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Emily's avatar

Thank you so much for writing this! I am in my third year serving with AmeriCorps which is a bipartisan federally funded program. It provides incalculable support to nonprofits and schools and wonderful community service programs.

And I don’t know if or when the living stipend checks may stop. Not even wages we are paid. But I am living off of it.

Thank you for showing how human we are.

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Breanne Rodgers's avatar

I’m so grateful to be SUBSCRIBED to you. I don’t say this lightly: I truly believe your work has been made “for such a time as this”.

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Amy Hall's avatar

In part, I also remain subscribed because we have different convictions and come to some different conclusions. Keep writing!

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Terri's avatar

I specifically follow you because our leanings are different! I appreciate hearing your thoughts!

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April A. Swiger's avatar

Bleeding heart liberals unite! Love this Lore, thank you so much for sharing.

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Nicole Eckerson's avatar

So good Lore. Still subscribed because I love everything you write.

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Rachael Dickinson's avatar

I’m already subscribed, but this one has me wanting just just say it again..SUBSCRIBE.

Thank you for putting into words what is actually happening in many quiverfull homes and the like. I feel seen and also emboldened. Your words have power. Thank you for your work!

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Matt Glick's avatar

I'm a tax preparer, and I'm not gonna lie, between the non-pro-life gov't initiatives that my job helps fund, and the clients that complain about the pro-life initiatives that the gov't invests in, I can get a little depressed from time to time. Thanks for the reminder!

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Sarah Styf's avatar

All the yes. And not one knows when they are going to need a safety net. We're paying for our unknown future as well.

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FORGETTING by Marylou Cate's avatar

I have always felt paying taxes was the cost of living freely in our country. I still do. I also personally know federal employees in several different DC departments who totally scam their jobs simply because they have no oversight or accountability. Are they scared now? Absolutely. They truly believed a federal employee is impossible to fire...and until now, they were mostly correct. Of course there are people like your husband and many others who have integrity and want their work to have meaning. There is no one size fits all. Having said that, the waste and corruption from BOTH parties coming to light now is shocking. And I do care that my taxes are supporting all the things you mention but never corruption and unchecked waste. If that bloating and corruption can be reined in, we can provide better options than prison for mentally ill people. And housing options for the homeless. The pendulum seems to swing too far until it finally reaches a tipping point like now. I want to keep us out of wars that have nothing to do with us. I like a secure border that keeps fentynel/drugs out. I vaguely remember long ago reading about your family upbringing. You are remarkably well-balanced and a great contributor now on your own terms. Bravo.

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Nancy Hatcher's avatar

I love this post. I am retired teacher also paid by taxes. I worked in at risk communities and loved doing my best for kids who had little stability. What is happening to our country and world? I’m praying, I see little light right now and feel discouraged but I know my Savior wants me to keep following his message of truth, love and justice for all people. XO

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Jen Rose Yokel's avatar

Also add my thanks and love for Nate! I'm so sorry y'all are in the thick of this. It makes me ill to think of all the dedicated workers and their families who are experiencing all this chaos. I was talking to a friend in academia (science specifically) who said she's never seen anything like this.

Sometimes I wonder what it's going to take for our culture to shift and broadly realize that self-sufficiency is a myth. A foundational myth for America, but still a myth.

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Jen Rose Yokel's avatar

(also, I'm sorry but the UNSUBSCRIBE thing made me laugh, because there's a petty part of me that thinks the best possible response is OKAY BYE 😘)

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Mel Bjorgen's avatar

❤️ u.

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Anna Parker's avatar

Jesus cares about our politics.

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Jenny Gehman's avatar

Amen! My brother and sister-in-law work for the federal government and it’s been bonkers to say the least! Continuing to pray for Nate in these stressful days.

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Beth's avatar

I don’t always love paying my taxes because I don’t trust the ones spending the money. But I loved this piece … made me appreciate paying my taxes a little bit more. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability even when people are mean.

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