In a recent op-editorial E.J. Dionne discussed the obligation of the elites to ensure the continued well-being of the larger society. In effect he was blaming the uber-rich for the battle against higher tax rates.
I’m not sure the very wealthy are the problem. President Obama opined, in his recent speech, that he wasn’t getting much mail from the people who would bear the brunt of higher taxes. Some of America's wealthiest have publicly stated their willingness to shoulder a higher tax burden.
The political problem has a different dynamic. The Republicans defend tax increases the way that the NRA reacts to gun control: defend each potential inroad at all costs. Is it possible that higher taxes have become so politically intertwined with big government that the two cannot be separated in the context of diminishing federal deficit spending? Presidents Reagan and Bush I supported higher taxes to deal with mounting deficits. In contrast Speaker Boehner has declared that discussion of tax increases are 'dead on arrival'.
While the uber-rich have certainly enjoyed their good fortune, I’m not sure they are the problem.
"I’m not sure the very wealthy are the problem."
ReplyDeleteCan't necessarily disagree with that but I think you could say the opposite as well. I'm not certain but I have heard that if you taxed all of those making more than 250k at 100% it still wouldn't cover this yrs deficit.
"Is it possible that higher taxes have become so politically intertwined with big government that the two cannot be separated in the context of diminishing federal deficit spending?"
The answer is yes. Conservatives / libertarians believe the only way to stunt the growth of government is to limit its life supply -- tax revenue. If they can keep revenues from increasing they believe the feds will have to contain spending. so, that is why Boehner and the R's are saying tax increases are "dead on arrival."
They don't need to send mail. They've already got an army of tea party cadets protecting there money for them. It's a beautiful system that dates back centuries where the poor do all the work and the rich reap the rewards - it's just a different package
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