Business

These Are the 10 States That Give the Most Money & Benefits to Their Residents

Like it or not, the Occupy movement has turned a lot of the nation’s attention to the subject of “income inequality.” Occupy protesters around the country have labeled themselves the 99 percent, in contrast to the wealthiest 1 percent.

While this has captured the public’s attention, differences in wealth have always existed, and some states have tried to address this by redistributing money through education spending, unemployment benefits, health care, welfare, and other means.

Incidentally, and this is important to note, the states that are most generous with money and benefits also tend to have the highest costs of living, the biggest tax burdens, and/or the greatest “income inequality” (as measured by the Gini coefficient).

Tax burden refers to the average amount a person pays in taxes as a percentage of his income. The Tax Foundation calculates each state’s tax burden by taking the total amount paid by the state’s residents in taxes, and dividing it by the total income of the state’s residents.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents

Source: The Tax Foundation/Becket Adams

Click to enlarge

The cost of living data is from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. According to their website, they “[derive] the cost of living index for each state by averaging the indices of participating cities and metropolitan areas in that state.”

“The least expensive areas continue to be the Midwest and Southern States.”

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents

Source: The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center/Becket Adams

Click to enlarge

The amount each state spends on education per student, including teacher salaries, as well as data on “income inequality,” measured by the Gini coefficient, comes from the Census Bureau.

Medicaid spending per recipient is from The Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. Medicare spending per recipient is from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The average amount each state employee receives in pension benefits per year was ranked by using data from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College on defined benefit plans. Data on the average number of months of benefits received and the average monthly amount of cash assistance from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a welfare program that provides cash assistance to American families with dependent children, was obtained from the Administration for Children and Families.

These are the states that love to “spread the wealth,” so to speak:

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents10. California
Average pension benefits: $24,398
Total per pupil spending: $9,657
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $3,367
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 30.3 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 42.4
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $537

California provides a large amount of cash assistance to the needy. Recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in the state receive $537 per month—the second largest amount in the country—and for 42.4 months—the 7th most months. California residents have one of the highest tax burdens in the country.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents9. Minnesota
Average pension benefits: $16,304
Total per pupil spending: $11,098
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $8,435
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 40.7 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 40
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $348

As of 2008, Medicaid enrollees in Minnesota received the second largest amount in benefits in the country. However, the state has cut outlay to the program as stated in the 2012-2013 budget, meaning the state’s ranking in this category may soon change. Residents of the state have to pay a very large amount in taxes. The average citizen of Minnesota pays 10.3 percent of their income in state and local taxes, which is the seventh largest amount in the country.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents8. Alaska
Average pension benefits: $18,632
Total per pupil spending: $15,552
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $7,453
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 27.0 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 37.3
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $602

Alaskans have the lowest tax burden in the country, paying just 6.3 percent of their income in state and local taxes. According to the Tax Foundation, “Before the Trans-Alaska pipeline was finished in 1977, taxpayers in Alaska bore the second-highest tax burden in the country. By 1980, with oil tax revenue pouring in, Alaska repealed its personal income tax and started sending out checks instead.”

The state also doesn’t levy personal income tax or sales tax. Still, it manages to spend the third largest amount per pupil each year, provide the sixth largest amount in medicaid per beneficiary, and give the largest amount in monthly TANF assistance in the country.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents7. Connecticut
Average pension benefits: $26,622
Total per pupil spending: $14,531
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $7,442
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 29.2 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 26.7
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $413

Connecticut has the highest per capita income in the country. Its residents also pay more than $5,000 a year on average in state and local taxes—the highest amount in the U.S. As a result, residents have the third highest tax burden in the country.

In return, Connecticuters receive above average benefits. State employees who receive their pensions through the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System have the fourth highest average pension benefits. Students have the sixth highest amount spent on them. The state also has the fourth highest cost of living, and the second highest rate of “income inequality.”

