HAPPY Act

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Added By: Micah

Added on: 10/08/2009 @ 10:21:18 AM

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Here's one for the mob. While I would directly benefit from this (because of stomach problems, not only does my dog have to eat the most expensive brand of dog food, but the most expensive variety of that brand as well), this does seem a little ridiculous considering everything else going on right now. However, I am way more interested in this coming to a vote and there being campaign ads later.

"Representative XYZ didn't vote for the happy act. Why not? Because he hates puppies and kittens" (Cut to shots of golden retreiver puppies in the woods and kittens playing with toilet paper rolls).

That would be my own personal HAPPY act.
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	Scott - 6225 Posts 10/08/2009 @ 12:42:56 PM
Ok, I draw the line at humans when it comes to tax breaks for health care. I'm sorry, I own a dog, and he's a huge part of my family now, but come on. There a much bigger issues in the world than your dog having a bad hip.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - 9475 Posts 10/08/2009 @ 12:52:47 PM
It's just for owning a pet, not for doggy-healthcare. (Though, that's part of the expense.)		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Alex - But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so! 10/08/2009 @ 01:01:59 PM
Utterly unacceptable.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Micah - Even now in Heaven there are angels carrying savage weapons 10/08/2009 @ 01:26:54 PM
Yeah I'm not sure, but I think it might even include things like toys and beds and things. Keeping with all things pets, this is a good thing, and kudos to Eau Claire representative Jeff Smith for co-authoring the bill. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_58eef6a8-9932-54a4-be3c-84473c544f42.html		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Micah - Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land. 10/08/2009 @ 01:39:09 PM
I also wonder how far I could take this. I put peanut buter in my dog's Kong and use cooked chicklen as a traning treat. Can I deduct my jar of JIF and bag of Perdue frozen chicken breasts on my taxes. Do I deduct the $20 a day I pay the high school girl that comes and watches her when I am gone. I suppose I have to report that as salary paid if I do.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?" 10/08/2009 @ 02:39:47 PM
It does seem like a bizarre thing to have credits for. Sure, studies have shown a correlation between healthy people and pet ownership, if you're looking for some sort of reason the Gov should give two craps. However, I think that's mostly older people, and even then it's probably not as big of a boon to our health as doing something like bring able to write off gym memberships, or get a credit if we meet some sort of standard healthy improvement in weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, or whatever.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this 2 times, last at 10/08/2009 2:40:13 pm

	Wendy 10/09/2009 @ 12:50:34 PM
I was going to say "I think the idea behind the legislation is well-intentioned but we're going about it the wrong way." But that's not even true. This has nothing to do with protecting pets & their health. This is just another tax break for upper-middle class & wealthy America. What's the total price tag on something like this, if even half of American pet owners take advantage of the program. Wouldn't that money be better spend on funding overcrowded shelters and spay/neutering programs, etc;? As the article points out, this is a tax credit for humans who own pets, not pets. It's no different than a tax credit for getting your car washed at Octopus because you're taking good care of something you consider "a part of your family." Lame.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Wendy - 163 Posts 10/09/2009 @ 01:07:43 PM
And here's a cute picture of one of those Thyme & Sage dogs that was rescued by my friend Jacki [Click to Enlarge]		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?" 10/09/2009 @ 01:51:06 PM
Yeah. If the idea is helping animals, there are infinitely better ways. If the idea is improving health of society, then there are better ways to do that.		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Sarah - 4605 Posts 10/10/2009 @ 07:49:53 PM
Here's a good pet, benefits or not. Www.chiaobama.com		Rate this comment Yours: Total: Rated 1 times.

	Carlos44ec - 2079 Posts 10/13/2009 @ 11:50:14 AM
If owning a pet makes people live longer, and if this mostly effects the elder citizens, I think supporting their pets would hurt the economy in the long run. How many old people do you know that DON'T have a pill-coctail every day? If these folks live longer, there is more of a need to care for them- therefore, more healthcare costs to the system. Of course I'm only partially joking.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Jeremy - Robots don't say 'ye' 10/13/2009 @ 02:34:44 PM
Well, I think that's part of the point. Some old people are mentally checked out, and a drain on the system. Others are in the "can you beleive so-and-so is 87?" camp, and I think pet owners have a better than chance shot at being in the latter group. Your brain needs exercise, and not being lonely has benefits too. Do you ever have one of those spans where you're alone for whatever reason, and the phone rings, and you go to answer it, and you almost forget what to do because you've not actually used your vocal chords, or language processing skills, in like 10 hours? (Or at the very least, you're oblivious to that fact, until that moment.) Imagine what that must be like for weeklong periods.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.

	Carlos44ec - You had me at "Hello" 10/14/2009 @ 07:59:06 AM
10 hours makes you forget your communication skills? I would think it more likely that after 4-5 hours of video game play you inadvertantly twitch your finger to move forward instead of lifting your leg.		Rate this comment Yours: Rated 0 times.