Mike wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: LivingInThePhilippi
[mailto:LivingInThePhilippi
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 6:47 AM
To: LivingInThePhilippi
Subject: [LinP3] Re: A lesson in welfare from a Filipino
Okay Cecil, I'll bite. I am glad that I was able to work hard, earn big
money and pay taxes. I am glad the taxes paid for
infrastructure and assistance to the handicapped. As a member of
society, I recognize my obligation to pay for the common welfare.
Now you have met one.
My comment relating the paying of taxes to the offering of charity was
poorly stated. Taxes are often used for welfare (though seldom here).
Those who don't believe in welfare are not of a charitable bent. Many if
not the majority of those who live here find themselves doing charitable
deeds.
The adage you cited is very accurate for the Philippines. Many who do not
work here do not eat, and this includes infants, children, old people, sick
people, and handicapped people. Those who are hale and hearty fight in
lines to earn a few bowls of rice to feed the family for a day.
The connection between those who aren't able to eat and those who give
charity is inevitable. Anyway, if you don't want to feed the starving
children, come anyway, they will still smile at you and thank you for
meeting them.
Mike M.
Dear Mike,
How true, Mike! What a joy to be able to help, even a little, and sometimes
just with a smile.
The best gift you can give a Filipino is a job. Everyone wants a job, their
dream, a *decent* job that will allow them to support their family, maybe
even be able to get a tooth pulled at a real dentist. Not just a job that
will pay their transportation. Having enough money to owe taxes would be a
dream come true, for most.
Most have never been to a "real dentist," or "real doctor." Medical care is
from the "quack doctor," maybe the father. In the province, the country
side, books in the house are rare and then they are second hand school
books, out of date. Magazines are even more rare. Warm clothes for this cold
wet weather is a dream too. An extra t-shit will do for the lucky ones with
the arm tucked under the shirt, not through the sleeves where they get cold.
They don't know what welfare is. There is no welfare office here, or if
there is how would they get there. Most don't have jeepney money to go
anywhere and live far from any services, even a decent store. How cash poor
these generally happy people are is astounding! Yes, Mike, even a smile goes
a long way.
I notice the left headlight on my car was very dim, yesterday. So I took it
to a mechanic, a guy who claims to be one anyway, has some tools and a shed.
I told him I wanted to replace it. He said, "What for? It works, sir?" Maybe
he thought I was blind. Why anyone would spend money to fix something that
was not completely broken and totally disabling, he did not understand.
Money is so hard to come by here, you don't spend it for anything but rice
and some fish if there is any left, for the large portion of the population.
Welfare is the help of your relative or friend if they can help. But usually
they need help too.
Respectfully,
Don
Don A. Herrington
http://www.livingin
Philippines, Heart of Asia:
Expat, Foreigner, Tourist Form
http://www.livingin
--- In LivingInThePhilippi
<texascecil@
>
> Mike,
> I do not think I have ever met any hard working man that enjoys paying
> taxes or enjoys having his tax dollars go to people that willing do
> not work or contribute to socity in a meaningful way.
>
> I guess I misssed something or my brain is on vacation...I do not see
> the connection between enjoying paying taxes and wether or not someone
> chooses to live here.
>
> Personally..
> to eat or get to eat (from the days of the Pilgrims) texascecil
>
> --- In LivingInThePhilippi
> <drmike97007@
> >
> >
> > Is it possible that you have a vision problem, Alex? Is it
> possible
> > that people here try but you don't know about it? Is it
possible
> > that people try to get work day after day but can't get a leg up
> and
> > get weary? Is it possible that you don't really know many
people
> > who haven't been able to succeed? How about the lame, weary,
sick,
> > handicapped? Are you able to tell the difference between those
> and
> > others who are able?
> >
> > Having paid taxes throughout your lifetime, and apparently
> resenting
> > it, have you ever developed any interest in charity? If this is
> the
> > guaranteed opinion of the majority on this list, then its safe
to
> > say that that majority are posers who have no intention of
living
> > here. Mike M.
> >
> >
> > --- In LivingInThePhilippi
> > <alex27united@
> > >
> > > The
> > > > system actually works incredibly well, even though the
complex
> > > > interlinking of the dependancies is very hard to understand
> and
> > > > accept for many a western husband/boyfriend - many of whom
> seem
> > to
> > > > accept being taxed for State collective provision of welfare
> in
> > > > their home country, but cannot accept giving freely to the
> > wife/gf's
> > > > family in a society (which is not taking much tax off them
> when
> > they
> > > > are resident in Philippines) which does not provide support
> > through
> > > > the State.
> > > >
> > > And, for me, herein lies the problem. I have been taxed, at
> times
> > over-
> > > taxed in my opinion, on the small amount of money I have
managed
> > to
> > > accrue over my hard working lifetime. Why should I now be
> subject
> > to a
> > > further, "dependant family", tax system?
> > > I paid taxes on the money I earnt building a new home for my
in-
> > laws.
> > > I paid taxes on the money I earnt providing a tricycle for the
> > brother-
> > > in-law.
> > > I paid taxes on the money I earnt provsioning a sari sari
store
> > for my
> > > sister-in-law.
> > > I paid taxes on the money I earnt to educate their 3 sons.
> > > I paid taxes on the money I earnt to bury Lolo.
> > > I paid taxes on the money I sent last week to pay off the 5/6.
> > > I could go on, but I imagine you see my point.
> > >
> > > I will help those in need, I will not help those whom I cannot
> see
> > > trying to help themselves.
> > >
> > > This is an internet forum and I proffer my opinion. Do with my
> > opinion
> > > as you wish, but I guarantee a majority of members concur with
> my
> > > sentiments.
> > > Regards, Alex.
> > >
> >
>
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