Well lets see...

1: Not everyone can be a millionaire. Some of us aren't greedy. If that "millionaire" were to all of a sudden go into debt because of a situation they couldn't control and needed assistance to live day to day, many, if not most of the Lancaster County community would still be willing to help out, if non other than our basic beliefs to help those in need... If you read or keep in update with the news there are many wealthy families in Lancaster County that go out of their way to help the less fortunate because they themselves were less fortunate in the past and have remembered this. It is the outsiders that come into this area that live in SNOB Hill that believe we owe them everything just because they earn more money than us.

2. Social programs like education, healthcare, and housing....... Education is very important whether you are financially well off or are dirt poor.. Don't even go there! Healthcare premiums are astronomical for anyone. Just imagine a millionaire having to pay for healthcare. If they work for the same company as the little guy the rich still make out. My healthcare costs me around $450.00 a month on my salary.... A little bit over $100.00 deducted from my wages in one week. Now I work at a job making $10.00 an hour for forty hours a week=$400.00 minus FICA, other taxes, and health & welfare/ retirement deductions of around $50.00 per paycheck. That leaves me very little to feed, clothe, and shelter my family!! My rent is over $800.00 per month for a very basic housing option because I make "too much money" for assistance. Groceries alone cost me around $100 - $150.00 per week, and then I have to pay for car insurance (Government mandatory), utilities, and the $40.00 visits to the doctor for my "co-pay" per visit.

A individual that is financially secure, unlike us actual "middleclass", compared to McCain's definition of "Middleclass, (i.e. $500,000.00 or below)" will be able to handle these additional expenses with no problems and still have money to take the kids to Walt Disney World for a entire week. I just wish I could afford to go to Walt Disney World for 1 day!!!

Housing: Yeap, until a few years ago I lived a financially viable life. Now with gas going up over $2.00 a gallon since that time, food prices doubling, and healthcare costs going insane I now must figure out how to live in a existance where over $800.00 a month I must make cuts to be able to afford housing without jeopardizing starving, or my child's healthcare. I would love to be able to afford even basic cable and entertainment for my family, but I can't!!!

It's sad but true!!! My salary I used to make ($25,000 per year including overtime) I used to live very comfortable with, but step forward 3 or 4 years and I now live in a world basically of poverty!!! Currently I only take home a little bit over $18,000.00 per year..... Maybe some of you economically well off will understand a little bit better where I am coming from using this example instead of placing blame on the rest of us for living our own lives!!!! Losing your employment because of job cuts, etc is never easy, and trying to save for retirement/college is next to impossible....

So please.... Those of you that make enough money financially... I don't want to hear about you losing your $million dollar houses and having to move into a house only worth $250,000.00 ..... There are those amongts us in the USA would love to have just one day of your lifestyle!!!

Thank You very Much......

Where did you copy and paste that from Joe?

If what the person posted is true, some things do not add up.

1st of all, if they make $25,000 per year and are single and have a child, they would be eligible for EIC. That would dramatically lower their taxes and would take home more then $18,000.

2nd they would not need to pay for the child's health insurance or co-pays as they would qualify for the CHIP program at no cost.

3rd with wages at $25,000 you are at the limit for housing assistance for Lancaster with a 2 person family. You could qualify for partial assistance.

Maybe the person is not aware of these programs or maybe we are not getting the complete story. These program are in place to help people in the situation described because they are the ones that need help. There are many churches in the area who would assist with food and utility bills for those in the situation described. Check out the resources, they are available to assist you.

so basically what you're saying is bye bye to being middle class go on the welfare rolls? Then you'll be attacking this individual for being a "welfare mom (or dad)" taking advantage of the system - right? This should solve all of their problems...sigh.

Sorry, but $25,000 today is no longer middle class, especially if you are a single-parent. The person outlined that they are barely making ends meet. There is a big difference between 'taking advantage' of programs and using them if you are truly needy. It is not up to me to judge either way.