By Bruce Bialosky
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Hi, I’m Dave.
Until recently I was a full-time employee and had a very
good job. In fact most years we were so busy I worked some long hours and
received some significant bonuses from my employer. But now I have been freed
from having to spend so much time supporting my family. Because of some great
new policies from our government, I am now working part-time and spending more
time with my family.
It has been an adjustment. When I told my wife the
exciting news that I would spending more time at home, initially she wasn’t
delighted. She sure seemed like she did not want me around. She asked how we were
going to put the money away for the kids’ college educations. I was a little
surprised she was not more focused on the time we could spend together, working
on our relationship. She seemed like she thought having me at work was more
beneficial for us. Then I told her about all the neat government programs that
would help the kids pay for college. Plus, I am confident we will grow closer as
we have more quality time together. I did point out we may have less money to
spend, but sharing time was what life was all about.
The kids were really excited to hear about me being
around a lot more. Kinda. Madison asked if I really was not going to work. When I
told her it would give us more time to get to know each other, she said “Dad,
get real.I’m like really busy with school and my friends. Maybe soon.” And then
she stared at her phone and said she was having a conversation with a
friend. Buddy Boy was a lot more receptive. I told him I could now learn how to
play those video games and we could play together. He said, “Hey, don’t you
think it would be geekish for me to be playing video games with my old
man?” When I told him no, he turned and closed the door to his room. I am sure
once he warms up to the idea we will have a blast together.
I went on HealthCare.gov and found out that my income is
now going to be lower so I qualify for some really big subsidies. As long as I
don’t go back to working full-time, the government will pay for over half of my
family’s health insurance. All I have to do is just keep my work at the current
reduced level and we will have some great coverage. I can even pick up some work
on the side (if you know what I mean) and not have it affect my ability to have
the government pay for most all our health insurance. Once I figured it out, we
are really better off with me working less and staying home more.
Then with my new free time I found a speech that Mrs.
Obama gave to college students. She told them “Don’t leave money on the
table.” This was regarding getting student aid that she told them did not have
to be paid back. Pondering that I thought why not me? So I applied for Food
Stamps -- thankfully now called SNAP -- and it makes me feel so much better. I
was really surprised to find out that at my new income level that we qualify as
a family.
The nice people at the SNAP office told me there are
other state and federal programs I qualify for to help underwrite my new
reduced income. For example, they will help pay for my utilities. While I was so
busy working I never realized there were so many programs to help people. I have
researched it and found there are over 100 programs to help pay for me. How
stupid I feel working hard all these years when I could have been home and the
government would pay for all these things.
As I begin my new less demanding life, I am really just
beginning to explore the universe I am now part of each day. Who knew I could
work so little and still get all this stuff from the government? President
Obama, thank you for freeing me from the burden of having to work so hard to
support my family. Now I just have to get my family used to having me around. And
find something to do with my time.
I’m Dave, and I love this new America.
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