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents6. Hawaii
Average pension benefits: $22,680
Total per pupil spending: $12,400
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $5,261
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 54.3 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 46.7
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $518

Hawaii, on average, covers 54.3 percent of workers’ previous weekly wages through unemployment benefits. This is the highest rate in the country. The state also provides, on average, the greatest number of months of TANF benefits, and the third highest average amount of cash assistance. Part of the reason for this is that Hawaii has — by a substantial margin — the highest cost of living in the country. The state also receives one of the largest amounts of federal funding per capita in the country. This is partly due to defense, but also because of its high rates of health and human services payments.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents5. Pennsylvania
Average pension benefits: $20,662
Total per pupil spending: $12,512
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $6,937
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 39.4 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 42
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $322

Pennsylvania ranks high in a number of categories, but is not especially exceptional in any. It spends a large amount on education, health care, public pensions, and welfare. As a result, it has the tenth highest tax burden in the country, with residents spending an average of 10.1 percent of their income in state and local taxes.

The States That Give the Most in Money and Benefits to Their Residents4. New York
Average pension benefits: $17,459
Total per pupil spending: $18,126
Medicaid payments per beneficiary: $9,057
Pct. of weekly wages covered by unemployment benefits: 26.9 percent
No. of months of TANF received: 43.9
Avg. TANF cash assistance per month: $499

New York spends more than $18,100 per student on education each year, which is more than any other state in the nation. Approximately $12,500 of this is spent on teacher salaries and benefits alone. The state’s medicaid payments per beneficiary of $9,057 is the largest in the country, and more than $600 than the state that spends the second most.

New York has the second largest state and local tax burden, and the third highest cost of living.

See the rest of the list here.

(Charles B. Stockdale, Michael B. Sauter, Ashley C. Allen—24/7 Wall St./The Blaze)

Comments (144)

1 2 3
  • olddog
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:58pm

    @Snowleopard.. Well you hit the nail on the head…California is downright communist and they are down and on the way OUT..

    Report Post » olddog  
    • cemerius
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:51pm

      Of course ALOT of those benefiting in California are Illegals too!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:25pm

      Well, not only is New Jersey first in crime, its also first in welfare payments. They do not call New Jersey the Soviet Republic of New Jersey for nothing.

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Is it any surprise that the top 13 states in taxation are dark blue (a.k.a. RED) states?

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • noczars
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:37pm

      Yes! CA is communist, we even have a communist teachers union. I have lived here over 30 yrs and for the last 3 years just started waking up. AND yes we have a HUGE problem with illegals that have been on welfare/ssi/ssdi assistance for babies and food stamps for up to 4 generations. I used to work for Legal Aid Society and saw many of the families getting assistance come in with gold and diamond jewelry new cars/trucks and dressed better than I did. If I did not have committments and a husband that has 5+ years before he can retire, I would be OUT OF HERE.

      Report Post » noczars  
    • granolajohn
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:59pm

      Because of Republican law makers in the state, look at Cali pre Reagen and then post. Then you might begin to understand Cali’s woes

      Report Post » granolajohn  
    • mr molotov cocktail
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:42pm

      old dog you twit california pays more in federal taxes then all red-states combined…
      and dollar for dollar red-states are welfare states…they take more in federal dollars then they put in…
      Fact!
      people pay more in taxes in blue states then red-state people earn in income…..
      welfare dregs are red-states

      red-states are losers always have been they dont understand simple economics..recycling money works produces a better standard of living for everyone….
      red-states are morons who like being poor

      mr molotov cocktail  
    • TheE
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:34pm

      I really love it when these liberals declare “Fact”, because you know that everything that follows that is absolute BS.

      Report Post »  
    • Komponist-ZAH
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 9:50pm

      Comrade Molotov—

      You have the gall to say that WE don’t understand economics in the same sentence you utter such patent nonsense as “recycling money works produces a better standard of living for everyone”??

      1) There is a difference between money and wealth.

      2) “[R]ecycling money” doesn’t produce anything. The only thing that can “produce a better standard of living” (leaving aside that “better” is an entirely subjective term) is the production of new goods and services, new wealth—a thing which governement cannot do.

      Report Post »  
    • Thomas
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 1:01am

      If only they required people to take a Economic class before being eligible to vote many of the idiots voting for these progressive politicians would cease. It has to be out of complete ignorance or hate and revenge that cause them to vote for progressives. I just cannot believe people are that stupid.

