I would like to thank all of you that pay taxes.

[highgrit]

We received our drought relief check today. I feel kind of guilty and Un American. I will never figure out how giving people subsidies or relief checks is any different than welfare. But I will promise every one that we will not buy beer or drugs with our check. Thanks again, my fellow Taxpayer's.

 

[Deepsouth]

Look at it this way highgrit, you are a tax payer being reimbursed for just a small amount of the taxes you've played over the years. Welfare is giving to those who do not pay taxes and the payment comes from people like you who do pay taxes. You should feel no guilt.

 

[Hook]

Justification aside: did you earn the check, does it reflect the direct losses you've taken, and do you feel good about getting the check?

 

[Bigfoot]

We may be talking about two different things, but I signed up the day the program opened. I understood it would be quit a while before I got paid. It'd be nice if mine was automatically deposited soon.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Well I don't need to worry about no drought money.

 

[lovehammer]

Highgrit, why did you take the money if you feel guilty and un-American? There's always a choice.

It should sting a man's pride to take a hand-out.

 

[Jogeephus]

I refuse their offers. Not judging you but was it really worth it? Keep in mind it took $3 to give you the $1. Did it really help you? I don't get the drought relief. Drought is part of it. When it happens you sell down. Its not like you've lost cows and what they give you is nothing.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

I figure its kinda like breaking bread with the devil. But that's just how I look at it. Been told I just see things the wrong way.

 

[Deepsouth]

I refuse their offers. Not judging you but was it really worth it? Keep in mind it took $3 to give you the $1. Did it really help you? I don't get the drought relief. Drought is part of it. When it happens you sell down. Its not like you've lost cows and what they give you is nothing.

You've never paid any taxes Jo? What's wrong with a honest tax payer getting a little back. I see a big difference in a overtaxed citizen getting some of his back and a welfare queen who's never paid a penny of taxes in their life.

 

[Jogeephus]

I refuse their offers. Not judging you but was it really worth it? Keep in mind it took $3 to give you the $1. Did it really help you? I don't get the drought relief. Drought is part of it. When it happens you sell down. Its not like you've lost cows and what they give you is nothing.

You've never paid any taxes Jo? What's wrong with a honest tax payer getting a little back. I see a big difference in a overtaxed citizen getting some of his back and a welfare queen who's never paid a penny of taxes in their life.

Its this mindset that sets the table for all these programs. Just think what would happen if every stood up and put their big boy britches on and said I don't want your money just don't tax me so much. Everyone wants these little carrots. It cost three dollars in bureaucracy to give out the dollar. Is that worth it? They aren't helping Highgrit they are helping themselves by insuring themselves a place at the government trough.

I could rack up on government handouts if I had a mind to because I know how to work the system. Each year I can spend $700 and get back $14,000 without any problem. Are you saying it is alright for me to do this? I've paid in way more than that so I can rationalize its my money but in good conscious I know its not. Its OURS and it belongs in OUR pockets not THEIRS.

 

[John SD]

Look at it this way highgrit, you are a tax payer being reimbursed for just a small amount of the taxes you've played over the years. Welfare is giving to those who do not pay taxes and the payment comes from people like you who do pay taxes. You should feel no guilt.

^^^^^^X2^^^^^^^ You will be back to paying your share of taxes and then some before you know it.

Those who make welfare their carreer have never paid taxes, and never will. :2cents:

 

[Shanghai]

Anyway way you slice it, it's no different than welfare.
I wonder what freedoms are lost when signing up for drought relief programs

 

[Bigfoot]

I think were looking at this wrong. The government needs a safe, and never ending food supply. Americans need to eat. If the few people left farming all went broke our country, and every citizen in it would be in a world of hurt. I wouldn't set myself up for a big subsidy. I'll gladly take one I've got coming. I'm not just justifying my actions, I really feel that way. I'm not going to buy a new truck with my check either. I'm going to pay myself back the cash reserves I got in to buying hay and supplements.

 

[John SD]

The early October 2013 blizzard with the official name "Winter Storm Atlas" was devastating in this area. I have no problem with the federal relief program that has came about in the aftermath of this storm for western SD ranchers.

I experienced no direct financial loss from the storm. The neighbors who bought my place also purchased my cow herd. Over 40 of my former cows perished in the storm. More than that of cattle they had raised themselves also, most in another neighbor's dam.

It was a horrible job to fish all those dead cattle out of the dam and bury them in a nearby pit. This scene was repeated in several counties.

Estimates vary but most sources agree at least 40000 cattle were killed in the storm. My neighbors and others say it set them back financially at least 10 years.

I can't do much anymore and am worthless to help physically. The electricity was off for a week . My O2 concentrator and CPAP need electricty to work, so as soon as I could get out I headed for town to stay with my sister. My neighbor used my Kubota and my 4 wheeler on his own place and to help other neighbors.

Like many others, in the aftermath of the storm I made donations to worthwhile private relief efforts including Rancher Relief, Farm Bureau, and Catholic Social Services. Yes, I also used the benefit of the tax deduction.

Ranchers are a tough resilient bunch. Most will survive this and with a hand up can make a comeback. Unfortunately, a few will not.

 

[highgrit]

Hook, I don't see where we lost anything. Yes we sold down because of the drought, but doubled or tripled our money on cull cows. Yes I feel guilty. ..but my wife is the majority - minority owner. We try to have our ducks in a row or so we think. Jo, I knew how you felt but I am kind of a straight up guy please don't hold it against me. But this was part of my reasoning, obama care is costing us money that we should not have to pay. Next year it will cost us $1200.00 each. I won't buy health insurance and no one should be able to make me. And I don't take orders from a negro terrorist.
Why should anyone subsidize my business losses?

 

[Shanghai]

The way I see it, this is how cattleman's freedoms will be lost
This is the first step the cattle business becomes like farming.
It'll become just like farming and you'll be allotted so many head, spent all your time at the FSA office signing paper work and them telling you what you can and cannot do for a few dollars in return.
You'll no longer be in charge of your business and the FSA will dictate how things will be done.

I'll quit and be a truck stop hore before I'll do it

 

[dun]

It's a personal choice. The last time they had it I got maybe enough for a couple of bales of hay. This year it was going to be a lot more. Weaning weights were down, BCS at weaning was down, had to feed some of my winter hay. Still couldn;t bring myself to sign up this time.

 

[lovehammer]

Hook, I don't see where we lost anything. Yes we sold down because of the drought, but doubled or tripled our money on cull cows. Yes I feel guilty. ..but my wife is the majority - minority owner. We try to have our ducks in a row or so we think. Jo, I knew how you felt but I am kind of a straight up guy please don't hold it against me. But this was part of my reasoning, obama care is costing us money that we should not have to pay. Next year it will cost us $1200.00 each. I won't buy health insurance and no one should be able to make me. And I don't take orders from a negro terrorist.
Why should anyone subsidize my business losses?

You don't take orders from a "negro terrorist" but you'll sure take his money.

 

[highgrit]

It's not his money. Its the working folks money. And this isn't his country either.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Highgrit your sure right about that. One thing for sure I would rather you got the money than them bastards at GM.