nearly all the costs of his disability, including private school tuition because our public school system has let him down. I am blessed to have the ability to do so, even though it financially devastated us in many ways and continues to do so. Having a child with a disability was not my choice, but I try not to complain too much about it. I Feel sorry for families in my situation as it’s a daily struggle, financially, socially, emotionally. I do not feel sorry for people who chose to live beyond their means and then complain how tough it is and expect us all to pay for it. I did not have a choice in the matter and imagine someday the taxpayers will have to provide some level of assistance to my son but I am trying my darndest to limit that by saving what I can to pass on to him and trying to get him help to hopefully lessen his burden on society. I do not feel sorry for people who make 200K+ a year and complain how tough it is. Even in high cost So Cal that’s a lot of money....

[Teacher Terry]

People really don’t understand the financial cost of having a child with a disability. Have you looked into all the available resources that you may be entitled to? Your taxes pay for these services. Take care.

[Ultralight]

I actually do pick up nearly all the costs of his disability, including private school tuition because our public school system has let him down. I am blessed to have the ability to do so, even though it financially devastated us in many ways and continues to do so. Having a child with a disability was not my choice, but I try not to complain too much about it. I Feel sorry for families in my situation as it’s a daily struggle, financially, socially, emotionally. I do not feel sorry for people who chose to live beyond their means and then complain how tough it is and expect us all to pay for it. I did not have a choice in the matter and imagine someday the taxpayers will have to provide some level of assistance to my son but I am trying my darndest to limit that by saving what I can to pass on to him and trying to get him help to hopefully lessen his burden on society. I do not feel sorry for people who make 200K+ a year and complain how tough it is. Even in high cost So Cal that’s a lot of money....

I am absolutely willing, without hesitation, to pay taxes to provide help to people with disabilities. It is not something I would ever complain about. It is the right thing to do. Sure, you took a risk by reproducing, and it worked out in an unfortunate way. But we're here to help each other.

[henrysmom]

Thank you all. I have started to access more services now that he is facing adulthood but am still reticent in some way to take services such as disability payments, etc. He is still covered under my insurance, but I will get him on Medicaid when he is no long covered. I am looking into the Dept of Rehab services for on job training etc. There are so many people with worse needs that I am trying to do right by him but be responsible. A tough balance. BTW UL I don’t mind some reduced payment plans for loan Forgiveness, I just believe there should be some sort of limits or service requirement. I myself was a recipient, my Masters degree was paid for in exchange for three years service, a very good deal for me in hindsight!

[Ultralight]

Thank you all. I have started to access more services now that he is facing adulthood but am still reticent in some way to take services such as disability payments, etc. He is still covered under my insurance, but I will get him on Medicaid when he is no long covered. I am looking into the Dept of Rehab services for on job training etc. There are so many people with worse needs that I am trying to do right by him but be responsible. A tough balance. BTW UL I don’t mind some reduced payment plans for loan Forgiveness, I just believe there should be some sort of limits or service requirement. I myself was a recipient, my Masters degree was paid for in exchange for three years service, a very good deal for me in hindsight!

I am doing ten hard ones to get mine partially forgiven. I am almost halfway done.

[Teacher Terry]

The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation is paid for by our taxes. I worked in it and is a combination of state and federal money. The goal is to help people with disabilities return or enter the workforce. Many supports are available. It changes lives.

[henrysmom]

Wow I got off easy with three years! However it was over 30 years ago. I had a high need job in underserved area but was glad to do it and stayed for many years after that. Wish they had more programs like that now..