      Report Post » Thomas  
    • mauijonny
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 2:28am

      MOLOTOV, I live in HI, was born and raised here. I can assure you that a LOT of peeps here are on either welfare or work multiple jobs to just to get hours in because of a stupid commie law that requires employers to provide healthcare to anyone working 20+ hours/week – with that, just take a guess as to how many employers will hire you for 19 hours a week… Dumba$$.

      Report Post » mauijonny  
    • MeMadMax
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:28am

      “Because of Republican law makers in the state, look at Cali pre Reagen and then post. Then you might begin to understand Cali’s woes”

      WRONG.

      California started going downhill in the 60′s with flower power and politicians scared to death of it.
      Then in the 70′s the unions took over and ran out the auto makers from LA.
      The rest is history…
      The End.

      MeMadMax  
    • chershaw8
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:37am

      The state will slide into the ocean soon anyway, problems solved.

      Report Post »  
    • kunman
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:02am

      With economic geniuses like MOLOTOV, I will be damned if I if allow federal dollars to be used to bail their state out. CA = Greece

      Report Post »  
  • iamme73
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:56pm

    This presents an incomplete picture. What difference does it make if a state has low or high taxes, a high or low cost of living, low or high wages, or generous benefits to residents in comparison to other states?

    Isn’t the real measure of how well a states policies are working based on the condition of the citizens of that state? Aren’t the real measures of a state the rate of poverty, the uninsured, high school and college grads, the number of universities, the number of doctors and hospitals, or the number of businesses?

    So if one wants to include low or high taxes, low or high benefits, or low or high cost of living, shouldn’t that be done in conjunction with the conditions of the citizens of that state?

    Or do tax rates trump everything?

     
    • skitrees
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:41pm

      I sure hope you are joking: “Aren’t the real measures of a state the rate of poverty, the uninsured, high school and college grads, the number of universities, the number of doctors and hospitals, or the number of businesses?”

      I would hope the real measures of a state have nothing to do with indoctrination (or, as you call it – “high school,“ ”college,“ and ”the number of universities.”) I would hope it would be as easy as this: Determine what percentage of the state’s population is SELF SUFFICIENT (not using state/federal funds)…and determine the state’s level of FREEDOM (i.e. high taxation means less freedom, low taxation means more freedom.)

      Report Post »  
    • Cold Hard Truth
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:33pm

      It’s when I read posts like the one above by IAMME73, I think to myself: Dear God, please give us another Joseph McCarthy… and soon.

      Report Post » Cold Hard Truth  
    • iamme73
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:22pm

      Skitree, so the poverty level of the citizens of a state isn’t a more important statistic than the poverty rate?

      You equate a tax rate difference of a few percentages as indicative of freedom? So going from a state with 10% to 8% increases freedom by how much? I think that is ridiculous measure of freedom and in fact such a small difference that exists between most states adds up to a few hundred bucks a year for the vast majority of households.

      I’d say the actual conditions of the citizens of a state are a much better indicator of whether an individual states policies are working.

      Report Post »  
    • dr pepper
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:01pm

      @IAMME73
      How about we look at how far in debt each state is and rank them based on this marker. In the end, when a bankrupt state goes belly up because their state government practiced socialistic policies, everyone loses except for those who have the means to move. Additionally, what if those southern red states decided to not send their oil/gas products to your beloved California. The smog capitol of the US uses more energy than most states combined, so how long before riots would begin because the welfare recipients couldn’t drive their vehicles due to the fuel shortages. The red southern states can grow vegetables or get them from Texas, how’s that oil drilling going for ya in Cali?

      Report Post »  
    • GeoInSD
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:48pm

      If taxes are high and the state is running high deficits, like California, then something is very very wrong. In this situation, it doesn’t matter how good the metrics that you mention are because THEY CANNOT be sustained! If something isn’t done about running the high deficits the state will go bankrupt. The bills come due eventually.

      If spending isn’t brought under control and just taxes are raised, what will happen is the state will become uncompetitive and companies will flee, which is partly what has happened.

      I am Californian born, raised, educated, and spent all my adult life in CA. It is home and the climate is the best I have ever seen (I have traveled quite a lot even though I haven’t taken residence anywhere else). However, our politicians have a crazy priorities and feel government should get involved in things where they have no business being in. Just recently, at a time CA still has a huge deficit, we passed a law allowing illegal aliens in-state tuition for public universities AND FINANCIAL AID. I am not going to argue about whether or not it is right to aid illegal aliens, but I must say that it does not make sense to volunteer for greater financial burdens when you have big deficits. I say that is simply not responsible.

      Report Post »  
    • Wes inTexas
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 6:46pm

      One of the largest facts about California is that they spend so damned much money on illegals, free health care for them, putting them in schools then mandating that other children MUST learn Spanish…they have created their own budget problems by not following the Rule of Law (much like our president), it is no wonder they have been broke for so many years. High tax rates there are fine with me, Texas benefited the most for businesses moving here, then the massive influx of doctors when our state began medical Tort, and now we have “Loser Pay” lawsuits to get rid of frivolous lawsuits, if you file one here, the case may not be heard based on merit, it is does go through, and a jury finds it to be a false intent claim, the lawyer and complainant pays…outstanding!!! Silicone Valley has been overshadowed by the newest Silicon Prairie in Los Colinas, Tx. So much so that we have added two more seats to Congress.

      Report Post » Wes inTexas  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:54pm

    I don’t want “benefits” from the government in the form of redistributed largesse. I want to be left alone by them.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • RightThinking1
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:47pm

    Since Gov. Moonbeam is requesting higher taxes for California, perhaps they can take over the no.1 position. I can hear Waters and Pelosi chanting “We’re number one! We’re number one!”

    Report Post »  
    • AR10LVR
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:24pm

      I‘m afraid you’re absolutely right. There’s a reason its called Kommiefonia..

      Report Post » AR10LVR  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:45pm

      Don’t ya just love it when fly over state representatives start chiming in?

      Report Post »  
    • dr pepper
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:14pm

      Yeah, those puny flyover states that provide the wheat and corn to help feed us along with coal, oil & natural gas to supply fuel to generate electricity and fuel for our vehicles. I wish they would stop interfering with our affairs and just give us what we want!
      I wouldn’t bite the hand that helps provide some very essential commodities you need.

      Report Post »  
  • jgeespot
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:42pm

    Wow Michigan wasn’t on the list…guess that’s something :D

    Report Post » jgeespot  
  • we are screwed
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:25pm

    Yea! We’re number 2. Oops, this is a ranking where you want to be last. Here in MN, we just increased the budget by $4 billion and the libs said that we are going to starve children and old people because it didn’t go up by $7 billion. Maybe if we stopped being so generous with other people’s money, those in need of “assistance” would stop coming and we could cut the budget.

    Report Post »  
    • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 12:19pm

      We are SO screwed in MN. In order to re-open the MN government last summer the Republicans here gave into the deranged governor and took away our homestead exeption. Now we pay higher property taxes…same as if we are a rental property! The Republicans in this state are ALL RINOS. Hence, Tony Sutton, Pres of RNC here in MN has just resigned. MN used to be called “ Minnesota Nice” ….Since most of Detroit and Chicago thugs have moved here since the 70‘s it’s not so “nice” anymore. I have witnessed the State I loved go down the tubes slowly..as politicians from NY have come here, taken residence and run for elected office time after time. This place is pathetic and doomed to be #1 soon.

      Report Post » PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:21pm

    The fact that they are all on the most likely to default list is just a coincidence…nothing to see here, move along.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:19pm

    looks to me like democrap states are the big leaders here

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:24pm

      Progressive Democrat at that; and look to CA for the future when the name changes to the United Soviet Socialist state of California; their symbol will be the iron fist in a peace sign while holding a wreath of flowers over the Hollywood sign.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:07pm

      Breaks my heart. I was raised in Calif. and loved it with a passion, until I moved away. Over the years
      the changes to Calif. are beyond description. Even tho I’ve made many trips back for other business, I‘ve been appalled at the horrid changes I’ve seen in the last 20 or so years.
      Now, I’m glad I moved with my family. The more I hear and see, the worse it gets apparently. Oh well, it was a nice place to live once upon a time.

       
  • Misha
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:15pm

    I knew my stupid state would make this top 10 list. Why else would immigrants come from their scorching hot climates (hmong, mexican, african, muslim) to the freezing tundra of Minnesota? Oh, because it‘s an immigrant’s dream come true. Not long ago I was in an ER waiting room and there was a sign on the wall written in 4-5 languages – not one of which was English.

    Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:22pm

      Elect Gingrich and it will get worse.

       
    • MN NICE
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:32pm

      It’s not just the immigrants… I have a neighbor (mostly white with a little filth mixed in) that wonders why I have to work 5+ days a week to provide for my family. He’s collecting his benefits (SSI) because he can’t work due to his “condition”. This POS goes hunting and fishing, rides horse, snowmobile and motorcycle!!! At least he’s doing his part in keeping the economy rolling with his daily consumption of a case of beer and three packs of heaters…

      Report Post » MN NICE  
    • VTDave
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:45pm

      MN NICE
      What have you done to curtail this fraud from continuing to steal from yourself and the rest of us? Get some stones and video tape the SOB and take care of it. Multiply this turd millions of times over and you have our welfare/ssi system. It is time for those of us that witness this BS to start chipping away at it.

      Report Post » VTDave  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:59pm

      Got the worse of it: a house still in MN, job (and apt) in MI.

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
    • English Major
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:08pm

      Hmong is a language spoken by a people from Viet Nam. We are relocating them to America because they helped us in the Viet Nam war. That’s more than can be said for the Dems who actively opposed us in the war. Assimilation isn’t easy! Help them learn English and succeed in America DESPITE the socialist Dems. That’s the best revenge.

       
    • OlefromMN
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:09pm

      I just knew MN would be on the list of “spreading the wealth”. And now with Governor Goofy and an inept GOP we will end up striving for the #1 slot.

      Report Post » OlefromMN  
    • mountainb
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:21pm

      MISHA!!!!!!
      WTH makes you think you had the right to invade the medical treatment facilities of the third world trash invading our country at the invitation of our traitorous fed. guvy?????? You racist!!! LOL (my attempt at humor and sarcasm)

      Report Post »  
  • Fight for America
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:11pm

    Thinking about the “fair” share stuff from our current president.

    So, if you take from the higher/rich and give to the middle that would still leave the lower folks not “equal” so you’d have to take from the middle to give to the lower. Eventually everyone would be mediocre in “wealth” and assets.

    Why would anyone want to get out of bed to work if everything is handed to them and there is no “up” to reach for?

    Why would anyone go to higher education – there would be no benefit to income or survival?

    To our current president – Europe is falling apart, why would you want us to be like Europe? or like the Stone Age folks in the Middle East who have nothing but violence and power on their brainwashed minds?

    America IS better – stop trying to drag it down or make our people feel guilty about working hard and reaching for the stars.

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:10pm

    Socialism advances. Hey, aren’t you glad to be a taxpayer with $250 million of your money being spent for, um, penis pumps?

    http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2011/12/06/quarter-billion-taxpayer-dollars-spent-penis-pumps

    Report Post »  
  • stickandtwig.com
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:10pm

    With the exception of Alaska, which has used a lawful application of Natural Law to benefit its citizens, this story shows the end result of violating that same Natural Law and the Social Contract. Government cannot “give” anything it does not first take from the People. When government takes from one citizen to give to another, it violates the Social Contract to protect each citizen equally. It also violates Natural Law/Natural Rights by placing a claim against the person who is having their money taken. As we explain in our e-book, this is a claim against that person’s life through their labor. When the fruits of that confiscated labor is then used to provide for another citizen who did not earn it themselves, the person having their money taken is then made a slave of the recipient by the very government that was established to prevent this very thing. When this happens because the majority elects politicians who will promulgate this practice, we no longer have a free republic, we have the tyranny of the masses against which our founders warned us. It is our mission to educate everyone as to how we can resolve the majority of these problems by simply understanding and following Natural Rights, Natural Law and the Social Contract.

    Report Post » stickandtwig.com  
  • robh
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:08pm

    I want to see an overlay of data representing the amount per capita spent on illegal immigrants.

    Which part of “illegal” do you not understand?

    Report Post » robh  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

    Another reason I moved Out of California. You can have it.

    Report Post » schroeder123  
    • On The Bayou
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Schroeder123, let em have it. The last time I was in California I could just as well been visiting Mexico.

      Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • TXMan12
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:00pm

      Do you need a passport to visit California yet?

