Republicans need a win in Washington, and they are hoping their new tax-cutting legislation is the Hail Mary for victory.
Unfortunately, like their various health care bills, it is not popular with voters. Only 36% of voters approve of giving tax cuts to rich people, golf course owners, and large corporations, while many middle and lower income citizens will pay more in taxes.
“Our legislation gives tax breaks to job creators, and the wealth will trickle down all over commoners,” Georgia Rep. “Skeeter” Wessop told The Lint Screen. “It’s a great plan for stimulating the U.S. economy and should be much more popular with the masses. We obviously have a branding problem.”
The lawmaker continued as he wagged a finger. “The president wanted to call it ‘the Cut Cut Cut Tax Plan,’ but we thought that would be too hard to remember. So we’ve changed it to ‘the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’ because those are two things that everyone should support. But, apparently that’s not getting enough traction in the marketplace, so we’re spitballing some new names.”
Rep. “Skeeter” showed some of the potential new names.
“The Big Tax Cuts And Better Sex Life Plan.”
“The Tax Cuttery Plan.”
“The Massive Tax Cuts & Live A Much Longer Life Plan.”
“The Tax Cuts, Etc. Plan.”
“The Huge Tax Cuts & Lose Weight Plan.”
“The ‘I-Can’t-Believe-How-Low-My-Taxes-Are!’ Plan.”
“The Tax Slasher Plan.”
“The Much Lower Taxes & Really High Paying Jobs Plan.”
The congressman swelled with pride. “We think we have some really good names here, and we’re going to take them to focus groups and pick a winner. We’re still waiting to hear back from the Koch Brothers and Mercer family for their favorites.”
Last week the Republicans voted to increase the deficit by 1.5 trillion over the next ten years to give tax breaks mainly going to the top .1%. That’s an self inflicted deficit of 150 billion for each of the next ten years. So much for being fiscally responsible.
These are the folks who always preach fiscal responsibility but have a history of blowing huge holes in the deficit with their tax giveaways, NOT followed by cuts in gov’t spending (Reagan did it in 1981, Bush II did it again in 2001). Read David Stockmans “Triumph of Politics” for a great overview of the 1981 tax cut fiasco that set us on the path of 200 billion deficits on a yearly basis.
They argue that the deficits will pay for themselves through increased business income that results in more taxes.
Like it is some kind of perpetual motion machine that once you start it it will generate more energy than what it is consuming.
The Congressional Republicans along with the Democrats are a bunch of whores. A pox on both their houses.
Great quote from Jesse’s Cafe Americain the other day sums it up–
“Politically both US parties are betrothed to big money special interests. The Republicans are unabashed and almost feral in their service to Mammon, to the point of being repulsive. The Democrats seek to cover their moral nakedness with the kind of hypocrisy that is the special provenance of the fallen. And fallen is about the best word I can think to describe them. Both of their houses are falling”.
Sad but true. But America will be made great, goddamit!
A pox on both their houses is right. One party is just less craven, looney, and in bed with Bible-thumpers.