His retirement is taxable, he has a small VA service connected disability, but his SS disability is taxed because our household income is over 44K. we pay so much tax because our deductions don't amount to enough to take more than the standard.

We don't mind though. This country has been pretty good to us, and even if we had to pay a higher percentage in taxes, it would be worth it to us to know that we were not going to destroy our grandchildrens future by saddleing them with enormous debt.

I realize we are pretty much alone in this thinking, but then when I told my prents i wanted to be an Army nurse, I was thought crazy and when my husband turned down a commission in favor of being closer to the troops everyone said he was nuts. We raised our kids without designer clothes, the latest sports shoes and when they wanted to drive, they had to have a job and pay for their own gas and insurance. for which we were said to be way too strict. Oh well, we have three great kids, one is already retired from the service himself and on his second career.