      Report Post » TXMan12  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

    Please read the posting rules which prohibit advertising.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • blue_sky
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:08pm

      Good point.
      What about sharing news like the fact that
      Money bomb at RonPaul2012 is $915,000.00

      I think people who support liberty and prosperity must Donate now and spread the message.

      Report Post »  
    • Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:37pm

      YAY! advertising for Ron paul!

      Report Post » Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death  
  • slr4528
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

    I live in MN and our taxes have taxes. That is one big reason I could not get on board with Cain’s national sales tax plus national income tax. I like Bachman have only seen taxes go up….they never go away.

    Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:20pm

      The only way to institute the “Fair Tax” is to eliminate all other taxation in a law that would require a supermajority to overturn. You are correct no one will convince taxpayers that a sales tax or VAT in addition to income tax will not become a night mare. Where I live the city has attempted several times to institute a sales tax to “offset” property taxes, but the voters will only accept a complete replacement as the fear is that we would soon have both increasing property and sales taxes to fund some form of government waste.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • SgtB
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:38pm

      Cain’s 999 plan is a joke. He just wanted something he could front as his own idea. Before running he touted the FairTax plan. By far a better plan as it rids us of the IRS and is a truly “progressive” and voluntary tax. For all of you who think that a “flat” tax is a good idea, all I have to say is that it already exists. Everyone pays FICA taxes and don’t be fooled by the accounting trickery that says that your employer pays half. I‘m from a family that owns a business and I can assure you that you would not earn the same paycheck if your employer didn’t have to “pay” ~8% of your hourly wage to the federal government. You’d be putting that money in your pocket. Oh, and the flat tax that is FICA has risen to ~15% from the 1% that it started at, as with all taxes that are mandatory, gov’t has the ability to raise it whenever if feels necessary .

      And while I’m on FICA taxes, just imagine, all that money that the SSA says is in “your” SS account. Now imagine that you invested it in the day to day operations of an indebted and bloated gov’t beuracracy and that all that money would have to be paid back by future taxpayers of that nation when you start to receive benefits from that account. Got that imagined? Good. Now imagine that those taxpayers are your children and that the bloated gov‘t that you investe in is your own and that the debt that your elected officials incurred in your name is 15X larger than your SSI taxes ever were and that doesn’t even cov

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:05pm

    “California has one of the highest tax burdens in the country”. Our Governor is about to take it to another level. If you are a California resident who gives a darn please join the rest of us who are contacting our state representatives daily,to stop driving our state into this socialist madness.

    http://stopcaliforniadreamact.com/
    http://www.legislature.ca.gov/

    Report Post »  
  • ThatCatGirl
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:59pm

    Very interesting article… might want to correct the title.

    Report Post »  
  • Big_tuna
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Democrats don’t understand THE DEBT CEILING.
    Liberals don’t understand THE DEBT CEILING.

    Allow me to explain:

    Let’s say, you come home from work and find there has been a sewer backup in your neighborhood.

    Your home has sewage all the way up to your ceilings.

    What do you think you should do? Raise the ceilings or pump out the $$it?

    Your choice is coming in November. Don’t miss the opportunity.

    Report Post » Big_tuna  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:05pm

      Good analogy.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:20pm

      awesome

      Report Post »  
    • VTDave
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:40pm

      Printed and posted on my office wall……….

      Report Post » VTDave  
    • tbl10
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:24pm

      Great analogy, however the liberals answer would be to move into someone elses home and continue pumping in the shyt.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:45pm

      I like the analogy, but the reality is far worse. Every parent should know and understand that their willful ignorance or acceptance of gov‘t debt during their generation is directly tied to the endentured servitude of their children and their childrens’ children for generations to come. Indeed, if your gov’t borrows money to support your policies today, it has to promise that future generations will repay that debt. I’m not going to go so far as to say birth certs. are publicly traded bonds although evidence exists, but it is necessary to conclude that debts must once taken be repaid. This is law and it is enforceable. However, unlike your personal debts that are tied directly to your like and your labor/property, the gov’t debt that you incur cannot simply be washed away upon your death. It will be carried by your children for generations until either a generation commits itself to near slavish conditions to repay such debt or it is decided that it is better to surrender the savings of the entire nation by debasing the currency causing nationwide poverty on such a scale that would make the “great depression” look downright agreeable and homelike.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:36pm

      Well said.

