I was going to make this just a reply to the following comment in another diary, but I changed my mind. After listening to local debates that seem to include an awful lot of people who seem to resent and grossly overestimate what teacher's make and others who are poo pooing the $8.00/ check amount, I thought it was worth a diary to explain to some folks how $8.00 per paycheck can really make a difference to a teacher in this country.
Here was the comment in another diary: (And no, I'm not going to link to it or call out the Kossack. That would be crass. Trust me that I'm quoting.)
My wife and I received anywhere from 2500 to 3000 a year with the Bush tax cuts. We only just hit 120k this year. Now next year when these are phased out I'll be left with 8.00 a week?
The Republican alternative plan would have been more beneficial to the lower and middle income familes and allowed small and large business the breathing room to hire. Also in the plan was a way to help the housing market.
Below, you will find my reply as an experienced, multi-degreed teacher about why I am GRATEFUL for the Stimulus Plan's $8.00 per paycheck.
Yeah, Poster Making 120K Per Year or More, you'll be losing that multi-thousand dollar tax cut, soon.
The average US DUAL household income is $63,347. So, over half of the country has both adults working and living on about HALF of what you're making. And this is assuming both adults continue to keep those jobs, which is a decidedly iffy proposition, at the moment.
Here's a glimpse into another family's reality with a different perspective on that measly $8.00 per check.
LOL That $8.00 a week is IMPORTANT to me! As an experienced teacher with 3 college degrees, we are really struggling since my health insurance increased by 100% this year and is now eating up a about 18% of my take home pay. My husband's IT job went to India well over a year ago, and despite being incredibly qualified, at 60 years old, he can't find a job. He's scrambling to pick up a training gig here and there ... or a little contract work. But, we're coming to grips with the possibility that he may never work full-time, again.
So, we live on my teacher's paycheck and hope, even though I live and work with constant pain. (I had surgery to remove a cantelope size tumor off of my spinal cord a number of years ago, so I have permanent nerve damage and peripheral nerve pain.) I am scared to death about not being able to continue walking like I need to do as a teacher, and instead of being partially disabled -- I worry about becoming permanently disabled.
Getting back to that $8.00 per week! Did you know that TEACHERS as a group are not covered by federal disability -- even if they worked in corporate America for 20 years and are fully vested in SS like I am? Yep. It's wrong, unfair -- but it's the law that even though I have already paid to be entitled to disability coverage even if I just chose to not work at all, ever again -- because I'm a teacher, I got kicked out of being qualified, period.
OT Shout out: Could someone PLEASE pass the Social Security Fairness Act, this year?
So, I need need to buy LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE to protect my family from destitution if I can't continue to work through the pain I already do. BUT, previously, the insurance company would not cover me due to the pre-existing condition. Talk about a doubly unfair Catch 22 scenario that punishes experienced scientists with strong business backgrounds from wanting to become teachers for this country.
UNTIL this year, when the insurance company is offering a one time opportunity to sign up for Long Term Disability w/o asking medical questions. Guess what it will cost? ... wait for it ... Yep, $8.00 per paycheck. So, that little bit of money is soooooooooo welcome!
That measly $8.00 per check will mean that I can afford to have one less worry when I'm up at 2am with muscle spasms, cramps, and pain in my legs.
This is a long response to one comment, but I wanted to provide a real glimpse into another family's situation and grateful reaction to ONLY $8.00/ paycheck. And, we are still among the better off families who make BELOW the average American income. (FYI I gross $41,000 with 4 years experience & 3 college degrees as a teacher. Yeah, THAT'S the way we pay our teachers in this country -- and I pay $528/ month of that for my HEALTH INSURANCE, alone. So, no, the benefits aren't good either.)
PS For anyone interested in "middle of the road" teacher salary rates, go here.
We're in better shape than some teacher's families I know that who have just been transformed into single income families, because when I worked in Corporate America, and I made 120K+ for years, we were careful with our money. We paid off our house, and our 2 cars are old but paid for too. So, we can survive, but pardon me if I chuckle a bit about your complaining at 120K that you won't be getting a $2500 tax break, this year.
Here's another glimpse at reality for a couple of other teachers' families: I know of two teachers with children under 10 who have recently become single earners for their families. One husband was a policeman, and the other was another IT professional. In their late 20's, they also have 4 years experience w/ master's degrees. Imagine their dismay and shock as they realized their families qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch program,and they realized that they were grateful to sign up. They are struggling to hold onto their homes. If I were still making that 120K+ salary, I wouldn't mind losing a few thousand bucks tax cut, if it meant my taxes would go toward helping out folks like these two families.
My purpose in posting this is NOT to evoke pity or to heap disdain on folks in the upper middle class. And, I actually do recognize and feel grateful that we are much better off than probably the majority of people in this country! My purpose in sharing all this is to present a perspective from a teacher, today, who is frankly a bit sick of the following:
- Hearing people attack teachers and teachers' unions in rants against taxes or the supposedly lousy state of public education. (Having worked in both corporate and public school settings, frankly, there is a MUCH higher percentage of educated, exceptionally talented, and committed professionals in most schools I'm familiar with than there was on most of the business management teams in the Fortune 100 companies I was part of. And, the vast, vast majority of the educators who are working their hearts out for the future of our nation are not getting paid nearly what they are worth and certainly don't deserve the almost reflexive, and regular abuse thrown their way.)
- Hearing people make fun of the Stimulus Plan that ONLY provides $8.00 per paycheck. Hello. For many people in this country, the $400 or $800 a year is a welcome relief, that will be put to a multitude of immediate needs and uses.
Whew. That feels better! :=) If you followed through to the end of all this, I encourage you to maybe hug or send a thank you note to some struggling, deserving teacher you know. And, when the Social Security Fairness Act comes up, AGAIN, I hope you will lend your support. We have a chance for getting it passed, this year, if MN ever seats a Senator. LOL