Were the average Republican asked for a succinct
statement of his views on taxation, he or she might respond thus: “U.S. tax
rates are too high for the world we must compete in. The tax burden — federal,
state, local, together — is too heavy. We need to cut tax rates to free up our
private and productive sector and pull this economy out of the ditch.”
This core conviction holds the party together.
Not quite...
For a Republican like myself it's... er... "the
spending, stupid!"
For me it's "government is too big... it's expected
to do too much... too many people expect government to be Santa Claus!"
Anyway... I'm stepping on Pat's point... (*GRIN*) ...go
on, Pat... you were saying...?
Yet today the GOP leadership is about to abandon this
conviction that taxes are already too high to sign on to higher tax rates or
revenues, while the economy is nearing stall speed.
Ha! "Nearing" stall speed, huh?! Pat... the
U.S. has been in what amounts to a recession since 2007. There's been no
"recovery" - not in any meaningful sense. Nor will there be as long
as we continue to march down the wrong road of ever increasing debt and ever
increasing socialism.
(*SHRUG*)
Oh... sorry for interrupting... back to you, Pat!
Two years ago, President Obama himself extended the
Bush tax cuts because, he said, you do not raise taxes in a recovering economy.
Why are Republicans negotiating this capitulation?
(Because they have been warned that if they do not sign on
to a tax hike, they will take us all over a fiscal cliff.)
If we go over, Republicans are being told, you will be
responsible for tax hikes on all Americans as the Bush tax cuts expire on Jan.
1.
You will be responsible for a surge in tax rates on
dividends, interest, capital gains, estates.
You will be responsible for an automatic sequester
catastrophic to the national defense.
(*ROLLING MY EYES*)
Folks... "defense" is bloated and over-extended
- just as every government program is.
This is the pistol Obama is pointing at the GOP. This is
extortion.
This is politics...
Republicans are being told that they either vote for
something they believe to be wrong and ruinous — or get something worse. Pay
the ransom, fellas, Obama is demanding, or take the blame for a second
recession.
Like the Panama Canal debate that made Ronald Reagan a
hero, this is a defining moment. No GOP senator who agreed to the
Carter-Torrijos treaty ever made it onto a national ticket.
What are the perils for Republicans who sign on to an
Obama deal? They will sever themselves permanently from much of the
base of the party.
Yep. But not simply because they go along with raising
taxes. No! They'll destroy themselves by agreeing to tax increases which fund further
growth of government accompanied by further accruing of debt!
Folks... (*SIGH*) ...as you know, I love Pat Buchanana -
but the fact that he's not even addressing the spending tells you just how
screwed we are!
While their votes may ensure that tax rates or revenues
rise, they will have no assurance that the promised spending cuts will ever be
made. Even Reagan fell victim to this bait-and-switch.
And... it... gets... worse...!
Then, if the tax hikes slow the economy, Republican
collaborators will share the blame. Not only will they have gone back on their
word, they will have damaged the recovery. What would be their argument for
re-election?
(*PURSED LIPS*)
If you believe higher tax rates or tax revenues would be
like poisoning an already weak economy, why would you collaborate in
administering that poison? Why not just say no?
Having lost the presidency and seats in both houses,
Republicans should not partner with a president with whom they disagree on
principle. They should act as the loyal opposition in a parliamentary system
whose duty it is to oppose, to offer an alternative agenda and to wait upon the
success or failure of the government, as Labor is doing in Britain and the
conservatives are doing in France.
But herein lies the problem! The Establishment GOP is
controlled by "me too" Republicans - not "alternate agenda that
makes sense, connects the dots, stands on principle, and is explainable and
defensible" Republicans.
(*DEEP SIGH*)
What should Speaker John Boehner do?
Suicide! I counsel suicide! (OK... ok... stepping down as
Speaker would suffice - though resigning would be better!)
Tell the president politely that America’s problem is not
that we are taxed too little but that we spend too much — and the GOP will not
sign on either to tax rate or tax revenue increases.
Finally...!!! Buchanan mentions spending!
(But that acknowledged, we're still apart when it comes
to taxes. I favor true tax reform. True tax reform will actually increase taxes
on some! Listen... if we're gonna have a federal income tax then everyone
earning income must pay something! No more freeloading! No more of this
"nearly half of American families pay no net federal income taxes"
nonsense!)
For Republicans believe that tax
increases will further injure the economy — especially an economy limping
along at between 1% and 2% growth.
Then Boehner should depart the White House, go back up to
the Hill and urge his Republican caucus to do two things:
1) Pass an extension
of the Social Security payroll tax cut and block its automatic rise from 4.2%
of wages to 6.2%. To raise that tax now and scoop off the discretionary income
of most of America’s families in this anemic economy makes no sense
economically or politically.
Wrong, Pat! Absolutely 180-degrees wrong! A "contribution"
rate of workers paying 6.2% in payroll taxes is what's necessary to temporarily
re-balance our nation's "pay as you go" Ponzi scheme also known as
Social Security! Americans must pay for the "benefits" they demand!
2) The House should then vote to extend the Bush tax
cuts for another year, with a pledge to do tax reform — lowering tax rates in
return for culling, cutting or capping deductions for the well-to-do in the new
year.
They had their chance. They had their chances all during
2000... 2001... 2002... 2003... 2004... 2005... 2006...
They had their chance to fight for reforms all during
2011... 2012...
No... the present Establishment GOP leadership must stand
down and Tea Party Republicans must be giving a chance to save the GOP and save
the country!
Then let Harry Reid work his will. If the Senate votes to
let Social Security taxes rise, let Harry and his party explain this to the
middle class that gets hammered in January. If the Senate votes to let the Bush
tax cuts lapse for those over $200,000, decide in the caucus whether to
negotiate — or to go home for Christmas and New Year’s.
As for the automatic sequester that would impose $100
billion in cuts next year, half in defense, do nothing. Let it take effect. The
budget has to be cut, and while these cuts are heavy on defense, the depth and
mixture can be adjusted in the new year.
Now you're talking, Pat!
If Republicans walk away from tax negotiations with the
White House, market investors, anticipating a sharp rise in tax rates on
dividends, interest and capital gains next year, will start dumping stocks,
bonds and investments to take advantage of the last year of lower taxes.
The market may tank. Let the party of high taxes explain
it.
And let the market reflect reality...
(*NOD*)
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