      Report Post » Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death  
    • liberalescheisskopf
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 3:22am

      Don’t call it $$it, call it Scheiss!

      Report Post » liberalescheisskopf  
  • momrules
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:51pm

    When the politicians and pundits talk about cutting entitlement they seem to only talk about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

    I always want to scream at them What about Welfare? One of the most expensive and abused entitlement programs in the country.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:12pm

      exactly. My husband and I have paid in a combined 500k to the social security program. entitlement my foot. We paid half of a million dollars into that program not my problem the politicians robbed the coffers, welfare is the problem. If they woud have invested my 500k wisely like I would have done they wouldn’t have this problem. Gte rid of the welfare abusers and make it an opt in program like insurance,

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:33pm

      @HorseCrazy
      That is the best argument for privatizing SS which just spends the money. If you invested conservatively in stocks and bonds, including the dips in 2008-2009 and the depression you would make a better return that your SS share. The congress uses the scare tactics of “what if granny is relying on her earnings now (pick a time of market downturn)”. My answer would be probably in less than a year the market will return so that her loss is not really realized UNLESS she succumbs to panic and withdraws every thing. The argument that people do not know how to invest may NOW be true but, would rapidly self correct if everyone was in their own IRA. Now, no telling what will happen with the EURO etc which is a problem with the government thinking they know best how to spend peoples money. But I would still rather bet on investing my own money than having Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, or having Barack “spread it around”. Who would you bet on, yourself or the federal government?

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:11pm

      Your SS was spent before it ever left your pockets. All socialist entitlement programs are paid for with taxes, using the “but I was forced at gun point to hand over money to fund the entitlement program” doesn‘t mean that it’s not a socialist entitlement program. Sorry.

      It’s a socialist entitlement program, like medicare, medicaid and other entitlements, and needs to be abolished (incrementally so we don’t hurt people already in those systems) and replaced with nothing.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • TalkingMonkeyNot
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 2:30am

      GHOSTOFJEFFERSON – re: Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:11pm

      You are exactly correct. People just do NOT want to admit that they have been HAD. Many, many people think that they’ve legitimately paid into a “protected retirement system”… unfortunately, they have not. It was a government Ponzi Scheme from the start. There was NEVER any locked box, so to speak. It was ALWAYS a part of the plan to “socialize” this country and the world.

      THEY LIED! They lie about every government redistribution scheme, disguised, of-course, as something the will “benefit the populace”, that they come up with. It’s ALL a part of the New World Order that they are implementing, which will include far fewer of us lowly peons than you can imagine.

      And how will they get rid of so many of us? WAR! Fabricated wars have been a part of human population control for millennia… AS WELL AS economic control… by? TPTB.

      And just who ARE TPTB? THAT, my dear Watson, IS the question of the day.

      One thing we know for sure… the “they” includes BOTH the Democrats AND the Republicans.
      (with a handful of exceptions, of-course)

      Report Post »  
    • TalkingMonkeyNot
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 12:47am

      RE: GHOSTOFJEFFERSON Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:11pm

      ~post script~
      And when people finally DO wake up and are able to finally admit to themselves (and really realize) they HAVE been had, THAT is when the “war” will break out (assuming they don’t try to disarm us first)… in this country… just like over in Greece, and next, Europe. Mainstreet U.S.A. was never intended to find out the truth until last. Why that would be, I have no idea. Maybe to fatten us up for the slaughter? It’s for certain that those who have already been used to meager existences will be more fit to fight. IF they have the will… and the resources.

      Then again, maybe we ARE all a bunch of right-wing nut-job conspiracy theorists, eh? Maybe NONE of this is really happening… maybe it will all go away if we just keep our heads in the sand a little longer. Maybe.

      Report Post »  
  • nobull14
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:50pm

    Too many Leaches in the country theses days !!!!! when it start to fall apart things will be real BAD ? for the person who has not prepared !!!!

