Reliably liberal journalist Bonnie Erbe almost caused a few heads to explode here at Media Research Center headquarters today when yours truly passed along her July 21 blog post entitled, "Democrats' Meaningless "Tax the Rich" Proposals Will Lead to Class Warfare."
The PBS "To the Contrary" host and U.S. News & World Report contributing editor slammed the idea floating in Congress of adding a surtax on "the rich" to pay for health care:
Perhaps Democrats are developing some sensitivity on their "tax the rich" theme. I can't see NOT taxing the rich. It's just that I disagree with the Democrats' definition of rich. The only way to fairly assess all Americans for the ridiculously expensive programs Democrats are pushing is to enact a flat income tax. Then upper-income persons necessarily pay more in taxes, as 10 percent of $100,000 is a lot more than 10 percent of $20,000. But that'll never happen, so tax-hungry Democrats are going the route of class wars.
Fortunately for us, and you, our cranial pressure reduced when we came across the requisite Bush-bashing packed deeper in her blog post:
President Bush so badly mangled the country and especially the budget that Democrats will run against him for 20 years. But if they don't fix the economy without overtaxing the middle and upper classes, Republicans can starting running against Democrats with the powerful Reagan-era "tax and spend" mantra. Democrats should be smart enough to see that but the Obama crowd doesn't seem to be.
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Comments Policy
→ Never happen
July 22, 2009 - 17:10 ET by Cool ArrowFlat tax is much too fair, too widely desired, and so totally anti-democrat.
It also rewards those who save.
Bonnie Erbe
July 22, 2009 - 17:16 ET by Kat Outta the BagThe only way to explain this is that Bonnie Erbe must be one of "the rich" herself.
That's what I'm thinking, too
July 22, 2009 - 19:59 ET by GalvanicErbe and her wealthy friends are nervously chaffing at Obama's fingerpointing toward them for paying the health care reform tab.
She's learning the hard way that sooner or later in every 'revolution,' the guns get aimed at the faithful.
must be one of the rich herself
July 22, 2009 - 17:47 ET by bobwhiteOh yeah, those hypocrite liberals get mighty conservative mighty fast, when it's their money that's being confiscated.
Methinks Erbe's ox finally
July 22, 2009 - 18:07 ET by Chris NormanMethinks Erbe's ox finally came up for the goring.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Flat Tax
July 22, 2009 - 18:27 ET by RR GOPI'm all for the flat tax. You can actually decide how to spend ALL your money and just not what the Fed happens to leave for you to spend. Buy something expensive-you pay more in taxes simply because you spent more dollars. The wealthy would input waaaay more into the economy this way than hiding behind the tax shelters and loopholes they use now (can't blame them really).
Can't afford something? Then don't buy it. This would be a great impetus for Washington to lay off of the capitalist system and allow it to work so more people have more to spend as that would = more revenue.
It would also cut way back on staffing at the IRS, and their obnoxious modus operandi including fines, interest on unpaid debt, garnishing wages, placing liens on property, threatening, etc. A flat tax would totally remove any need for consumers to file. Plus there would be thousands and thousands less GS workers to pay and provide benefits for (the main reason they'd never do this).
But, I know what would happen. If you make less than X number of dollars they'd give you a little Tax Exemption Card to present at the register and you would have to pay no Federal taxes. Something costs more than X number of dollars, the rate will go up...
They'll always be afraid of not having enough money for their pork and their social engineering programs and won't want to lose that measure of control they have over us through the IRS.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
How About a Fair Tax
July 22, 2009 - 20:18 ET by ghblogIt is remarkable that someone on PBS suggested a Flat Tax. Unfortunately it is still an income tax and congress will always feel the need to "play" with the tax code to favor their friends.
We need the Fair Tax.
http://www.framingthedialogue.com/archives/a-fair-tax/
DEATH & TAXES...
July 23, 2009 - 03:31 ET by danybhoyWhat's really sad is for all of the BS involving "economic recovery" bills pimped so this crap Congress. All that is really needed is the following...
SCRAP THE CURRENT TAX CODE!!!
10% personal flat rate...
10% corperate flat rate...
SCRAP THE DEPT. OF ENERGY...they produce none.
Drill for our own oil, Wherever it is...
Expand refining capacity & cut down on "special fourmula" fuels...
Build nuke power plants...
Expand coal mining & coal liquification...
& lastly, SCRAP THE DEPT. OF EDUCATION...the more we spend on GOV'T schools, the dumber the kids come out. El-Rushbo has always said that ignorance is a very expensive problem & the PUBLIC SCHOOLS have become POLITICALLY CORRECT & teach almost nothing to our kids of much value. A dumb population can be led by idiots like today's Congress.
"The Fairness Doctrine = Jim Crow laws for Conservatives". Jim Quinn from "Quinn & Rose"
Hey, Bonnie, If you fully advocate the 10% Flat Tax, it's cool
July 23, 2009 - 10:54 ET by gopcongressIf you fully advocate the 10% Flat Tax, you are MORE than welcome to hypocritically call any public figure whatever you want. Personally, I could care less, as long as you keep your damn hands off my money (or, more likely, my potential employer's money). I don't have much disagreement with some of what you say about Bush's economic handling, but not for the reasons you many think.
Of course, keep advocating the 10% flat rate, and you immediately get called a fascist by your democratic buddies. But what's a little dig between friends, eh?
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