The Cash Benefit Program

[Otto]

This is the first time I am posting a thread. So I am not sure if this is going to work well. I am just so pissed-off by the latest move by the LDP to bribe the people in Japan for their votes. It almost sounds illegal. Anyway, don’t get me wrong I’ll be glad to get money, however in the long run, if the consumption tax rate goes up then I would prefer to not get any money. What do you think?

[Astroboy]

This is the first time I am posting a thread. So I am not sure if this is going to work well. I am just so pissed-off by the latest move by the LDP to bribe the people in Japan for their votes. It almost sounds illegal. Anyway, don’t get me wrong I’ll be glad to get money, however in the long run, if the consumption tax rate goes up then I would prefer to not get any money. What do you think?

When US government offer tax refund even to foreigners living in USA, do you say "pissed-off"? and do you say it is a bribe for votes?

As far as I know, foreign residents are not entitled for voting in Japan, but can get some tax refund.

I heard that Dutch are living for protesting, but it is quite inscrutable for me to see your mentality "Happy to get, but Want to Protest". :blush:

For your reference, tax refund is not fixed in details yet.

[Otto]

Thank you, Astroboy for responding to my post.
I got a similar response from a friend. Will take money. ^^
“Pissed-Off”, maybe too strong of a word, but as a long time tax payer in Japan, I want to make sure you understand that I would rather not receive any money as long as the consumption tax stays as it is. (keep in mind, in my family’s case this benefit will be over 100,000円!!) It seems as though the cabinet is trying to soften the people up for the big punch. Aren’t you worried about this? In the long run this move would hurt spending, and add stress to an already shaky market at best. My point is this. I am afraid this will only become a burden on my children in the future. (I am thinking 10 years in the future)

[Astroboy]

Thank you, Astroboy for responding to my post.
I got a similar response from a friend. Will take money. ^^
“Pissed-Off”, maybe too strong of a word, but as a long time tax payer in Japan, I want to make sure you understand that I would rather not receive any money as long as the consumption tax stays as it is. (keep in mind, in my family’s case this benefit will be over 100,000円!!) It seems as though the cabinet is trying to soften the people up for the big punch. Aren’t you worried about this? In the long run this move would hurt spending, and add stress to an already shaky market at best. My point is this. I am afraid this will only become a burden on my children in the future. (I am thinking 10 years in the future)

Don't be hesitate, just get money, but you MUST spend it for stimulating J-economy as it is aimed to boost economy:wave:

Alan Greenspan said "the global finacial turmoil for this time is once a century" and affecting our life in the world. World export market is cooled, and thu domestic market is only hope. I know it might be a future burden but today is more important than 10-years later, and money can be regained in the future when the economy will be improved.

[Dogen Z]

I think the program is another scam by the LDP to waste money in an attempt to stay in power. It's a very lazy (not thought out in any depth at all) and sloppy (not well defined--just handing out money to anyone whether or not that person needs it). And it's just a one-shot deal that will only have short-term, limited impact. Poor people will, of course. spend it. But those in the rich and high middle income classes will probably save it. Or maybe use it as partial payment for an import or a trip overseas. So a lot of leakage is probable. OTOH, some of us will just use it to pay our taxes, which means the gov't will just be spinning its wheels to try to look busy.

And not taking it is foolish because you lose out, so you'd better take it.

[Glenski]

November 14th Japan Times has an article that should make you even happier.

It says the LDP didn't think to include foreigners in the stimulus package. Oops. Back to the drawing board, guys.

[Otto]

There was a good article in the Japan Times yesterday, regarding this topic. Sorry I wasn’t able to post a link. I agree with the criticism directed at the prime minister. The local government’s comments regarding the issue are quite to the point. Dogen Z, you made an interesting point which I overlooked. It does seem very lazy. The economy is going down the toilet and my question to the cabinet is, “Is this the best idea you have?” I’m afraid to ask what “plan B” would be.

[Glenski]

sigh
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20081113a1.html

[otoko]

I don't want it. Just a waste.

Just cut spending. What they should do is cut the number of politicians. It is just ridiculous that the House of Representatives has 480 members while America has 430. On top of that there are 242 members in the House of Councillors. Yes Japan is different in that it ia a parliamentary government. Still I don't see how they justify having more politicians being paid more than the American equivalent(nearly twice as much) with less tax revenue on land the size of California.

[JerseyBoy]

I don't want it. Just a waste.
Just cut spending. What they should do is cut the number of politicians. It is just ridiculous that the House of Representatives has 480 members while America has 430. On top of that there are 242 members in the House of Councillors. Yes Japan is different in that it ia a parliamentary government. Still I don't see how they justify having more politicians being paid more than the American equivalent(nearly twice as much) with less tax revenue on land the size of California.
You hit the nail on the head there. In general, American lawmakers (or former presidents, governors, and cabinet secretaries) make money after they are done with the public service and enter the private sector. In Japan, the upper house and lower house Diet members make a career out of their public office because it pays so well in the very egalitarian Japanese society. This is a very general observation as there are always many exceptions. (side note: The pay by the typical Japanese companies are pitiful. I only work for foreign owned companies because of their higher pay and its less Japanese-s-ness.)

[Dogen Z]

November 14th Japan Times has an article that should make you even happier.

It says the LDP didn't think to include foreigners in the stimulus package. Oops. Back to the drawing board, guys.

It would be admistratively easier to hand it out as a tax rebate to all households that paid taxes for the last fiscal year than to sort out citizens from non-citizens. This would also help to disquise the fact that it's a bribe to voters. In addition, paying it out to all taxpayers would prevent a taxpayer suit. So, I'm fairly confident I'll get my share.

BUT, it just means that I'll need to use it to pay it back to the gov't in the future--maybe 3 years from now when it raises consumption tax to 10%. The U.K. is facing a similar situation. The headline for the Times Online was "Tax Break Now, Tax Bomb Tomorrow."

[Pachipro]

You hit the nail on the head there. In general, American lawmakers (or former presidents, governors, and cabinet secretaries) make money after they are done with the public service and enter the private sector.
Of course they do. It's "payback" for doing as they are told by those that put and allowed them to be in power. They get millions for books that no one buys and receive hundreds of thousands for a speech by the governments, universities, and businesses of the world.

Did anyone take notice that former President Clinton was in Kuwait yesterday giving a speech for which he was paid $300,000 by the Kuwaities?

Why on earth would anyone pay millions of dollars of their own money to be elected to an office which pays hardly a pittance of the money they invested? Is it because they want to do good for the people? HA! It's because of the benefits they receive later on in lobbying fees, speeches, books, etc. and for doing as they are told by those really in power and who pull the puppet strings. It's the same in Europe, England, Japan, etc.

[Otto]

Hi! My previous entries were posted as “Netherlander”. I’ve had my user name changed to Otto, because, I want my user name and profile to become more personal. Sorry I haven’t responded for so long. My kids have been keeping me very busy! ^0^

Regarding the “Cash Benefit Program”, I am surprised there isn’t so much outrage among the public. It seems as though nobody cares! Is it just me?

[JerseyBoy]

Regarding the “Cash Benefit Program”, I am surprised there isn’t so much outrage among the public. It seems as though nobody cares! Is it just me?
In general, the Japanese electorate is very passive. I myself is very unpleased with the Japanese tax rates as I pay too much taxes compared to what I get back from the government services. But, I have given up on the Japanese politics long time ago and I would rather live in a country of my choice rather than participating in the grass-roots political movement in Japan.

[FrustratedDave]

I probably won't be eligible even if foriengers are to recieve the cash back... Sigh... But I am for a consumption tax increase and take out daily essentials.