Yo! Tax Me!

One month and counting until the Bush era tax cuts expire, and it should prove to be an interesting month in the halls of Congress. The Republican majority in the House is insisting on making the tax cuts permanent. On the other side is President Obama (and most, not all, of the Democrats) who campaigned to extend the tax cuts for the middle class, and allow them to expire for those making over $250,000 per year. Since the election, Obama has signaled a willingness to compromise on the issue, even as the Republicans have signaled a willingness to destroy his presidency by any means necessary.

The Republicans argue that taxes should not be raised during a recession and could harm small businesses. This seems plausible, if it weren’t for the fact that their reasoning is self serving. So who would be hurt by the allowing the tax cuts to expire besides small business owners? Well, for one thing it would mean raising the taxes on many members of Congress, who happen to be multi-millionaires.

Many have pointed out that extending the cuts for the rich will increase the deficit by $700 million. The deficit is one thing the Republicans have been railing against for years, but when it comes to cutting taxes they don’t have a problem with it. Their leadership has not — to my knowledge — offered any spending cuts anywhere else to offset this addition to the deficit. In fact, I believe their official response has been to insert their fingers in their ears and yell, “Nah-nah-nah! I can’t hear you!”

On this point, President Obama should dig in his heels and, at the very least, insist that Republicans propose spending cuts. As it stands now, he appears too willing to compromise (another concept alien to Republican leadership) on the issue. Then, to complicate things further, another group has stepped forward with their own radical view.

The group, comprised of multi-millionaires and billionaires have signed a petition that encourages Congress to let the tax cuts expire for them! In effect, this group has painted a large yellow target on themselves and held up a large sign saying “Hey, tax me!” Two names have been reported in the media supporting this idea: Warren Buffet and Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream fame. This group is arguing that they have benefited greatly from the economic opportunities available in America, and that they should be paying their fair share of the cost needed to keep the country running.

Hey, if they have no problem with paying more taxes, then why should I complain? We all must realize that, as citizens of the greatest country on earth, that it does take funds to keep it great. There is no getting around this fact. No one has a magic wand to make everything happen and, with the exception of volunteers pitching in at non-profit groups, nobody works for free. It takes hard work by millions of people, people with financial obligations who need to be compensated to keep the wheels of the American economy well oiled and moving forward.

Let’s put this in another perspective. Many Americans are labeled as “patriots” because they fight to keep America free. They have a right to this label and God knows they’ve earned it. Many of these same Americans do more than fight and pay taxes: they die to ensure our country’s liberty. If they can fight to the death to achieve this goal, then why the hell should the rest of us bitch about how high our taxes are?

Those in the tea party who believe they have been “taxed enough already” should keep this fact in mind when they start their shouting matches at public meetings and drown out the voices of common sense. You want patriots? Look at Warren Buffet and Ben Cohen. They realize the true cost of freedom, and they’re not afraid to pull out their checkbooks to pay for it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have this incredible urge for Ben and Jerry’s ice cream...

(Thank you for reading. Please don’t be afraid to do/pay your fair share to help.)