C-SPAN Just carried the Republican Tax Plan Announcement live with some softball questions by reporters and some generally celebratory glee from GOP members of Congress.
"Lower rates for everyone, mortgage interest rate deduction... also starting January, their paychecks will be bigger." Kristi Noem with a heart-wrenching story then about the "death taxes" she had to pay after inheriting the family farm upon the passing of her father. They had to take out a loan to continue operation of the farm. She is passionate about removing the "double taxation" of the "death tax"...
Republicans are brilliant at marketing. Robert Cialdini could write a sequel to his seminal work and call it "Republican Influence." "Changing the tax code will bring jobs back to America." ... says Steve Scalise. "The death tax is the most unfair tax there is."
The six Walton family heirs are worth approximately $90 billion collectively. Selling us cheap stuff they produce in China with child labor. Stuff I buy - don't get me wrong. Maybe Americans would buy tools and clothes and appliances produced here if they were competitive. When I see Walmart employees in the emergency room - overwhelmingly, they are uninsured or on Medicaid (subsidized by your taxes). Full-time employees must exist - Blue Cross Arkansas handles the Walmart account - but I can't remember the last time I saw one of them.
The real problem for these poor folks is when they are forced to take multiple jobs from different employers to make ends meet. Maybe they work at Walmart for 30 hours a week and a convenience store or gas station for 20-30 hours. This screws their Medicaid eligibility. And the Republicans in congress and the White House want to take away any subsidies to pay for Obamacare. So of course, they gamble. They remain uninsured until something bad happens - when what little savings they have is wiped out.
Don't try to tell me the "death tax" is unfair. Only fabulously wealthy people pay this upon their death, and only when they have failed to do very basic estate planning. And by the way, ALL TAXES are double taxes. Your employer is taxed when they make a sale - and you are taxed when you get your paycheck. And you pay taxes again when you use your wages to buy food. The never ending circle of life...
Paul Ryan just said this tax bill is to help people who "live paycheck to paycheck". These people pay huge payroll tax. They already use 1040EZ (so do they really need the postcard tax form? is that worth the $1 Trillion you want to cut from Medicaid?). They take the mortgage interest deduction if they have been lucky enough to save for a home. Why not be honest? This tax bill is for the Walton Family. Billionaire and Despicable Human Being Sheldon Adelson has funded TV commercials saying that this tax bill will help the middle class, but he isn't running those as a public service: HE will benefit. Not YOU.
A reporter on C-SPAN JUST SAID "The Bush tax cuts didn't result in improved growth or more jobs or stronger economy, so what makes you think these tax cuts will be any different?" They laughed. Like it was a joke. And said "And what was your SECOND question?" hah hah hah... The truth is that this Randian Fairy Tale tax strategy has been tried. And tried harder. And tried full bore. Kansas ended their 'failed tax experiment' over the summer. Their own Republican controlled legislature in the Koch Brothers' own state rolled back tax cuts JUST LIKE THESE - over the veto of Republican Governor Sam Brownback. They could stand the nonsense no more - "trickle down" austerity just doesn't work.
Austerity is popular is conservative circles because it sounds like a good idea. It sounds like fiscal responsibility. It's why you have people who say "I'm socially Liberal, but fiscally Conservative." They think they are doing a good, responsible thing...
This is economist Mark Blythe explaining why austerity is bad. Keep in mind as you watch this - he is explaining austerity in 2010. Long before Brexit (which he predicts before it happens as he watches everyone ignore this advice), "..since the global turn to austerity in 2010, every country that introduced significant austerity has seen its economy suffer, with the depth of the suffering closely related to the harshness of the austerity." (The Guardian 2015)... This 5 minute video is absolutely prophetic. And we are about to step in this again.