Progressive Taxation: Can anybody spare a ton of bricks?

[Naturyl]

Excuse me, but I'd like to borrow a ton of bricks.

With the recent election results, it's become clear once again that for a great many Americans, "it's the economy, stupid." And what is meant by the economy, specifically? Two things - jobs and taxes. I have a lot to say about both, but let's focus on taxes for the moment.

See, here's the thing. Teabaggers, libertarians, and other Republicans really don't like taxes. I mean, they really, really HATE paying for society. But we all already know that, so no news flash there. It's worth noting the irony, however, in the fact that these people who are the very first to call someone else a "freeloader" for getting some kind of government benefit are the very same people who want to enjoy access to our entire social infrastructure FOR FREE. Hypocrisy, anyone?

But hey, that's no big shocker, either. So let's cut to the chase - our "Democrats" are about to have a debate over whether or not the obscene, irresponsible Bush-era tax cut welfare handouts for the rich should be extended. And that's how we ought to be framing them - tax cut welfare handouts for the rich - because that's what they are.

Let's take a moment to ask ourselves - "how is this even a debate?" And here is where the ton of bricks comes in.

Instead of extending the Bush tax cuts or even letting them expire and leaving it at that, why can't we go ahead and seal the deal with a massive, backbreaking, earth-shattering tax HIKE on the wealthy? Punish success? You're damn right it ought to be punished, if "success" refers to the Wall Street crooks who brought us the recession and the bailouts. Why won't this even be on the table? I'd like to see the filthy rich in this country hit right in the fat wallet (where it *really* hurts) with REAL progressive taxation, and I mean like a ton of bricks. Why not start aiming for the 1950's rates, which went all the way up to 90+% at one time?

What's that? It will kill business? Kill the economy? Kill America, and make Baby Jesus cry in other assorted ways? M'kay, so how did America not only survive but grow like crazy in the 50's?

{crickets}

Mr. Obama, please accept this ton of bricks, and use it. I know you won't, because it's clear the Chamber of Commerce is running the show for you, but hey, dare to dream, right?

[Ozymanithrax]

1. The argument to cut deficits by adding 4.8 trillion to the deficit doesn't make..

sense to me. I think it is something for nothing syndrome.

[Naturyl]

3. It definitely is.

There's a reason teabaggers and Repukes are always first in line for government handouts when it benefits THEM.

Freeloading is only bad when someone else does it. They decry all "welfare," but are themselves dead set on completely freeloading off the whole society and never paying a dime in taxes for it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Well locally they might get it when they call 911

and it takes an hour...

Maybe then they will get it.

Same at the national level...

[BzaDem]

2. Because Republicans now control the House, and can block the middle class tax cuts from being

extended? That would include the people in the 10% bracket paying 50% more (15% total) than they would otherwise.

I'm not saying Obama should sign an extension anyway -- I'm just saying that this is the only reason Obama is considering it.

[Naturyl]

4. Who says the middle class needs tax cuts?

I personally don't think they do - although I wouldn't support a hike on them, either.

[provis99]

5. that would be an absolute political disaster.

The fact is the repub leadership will tie any future spending bills to including a tax cut for the rich; since money bills originate in the House, the republicans have control of the agenda. Raising taxes on the rich now is a dead issue, the only issue is how much taxes will have to be lowered on millionaires and billionaires in order for Obama to have any spending bills passed. If Obama tries to fight the repubs now, there will be gridlock, government will come to a standstill as things aren't funded, people won't get their government checks, and the blame will fall squarely on Obama for insisting on raising taxes on the rich at the expense of getting anything done.

[Naturyl]

7. I agree, it would be a political disater in this climate and won't happen.

My point wasn't to say that it should happen in the real world, but that there ought to be a real world where it could. :)

Like I said, dare to dream.

[Johonny]

8. It's not a punishment

That's the big lie. Class warfare blah blah. Over the last 10 years the average American has seen their real wagers decline (if they have a job). The tax cuts of Obama and Bush are likely the only take home money gained for the average American. So damn straight they are trying to keep it. At the same time with no regulation on housing prices, housing boom, busts often leave average Americans with huge property tax bills. Many states are turning to regulating (freezing) property tax rates instead of the normal progressive measure to smooth out boom, bust cycles (I.E. regulate the housing market). So I totally get the Average American afraid of rising taxes.

On the flip side almost all the economic gain the last 10 years went to the top 5 %. In 30 years CEOs went from 30 times the average workers pay to 300 times. They have seen actual real gains in money in. Its only logical if they are taking more of societies GNP that they would pay more of societies tax burden. Its not punishment as Rand Paul would claim. It's the logical reward that comes with the growing gap in income disparity. I don't hate rich people, I just think if they want to take more, then well they are going to have to pay more. Nothing in life is free Dr. Paul.

This was all part of the Republican agenda. Starve the middle class and make them fear taxes.

[Naturyl]

9. I agree, it's not a punishment.

But they do see it as one, so that being the case, I say hammer them.

Lord knows they have NO qualms about trying to punish us and enjoy every minute of it.

[Johonny]

10. I agree

We should have a more balanced budget. See I have common ground with conservatives. But we should do it by taxing our societies productivity intelligently.