Letters, 5/16: Rebate provision unfair
I, like most Americans, was excitedly waiting for my economic stimulus check. As a college student, this money would really help out right now.
Last week, when my younger sister didn’t receive a refund, I began to get worried. I decided to do more research.
Now, after months of waiting, I find the stipulation that if you are claimed as a dependent, you do not qualify for the refund. I know that I am not the only one who was not aware of this.
All my friends are expecting the refund, and I’ve heard people at work and school discuss what they would do with their money.
This leaves me with two questions: Why was the fact that you do not qualify if you’re a dependent not publicized, and what makes me less deserving of this economic stimulus than anyone else? While being a full-time student, I work between 30 and 35 hours a week.
What does my being claimed as a dependent really mean? Does it mean that my parents pay for my gas, or phone bill, or other expenses? I wish. No. All it means is that a lot of people who could really use the money aren’t getting it.
I have always been a big Bush supporter, but this shakes my confidence. It hurts to know that your president considers you to be … insignificant?
Jamie Cajka, Lincoln
Flier spurred vote for Jeffers
I would like to thank the Nebraska Democratic Party for sending out the fliers labeling James Arthur Jeffers as “Mr. Moneybags.”
I had done my research on the legislative candidates for the 21st District, but I was still not sure whom to vote for. The fliers came out just in time and solidified my decision. I voted for Jeffers.
If Jeffers was so disliked by liberal Nebraska Democrats that he was worth that much effort and money, he must be doing something right.
Democrats (especially the more liberal ones) have been on the wrong side of so many issues these days that it makes it easier for me to support whomever they attack. Thanks again, Nebraska Dems.
James A. Herrold, Lincoln
Litter fee exists
Of course Don C. Sutton is correct (“Keep it clean, Lincoln,” letter, May 13). Lincoln should be a beacon of cleanliness to all of Nebraska and the nation.
However, the tax remedy he suggests already exists. Passed in 1979, and enacted in 1980, the Nebraska Litter Fee taxes retailers of food, soft drinks, liquor, wine, beer, tobacco products, household paper, cleaning agents and kitchen items, as well as manufacturers or wholesalers of containers made of glass, metal, plastic, fiber, or synthetic materials.
Maybe, along with the efforts of Lincolnites, the tax we already pay could be put to better use in cleaning up our great city.
Aron Wiest, Lincoln
Lincoln drivers careless
I agree with Eric T. Foster’s comments (letter, May 12) about Jeff Richardson’s complaint about the terrible drivers in Lincoln (letter, May 2).
I have a suggestion for all those drivers who need to drive at the speed limit or higher — give yourself more time to get to your destination. Leave home a few minutes earlier and give yourself the opportunity to be a safe and courteous driver and not one who causes accidents.
I, too, have returned to Lincoln after having driven in many other cities — most of them much larger and with more traffic than Lincoln. I have never seen so many careless, rude and dangerous drivers as in Lincoln.
After I was hit from behind by a tailgating driver, the responding police officer agreed with me that he sees more tailgaters here than anywhere else he’s driven. My observation has been that it is usually the young woman who does the tailgating — often with a cell phone at her ear.
I drive at the speed limit and keep up with traffic, but nearly every day I experience someone on my bumper, impatiently wanting me to go faster, or someone who rolls through a stop sign because he/she is on the phone, or tries to turn with the one free hand and wanders into another lane.
Pat Kinney, Lincoln

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TS wrote on May 17, 2008 4:28 am:
boohoo wrote on May 17, 2008 5:10 am:
Taxes wrote on May 17, 2008 5:19 am:
So, if you want your tax rebate, ask your parent or guardian for it out of their rebate. "
karwied wrote on May 17, 2008 6:58 am:
Mark wrote on May 17, 2008 7:47 am:
Davey D wrote on May 17, 2008 7:56 am:
Sylvia wrote on May 17, 2008 7:58 am:
Gary wrote on May 17, 2008 8:02 am:
Dear college student wrote on May 17, 2008 8:23 am:
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which authorized the pre-payment of this one-time credit, stipulates that the payment is not to be made to any of the following:
* Individuals who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return;
* Nonresident aliens; or
* Anyone who does not have a valid Social Security Number.
So, if you and your friends had done your homework you would not be upset that you did not receive a check. Since you are upset, please include the congress in your anger.
"
Lafferman wrote on May 17, 2008 8:25 am:
LC wrote on May 17, 2008 8:26 am:
Ask your parents for the extra money they got in their stimulus for claiming you. The money can't be given twice, and if they claimed children then they got more than those who don't. If your parents aren't supporting you then they shouldn't be claiming you. "
rebate wrote on May 17, 2008 8:27 am:
To Jamie wrote on May 17, 2008 8:29 am:
Quit whining wrote on May 17, 2008 8:44 am:
The stimulus check went out, just it went to the one who pays the majority of your bills, according to how the taxes were filed. If you think you deserve the check, talk to your parents. "
JT wrote on May 17, 2008 9:06 am:
Tax Provision Fair wrote on May 17, 2008 9:08 am:
gvlen wrote on May 17, 2008 9:11 am:
W wrote on May 17, 2008 9:36 am:
Im not saying that I NEVER tailgait, but you can be assured that the few times that I do, I never take my eyes off the car in front of me-I'm not talking on my cell phone or reaching down to change my radio station (I have the controls on my steering wheel.) I also never tailgate if there's icy, rainy or snowy roads. BTW, I've never hit anyone when I'm driving, but have been hit by other drivers.
