US Rep Thaddeus McCotter (R - Livonia MI) has introduced the HAPPY Act, to give a $3500 tax refund to pet owners to reimburse expenses. Now, Dr.Desert Flower and I have 2 felines who we serve, and I know many readers of this blog have dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and other pets as well... but $3.5K from the already nearly bankrupt US Treasury?
I am torn on this one. The selfish part of me, and the animal lover in me both like this concept very much, but the pragmatist in me, thinks it is ludicrous.
9 years ago
Ridiculous... but I'd take it.
ReplyDeleteArguably about as good as any other "stimulus"?
ReplyDeleteNo, the primary purpose of stimulus is to mitigate unemployment. On that front, this is definitely not as good as "any other", since I see no job creation out of this. Ludicrous is the correct judgment. I assumed this was an OnionTV thing but apparently this is real?
ReplyDeleteJoe, this is not a tax refund. Even Thad himself is confused on this point, as he initially refers to it as a tax credit (which it is not) and later as a tax deduction (which it is). I checked the library of congress site for the exact wording (hr 3501) to confirm that it's a deduction. So, if passed, you could deduct up to $3500 for care of your cats. That's not an addl $3500 refund for you unless you're in the 100% tax bracket.
Ron, point taken, but the pet costs will be incurred by the tax payer with or without the bill. So in a taxpayer's personal myopic view, when they file in February or March (I never wait until April) for a tax refund, veterinary costs could be deducted, adding to the refund that the tax payer is hoping to get from the nearly bankrupt, currency devaluing, owe-it-all-to-the-Saudis-and-Chinese US Treasury. I am glad it is not a tax credit - I could see the headlines now "welfare moms and cat ladies!".
ReplyDeleteI found it very strange that this is coming from a Republican, who from Youtube videos, apparently is on Fox News often (as I don't watch Fox, just TDS highlights of the Murdoch political machine).
I, too, find it very strange that it's coming from this guy. I looked him up and one of his editorials was "the stimulus is not working", and things along those lines. So a big tax break to pet owners doesn't seem consistent to me, either. That's why I still have hard time thinking this is serious. Maybe it's a prank and he's actually got a really good sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a prank.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3501:
I think it's a plot by rural senators to get free health care for their sheep and pigs...after all, they's like part of the family.
ReplyDeleteFunny JoeM! But no, Livonia is in the heart of Suburban Detroit. I've driven through it before on my trips to parts suppliers there. Not a sheep or lamb in the county, from what I saw... at least... none that are in a pasture. If there's any being held in a gimp box in a basement, I'd have no idea. LOL!
ReplyDelete