Like everyone else, I suppose, I've been listening to the current debate raging over the extension of the payroll tax benefits. And, also like most, I'm having a hard time digging through the mound of partisan BS that has accumulated in recent weeks to truly understand the issue. What is certain is that the current exemptions, unless acted upon by Congress by the end of 2011, will expire, costing over 160 million Americans around $1,000 in annual tax savings. The Democratic controlled Senate, with bi-partisan support from Senate Republicans, passed a compromise bill that would extend the current agreement two months, allowing for continued negotiations on the more complicated issues that separate the two parties. This compromise was also encouraged and endorsed by the President. However, the measure was knocked down by House Republicans who insist that a full, one year extension be passed now - before the end of the year. Democrats insist that this is not possible - there is not enough time to negotiate all the details and, therefore, the bill would lack necessary elements to make it truly effective. The House Republicans, lead by Speaker John Boehner, insist that the compromise is nothing more than a delaying tactic that avoids the real issues (as the GOP sees them) of smaller government and fewer taxes - now. Just for a change (LOL), both sides have dug in their heals and an impasse has been reached. And, once again, the real losers, if this is not resolved by the end of the year, will be the American people.
I listened to both sides passionately argue their POV's. The Democrats claim that the extension is a reasonable (and generally accepted) procedure that will produce better results in the long run. Republicans argue that the real issue is tax reduction and needs to be addressed NOW. Certainly, they all sent my head spinning!
Then, while listening to a TV interview with Tom Price, a House Republican from Georgia and Chairman of the GOP Policy Committee, it started to come together for me. Dr. Price (he is also a physician) spoke eloquently defending his parties position of tax reduction NOW. He repeated several times the GOP mantra of "smaller government, reduced spending, and reducing taxes". This policy has been implemented and reinforced by the so-called Tea Party Republicans who refuse ANY new taxes and, where possible, favor actual tax reduction. On the surface, when you think about it, these seem to be pretty admirable goals. I do think that, in many instances government is too big and intrusive. I wouldn't mind paying less taxes. I certainly don't want to pay more. But then you start digging and, when you think about it, the Republicans don't really mean YOU. Ultimately, they mean their POWER BASE; the 1 %, that includes the most wealthy and powerful Americans. Something Dr. Price said during the interview crystallized this for me. While explaining himself and the GOP position and the stalemate, he said (paraphrasing - my quotes) "as a matter of policy, our Party wants to reduce taxes across the board". When you think about it, I see two causes for concern. First, look at the "reality" of the statement. Is it realistic to say no new taxes AND tax reduction can be accomplished in today's economic climate of ballooning deficits? I have NEVER claimed to be an economist, but it is logical for me to believe what I have read from economists who say deficit reduction comes with reduced spending AND increased revenue i.e. tax reform. And this brings me to my second concern i.e. TAX REDUCTION vs. TAX REFORM. What Dr. Price and the other Republicans in this fail to realize (or MENTION) is the word that they should be using when referring to taxes is REFORM and not simply REDUCTION. Why? Because, when you think about it, how can you reduce something that is already virtually nothing i.e. the tax structure for the wealthiest American Businesses and Individuals? It's been written on this blog and in innumerable other sources that the wealthiest among us (i.e. the 1%) have found legal lope holes in the tax codes that allows them to pay the LEAST taxes. Where's the equity in that? Well, there is NONE.
Well, and I really do hate to say this, but, when you think about it, the GOP is full of shit on this one. They are NOT interested in the little guy, i.e. you and me. They would like you to think so. But they are not. If you believe them, then, unfortunately, when you think about it, you become one of their cadre and, unwillingly, do the bidding of the rich people you don't even respect.
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