Saturday, April 21, 2012

Steve Benen — Eric Cantor on tax hikes on those who don't make enough to pay federal income tax

Remember, millions of Americans may be exempt from income taxes, but they still pay sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes, Social Security taxes, Medicare/Medicaid taxes, and in many instances, property taxes. It's not as if these folks are getting away with something -- the existing tax structure leaves them out of the income tax system because they don't make enough money to qualify. Indeed, many are retirees who can't earn an income because they're no longer in the workforce 
But for Cantor, this isn't "fair" -- if wealthier people are paying federal income taxes, then everyone should pay federal income taxes.
Read it at MaddowBlog (with video)
Cantor considers tax hikes on the poor
by Steve Benen

I thought that all these guys had signed a "no new taxes" pledge to Grover Norquist. Silly me, I didn't realize that there were exceptions made for the poor.

The silver lining in the dark cloud: Cantor is talking here about "fairness." Progressives are more that willing to have a discussion on that basis.

Twisted minds.


2 comments:

mike norman said...

The poor are already getting taxed, big time! Spending cuts are the fiscal equivalent of tax increases.

And, there should be no doubt whose side the Republicans are on. Taxing the poor. Unbelievable.

John T said...

The people who are too poor to pay federal taxes are paying plenty of taxes. They pay payroll tax, state tax, sales tax, all of which are regressively implemented. If they are lucky enough to own home they pay property taxes as well. The GOP should be ashamed of themselves.