    Report Post »  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:49pm

    Regarding Alaska, the “checks” they send to the citizens are their lawful share of the subsurface resources that are owned in common by all Alaskans. Example some states, Texas for example if you own the land you own the resources under that land and can sell them, that is not true in many other states. In that respect Alaska is similar to Alberta and Norway whose residents own the resource in common. The proceeds are invested and disbursed back to the rightful owners yearly based on a percentage of the gains(losses). This is just like owning shares in a corporation that pays dividends thus the name Permanent Fund Dividend. If the regulators would let some people explore for resources even more would be made which is also taxed by the federal government therefore enriching the entire nation and reducing our dependence of foreign sources for not just oil and gas, but many strategic minerals as well. Also, the lower 48 states actually have with the exception of very few Rocky Mountain States, most of their land in private ownership and is therefore taxable (property and income). Almost all land in AK is in federal ownership and we cannot tax that land at all. Regarding education we do pay alot per student, however in road accessible parts of the state we are probably average, the rural areas incur a much higher cost per student as you may have as few as 10 students in some rural schools (state law decrees that the state must fund schools for communities with at least 10 stude

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:04pm

      continued.
      With at least 10 students. Also, the permanent fund average payout per Alaskan is just over $1000/year. The price of gasoline in Anchorage is currently 3.90 and heating bills average $200/month. The cost of living is about the same as Boston or San Francisco while the average wage is lower. My beef is the absolute lack of understanding of the permanent fund, it is NOT welfare or free money, it is our lawful share of the sale of our resources, Thankfully, the past state government saw the wisdom of returning the money to the individual rather than inflating state government, though recent legislatures have tried to reverse that decision, people like Hollis French and Bill Wielechowski being our most “liberal” legislators, ironically they too believe that they know better how to spend our money. My last question is do you think of your earning on your personal IRA should be considered as “welfare” or subject to distribution to people you do not know?

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • gwssacredcause
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:24pm

      Thank you for your post, I know what you say is true I lived and worked in Alaska at one time and know it is a great state. I wish you and your state good fortune and God’s speed.

      Report Post »  
    • thekuligs
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:32pm

      You are absolutely right, I saw Alaska on the list and just sort of shrugged it off. They aren’t CA, it’s not a welfare state.

      Report Post » thekuligs  
  • Continental Patriot
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:44pm

    As a resident of New Jersey, I have to say the rank they give this state is very true. The taxes are outrageous here. And the liberal democrats are seeking to raise them even more right now.

    Thieves. All of them.

    Report Post » Continental Patriot  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:42pm

    this needs to be dumbed down ……………………………..i dont think the libs can comprehend the information this contains

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • Mike N
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:55pm

      The Libs won’t bother to read it, because they already know it to be the truth . . . they just don’t want to face the reality that they are killing the goose.

      Report Post »  
    • Choctaw25
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 8:20am

      The liberals can’t read, that’s why we are in the state of disaster we are in. When you read and find out the facts for youself, you become a conservative.

      Report Post » Choctaw25  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:37pm

    A recent study showed, 70% of illegals are on some sort of welfare, so in essence , we are borrowing money from China, to give to illegals….. Its the new American Dream !!! WELFARE

    Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:47pm

      Sad, but true.

      Report Post »  
    • nobull14
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 12:55pm

      True

      Report Post »  
    • Mikev5
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:16pm

      I can say most people don’t have a clue how bad we get screwed by the illegals most game the system so hard they don’t even need to work not to mention this… taxes are collected by the household but if you have two or three generations living in the same home then they are not paying their fair share of the tax burden they are leaches legally stealing from hard working Americans.

      One trick they do is drop any work insurance they could get and claim they can’t get and or have any health insurance so social services ends up paying the tab that means we pay the tab.

      Report Post » Mikev5  
    • gwssacredcause
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 1:37pm

      It is my understanding the the Nursery industry in Tennessee employees illegal aliens and the government gives them a subsidy for low rent housing. The local employment offices admit that one job vacancy is left listed so they can say American citizens will not work the jobs they offer. One man in a local court stood and said “nobody will ever touch my Mexicans.” Part of the scam to get identification for illegal aliens is for the department of motor vehicles to sell the license to the illegal aliens. The last article I read on this was for a price of between 1,000 and 1,500 dollars. Only certain counties in Tennessee cooperate with the arrest of illegal aliens. The human trafficking and drug business in Tennessee has also brought certain people bigger income.

      Report Post »  
    • SHOWMESTATEGUY
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:54pm

      And they all vote democratic. The dems know where their votes come from and the dem base knows where their money comes from. Great scam as long as you have someone else that will pay for it.

      Report Post »  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love