Monday, February 23, 2009

[out]rage

I had quite the shock today.

[quite, and i was not quiet about it]

I never received a W-2 from my last company but managed to get one sent online to me.

I've been eager to file my taxes all year--

I wanted to process my claim so I can have some extra $$$.

My unemployment has been screwed up and I haven't been paid in over a month, so a little $$$ would be nice right about now.

I go online and start processing my claim. The beautiful numbers light up in green, showing how much the government will be paying me.

[excellent]

It even had this little thing that said "Since you lost your job last year, we will work hard to get you the largest claim."

Well, I had to put in my unemployment information (a 10-99 G)

Suddenly
the.green.numbers.

p
l
u
m
m
e
t
e
d

and then

they went into the RED

showing how much I now OWE the US government.

Unemployment wages aren't taxed in most states.


How can I describe this?
I feel sick--sick to my stomach.

To my heart.

such a heaviness
hopelessness

I started crying.

and RAGING.

how can they rape us like this?

They give us 1/4 of our normal wages to "help" tide us over.

They make you go through all these steps and hoops and rigamorale.

They hold back your unemployment compensation for the stupidest things and are practically impossible to get in touch with.

So you stand there, hat-in-hand, taking the dole.
shamed.

AND THEN THEY ASK FOR IT BACK!!!

What kind of Indian giving is that?

US government,

you wrong your people.

you hurt your people.

We have felt the shame and wariness and fear of unemployment.

We have felt the belt tighten.

We have held out hands of wounded pride for your money.

Government
of the people
for the people
by the people

why do you rape your people of their hope?

What about the woman with medical bills that was looking forward to using her tax rebate to pay them off?

What about the young man who has student loans and rent and is running low on Ramen noodles?

What about the older man who cannot find work and has watched his 401K disappear?

What about the mom who was going to use her tax return to give her child a big birthday present?

What about your people???

You give us money, then you want it back.
You give us money, but do not warn us to save it, since you will want so much of it back.

You give us money, and we look forward to getting a tax return, and then find out we owe YOU money.

Haven't you taken enough?

Your greed has robbed our families!!

I grieve for the people you rob of hope.

For the people that went through what I went through today. That awful sinking realization that not only are you not getting money back, you have to pay out too.

I was only unemployed 2 months last year. I watched all my rebate disappear and then come up short. What about the ones who have been looking for months?

What about me next year??

You see, Government, I have Hope in Jesus Christ. Not in my money. This is what I am learning much deeper from you.

But there are people who do not have this Hope.

And you take what little Hope they have and demand more

We cannot give you more!!

We have no more to give you--you have taken it all--

I am so angry at you, Government.

Your incompetency screams loudly.

My Hope cannot be in you.
It cannot be in Obama.

You give false hope.
You make us cry bitterly.

You take our dignity, our dollars.

Your false hope smells of despair.

I have cried much today
more for the ones without Hope

The ones you sweet-talked and then raped.

May God judge you--not me.

America, what has become of you?

Is this how you help your "huddled masses"?

You give us just enough money to barely pay rent and car insurance. No more than that--and I have more bills than that.

I believe you will have to answer for the hurt and grief you have caused with your "help."

I can't believe I owe you money.

Haven't you taken enough?


Listen closely, America.

I have no hope in you.
Not you, not Obama, not America.

I have Hope only in Jesus Christ.
He saves people--and not just half-way.
He isn't an Indian giver.

What He gives is forever.

And these are the words I sang from the old hymn while crying in the shower:

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

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