Pat, I love how you say people just need to leave earlier to get to the destination on time-like that's possible for everyone. I work two jobs, so don't always have that luxury. Many parents also don't have that luxury, as kids don't always follow this perfect little time schedule & kids frequently decide to spit up or throw a tantrum right before leaving the house or daycare. Also, we wouldn't need to tailgate if you "law-abiding people" would actually drive the speed limit-35 mph does not mean that you drive 30 or 25. At least be fair about this! "
bummer wrote on May 17, 2008 9:49 am:
Don't look to the government for a handout. Look to yourself to achieve things. Your best bet is to work to keep the government out of your life and your pocketbook. "
disappointed in rebate also wrote on May 17, 2008 10:03 am:
Dependency Status wrote on May 17, 2008 10:39 am:
to Pat wrote on May 17, 2008 10:49 am:
Shoes wrote on May 17, 2008 11:24 am:
Slow Drivers wrote on May 17, 2008 1:05 pm:
Mark wrote on May 17, 2008 1:48 pm:
kd wrote on May 17, 2008 2:00 pm:
"
Grow up wrote on May 17, 2008 2:02 pm:
REW wrote on May 17, 2008 2:32 pm:
Ej wrote on May 17, 2008 4:41 pm:
parent of a teenager wrote on May 17, 2008 6:25 pm:
Nope wrote on May 17, 2008 6:30 pm:
To Slow Drivers: The speed of other drivers is no reason to tail gate. Did you think they may be going speed limit or maybe as fast as road conditions allow. If you took drivers ed or read the drivers manual, they tell you if someone is tail gating you, the thing to do is to slow down so you do not hit the car in front of you in case of an accident. If that bothers you, why don't you pass them instead of tail gating and raising your blood pressure.
I was rear ended recently by a tail gating teen ager---yes a teen ager (19 yr old to be exact)--- who was in a hurry and thought I would run a red light. I think he learned quickly not everyone is in as big a hurry as he and others, especially older people DO OBEY traffic laws and not think traffic laws apply to everyone but them. "
CS wrote on May 17, 2008 7:44 pm:
Anne wrote on May 17, 2008 7:50 pm:
thanks for writing. As a parent of 2 college age students, which we claim for insurance, I was rather confused by some of the comments towards Jamie. My sons pay their living expenses and have taken out loans for college tuition. As parents, we don't receive the 'extra' as mentioned in previous blogs. So glad you wrote in!
To Jamie, I am as disappointed as you. My sons were thinking of the financial assistance to help in their expenses, also.
The web of all communication being available is crucial. Government needs to make sure that information is publicized and explained in laymans terms and not buried in text.
"
entitlement my wrote on May 17, 2008 9:41 pm:
LC wrote on May 18, 2008 7:32 am:
Lincoln drivers are terrible wrote on May 18, 2008 11:28 am:
Entitlement your wrote on May 18, 2008 11:36 am:
mark wrote on May 18, 2008 4:39 pm:
jake wrote on May 18, 2008 5:55 pm:
The fact is that tax policys are not "publicized" in the media. I guess this goes down as a $600 lesson learned for you. "
Tod wrote on May 18, 2008 6:01 pm:
Leason learned wrote on May 18, 2008 7:38 pm:
Hey wrote on May 18, 2008 8:51 pm:
MarkyMark wrote on May 18, 2008 9:10 pm:
geewhiz wrote on May 18, 2008 10:03 pm:
Jon wrote on May 18, 2008 10:45 pm:
JimDandy wrote on May 19, 2008 8:34 am:
This is incorrect. It's not their money. I'm surprised so many people still think this is how SS works. Current SS checks are funded by SS taxes on current wage earners. The money is not put away in some government account for you to pull out at retirement. And on average after four years most recipients have taken out more than they put in thier entire working life. It's a social welfare system.
"
A Parent wrote on May 19, 2008 9:09 am:
stimulus wrote on May 19, 2008 10:11 am:
Josh wrote on May 19, 2008 11:50 am:
a Mom wrote on May 19, 2008 12:54 pm:
I wouldnt.... wrote on May 19, 2008 4:37 pm:
redheaded stranger wrote on May 19, 2008 4:47 pm:
Redbelly Havernut wrote on May 19, 2008 7:30 pm:
2.) I read about Jaime's diappointment at not getting a cut of the cash. A family friend's son wanted his cut too. He confronted his mother and demanded that she give him $600 because he has a job and pays taxes. She reminded him that he is 20 years old and still lives at home. She told him he could have it if he started paying his own health insurance, car insurance, water bill, electric and gas bills, groceries, etc. He still didn't understand why she wouldn't give him the money and left mad. I hope Jaime, her friends, and the rest of today's young adults are more reasonable and less "entitled" than our friend's son.
"
TAR wrote on May 19, 2008 11:25 pm:
L wrote on May 23, 2008 9:56 am:
Hmm wrote on May 23, 2008 10:05 pm: