New Buzzwords: Those Who Pay No Taxes
The new mantra of the Republican Party regarding the stimulus package is to rail against “tax cuts for those who pay no taxes.” On the surface, this sounds like giving money to people who are too lazy to work, which I believe is the intended spin on the phrase. If the GOP makes it sound this way, then the public will not want it to happen, and support their stand. This is a pretty dirty trick, in my opinion.
To make sure I was correct in my understanding of this particular part of the package, I did a little research. This is actually something designed to help millions of Americans who work hard every day, file tax returns, but make too little to have to pay federal taxes. The working poor. To me, this is much like Ronald Reagan’s version of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Why is it suddenly become a bad thing to those who sing Reagan’s praises?
This has merely become the most recent problem our party has with the package… following funding for contraception, improvements for the National Mall, etc. As Obama compromises on one area, the demands change. The fact is, Republican leaders were telling their members in the House to vote against the bill even before they met with President Obama. This reinforces for me the idea that there was never any intention to compromise, never a spirit, however slight, of bipartisanship with most of the Congressional Republicans.
I don’t believe they will vote for the package unless it contains tax cuts for the wealthy… the favored child of today’s GOP. I say enough!! Don’t do it President Obama, it’s time for some compromise from the other side of the aisle. Catering to big business and the wealthy has gotten us into this mess. Giving in on this point could well negate the good that the rest of the package could do. Stand up to them, and let the people of this great nation be the judge and jury.
Fellow Republicans, it’s time to stand up to this kind of political hi-jinks within our party. It’s time for our party to return to the hands of “we the people.” It’s time for the harsh partisanship to end, and for the nation as a whole to benefit. Call or write your congressman and say “Enough!”
I find it quite incredible that our party, who used to be about lifting people up on their own merits no longer cares for anyone without a 6 figure income (other than the sheeple who watch Faux Noise). This idea was first put forth by Reagan, but since they didn’t come up with this one, they are against it. They had no issues when the banking bailout was shoved through (also known as “No CEO Left Behind). This is another example of how our party has no use for people who shower after work, rather than those that shower before work. It seems to me like all they are doing is using anti-poor code words.
I hope the Democrats find smart ways to remind voters that the GOP voted against $300 billion in tax cuts.
I’ve always said that our party needs another complete round of pummeling before they wake up. I think this episode is a sign of that.
Is anyone as angry as I am that NOT ONE REPUBLICAN voted “yes”?
I agree that the voters need to not only be reminded that the GOP voted against those huge tax cuts, but that they were totally unwilling to compromise, no matter what bipartisan olive branch was offered by the President.
Right now, I am really embarrassed to be a Republican, and wonder if the party is worth saving.
I just don’t get it. They probably figured that they had nothing to loose (since it would pass anyway), and that maybe this makes each individual Republican look like a responsible steward of the public’s money (for the first time in history).
I will say that I think more of the package needs to be devoted to infrastructure projects and job creation. Hopefully this will be hammered out in the Senate and sent back to the House for another vote. And maybe this time the GOP will willing to see the benefits of working together.
Of course, admittedly I’m no expert on the subject of economics, nor of herd mentality.
I am hoping they get a huge backlash over this. It is ridiculous. I was also angered when a Republican stood up to Limbaugh in a Politico article yesterday, and then today he calls Rush’s show to grovel at the feet of the master and ask for forgiveness. I swear, if the party allows Limbaugh to become the new face of the party and pull all the strings behind the scenes, 2008 will look like a church social compared to the electoral bloodbath they face in 2010.
“They had no issues when the banking bailout was shoved through (also known as “No CEO Left Behind).”
To be fair, David, a lot of Republicans voted against the first round of the bailout. I don’t remember the ratios now, though, but there was a pretty big outcry in the media and among liberal commentators about it.
I also agree that somehow painting the EIC, probably the most effective welfare program ever for encouraging people to work and to try and lift themselves out of poverty, as some kind of giveaway to lazy people is extremely disingenuous.
Not to mention that everyone who works pays a load of payroll taxes, some of which are actually regressive in nature.
I can’t remember where I was reading it but there was a commentary on how the stimulus should be used to reduce the payroll tax for immediate benefit of all - working and businesses.
I can’t say I am in favor of this stimulus as it stands with the House version. The Senate version seems to be a bit better. It seems there are too many add ons that are included in the stimulus that should be paired with other legislation. The focus should be on efforts that will spur job creation.
I can’t seem to shake the feeling that come Jan 2010 - we will be ‘another year older and deeper in debt.’
I agree that there seem to be a lot of “pet projects” in the bill, which need to be weeded out. Like you, I’m counting on the Senate to formulate a better version, and that the House will approve it when it goes back.
Job creation, infrastructure, and tax cuts for the middle class down should be the main focus, IMO, including small businesses. I don’t want to see big business get anything though…they have gotten enough, and not done well with it. No sense in throwing good money after bad.
I do think, however, that relief for the poor, elderly etc needs to be a part of the package if they are to survive this mess.
Now, I’m going into a corner to curse at you ’cause that song is stuck in my head! Earworm!! arrrhhhh