Thank you all for the help.

[Lyric]

On behalf of myself, my domestic partner, and our son--thank you. We work hard, like all of you do, but we are a poor family. Our dream is really small--all we want in the world is a small house of our own, on land of our own, reliable transportation, plenty of healthy food, enough savings to help our kid go to college, and then to have enough leftover to retire without starving or having to choose between food and medicine. Right now we have none of those things, but someday we will.

My partner works 12-15 hour days at a fast-food place to make ends meet, while I attend college full-time as a Political Science major. We struggle, but we get by with a little help from our friends. That includes every single one of you, the taxpayers of the USA, because we receive public assistance.

I get Food Stamps for my son and myself, and Medicaid for both of us as well. I'm fortunate enough that my state considers going to college during the day and caring for my son during the evening to be acceptable "work-related activities", so I can qualify for these programs. Even still, I know exactly who I have to thank for our groceries, checkups, and medicines--all of YOU.

I'm writing a paper for my Sociology class today on how poverty affects society, and it got me thinking about our personal situation. I found myself feeling profoundly grateful for the public assistance we get, because without it, I wouldn't be able to go to school right now. I'd have to work full-time to make up for the help we get with groceries and medical expenses, and then I'd have to work *overtime* to pay for the childcare I'd need in order to have a job in the first place. Food Stamps and Medicaid are the reason that I am able to be in college right now, and the reason that I'll be the first person in my entire family to have a college degree and a real "professional" job in a field that I love. I wanted to share that gratitude with the people who make all of this possible for me and my family.

So...thanks guys. Seriously. Every time you see the tax deductions on your paychecks, please know just how much of a HUGE difference you're making for my family, and other families like mine.

:yourock:

[annabanana]

1. S'ok, oktoberain.

I'm glad to help.

[maddezmom]

2. great post

:thumbsup: to you!

[Klukie]

3. No ....Thank You....

Thank You for a wonderful post.

[zippy890]

4. good luck to you and your family

great post

:hi:

[catnhatnh]

5. Gratitude-Gee, Who would have thunk it....

K&R&off to the greatest page....

[Rosemary2205]

6. How do political science majors make money?

I have always wondered how one turns such an abstract degree into cold hard cash.

I really am just curious.

And really great post. THANKS. Everyone at some time in their lives needs a helping hand of some sort.

[Lyric]

10. Well my plan is to get a job working in politics,

either directly within the government itself, or perhaps as a part of someone's campaign staff. After getting some experience and contacts there, I want to move on to work directly for one of the groups that I support, like the ACLU, or the NOW. After that, I'll probably go for my teaching certification and spend my golden years teaching politics and government to the next generation in college. :)

[Rosemary2205]

12. I hope it works out for you.

I've read on here more than once that "professorships" are next to impossible to come by - folks with masters or even PhD's in some abstract field saying they've been out of work for 5 or more years -- though I suspect what they really meant is that they didn't have their DREAM job for the last 5 years and were having great difficulty obtaining it. -- surely no "working person" can afford to have absolutely no income for 5-6 years?

Anyways, I keep a warm thought for your complete and total success! :)

[applegrove]

7. Well said. Hope it works out for you.

[Breeze54]

8. You are also a taxpayer, so thank yourself !

If you are a renter, then you are a taxpayer
If you buy non-edible products, then you are a taxpayer
If you work, then you are a taxpayer
If you drive a car or even take public transportation, then you are a taxpayer
If you purchase utilities, then you are a taxpayer
If you have a phone or cable TV, then you are a taxpayer
If you rent video's, then you are a taxpayer
If you buy drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol, then you are a taxpayer

I'm sure there could be more things added to this list.

Everyone in our society contributes taxes, either directly or indirectly, to the 'COMMONWEALTH'.

Despite what the RW spin machine likes to lie about, We ALL PAY TAXES, one way or another!!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. This is why I have no problem paying taxes

I've been there myself, and (god forbid) could be again someday. As grateful as I was for the help, I'm even more pleased that it helps others, like you. :hug:

[Gelliebeans]

11. Wow

What a great post. Your family is the reason we need these safety nets in place for now and the future.

You and your family are awesome :yourock: :hug:

[Booster]

13. One of my all time favorite Joan Baez songs is "There, but for

fortune, go you or I". That song has always made me realize it could be me someday and I might need a little help to pick myself up again. I really don't mind paying my part in taxes so younger people like yourself can go on to make a difference in this world. When you get into politics, do good stuff.:hug:

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I'm happy to help, Oktoberain

because 35 years ago I was receiving public assistance myself for my daughter and me. It's a "pay it forward" kind of thing...

[shireen]

15. you rock too

living in this crazy world is not easy. It's also scary, especially if you have a child because you're also fighting for his future. Hang in there.
:hug: