This Week in Tax Patriotism
- Two views of the tax propositions in Obama’s 2013 budget
- Taxing wealth like work… sounds like a fair deal!
- And… meet the Tax Dodgers!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEST ABE!
Abraham Lincoln was president when the IRS was first formed (then called the Bureau of Internal Revenue). America’s first income tax helped win the war and free the slaves. Taxes helped ensure that, as Lincoln put it, “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Christian Parenti Hearts Taxes
A must read article: Christian Parenti, author of the new book Tropic of Chaos, argues that only the federal government has “the capital and capacity” to deal with massive climate disasters.
Consider Hurricane Irene: as it passed through the Northeast, states mobilized more than 100,000 National Guard troops. New York City opened 78 public emergency shelters prepared to house up to 70,000 people. In my home state, Vermont, where the storm devastated the landscape, destroying or damaging 200 bridges, more than 500 miles of road, and 100 miles of railroad, the National Guard airlifted in free food, water, diapers, baby formula, medicine, and tarps to thousands of desperate Vermonters trapped in 13 stranded towns — all free of charge to the victims of the storm.
The damage to Vermont was estimated at up to $1 billion. Yet the state only has 621,000 residents, so it could never have raised all the money needed to rebuild alone. Vermont businesses, individuals, and foundations have donated at least $4 million, possibly up to $6 million in assistance, an impressive figure, but not a fraction of what was needed. The state government immediately released $24 million in funds, crucial to getting its system of roads rebuilt and functioning, but again that was a drop in the bucket, given the level of damage. A little known state-owned bank, the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank, also offered low-interest, low-collateral loans to towns to aid reconstruction efforts. But without federal money, which covered 80% to 100% of the costs of rebuilding many Vermont roads, the state would still be an economic basket case. Without aid from Washington, the transportation network might have taken years to recover.
When disaster struck, Vermont wasn’t alone. When our fellow Americans need us, American taxpayers are there.
Photo credit: This photo of Hurricane Irene is in the public domain because it comes from NASA. Photo courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, via Wikimedia Commons.
Tax Pride in the Ocean State
Rhode Island’s Sheldon Whitehouse has got tax pride:
I think average Americans see a lot in government that they like: a military that we are proud of, police officers who protect us day and night, child-protection agencies that work to help troubled children and their families. There’s a lot about government in America to be proud of…
As long as people think the tax system is fair, that they’re getting value for their taxes, average Americans who’re proud of this country and don’t want the quick and easy deal will pay taxes that are fair in order to have the kind of life we enjoy — where we have the freedoms from want and from fear that FDR spoke of.
This Week in Tax Patriotism
- Support for a higher gas tax in Iowa.
- To protect public schools, tax increases on the slate in California.
- The IRS makes sure millionaires pay their share.
- Jared Bernstein explains how progressive taxation could help combat income inequality.
- A new campaign to tax Kim Kardashian.
Happy One Year Pre-Anniversary of the Bush Tax Cut Expiration!
We have a lot to look forward to, as Americans for Tax Reform reminds us. The Bush tax cuts expire in January 1, 2013, which, combined with a bunch of other potential policy changes, they refer to as the “largest tax hikes in history.” Well, that’s a little overly-optimistic, what with inflation and this really just being the scheduled expiration of a tax cut, and so on.
But why rain on the parade?! Why not just celebrate the one-year pre-anniversary of the biggest tax hike IN HISTORY? Think of all the schools and roads and health care and veterans’ benefits we’ll be buying! Way to INVEST IN AMERICA, America! HIGH FIVE!!!
Taxes Keep Christmas Merry: The Consumer Product Safety Commission
This Christmas, parents can rest assured that those presents beneath the tree are safe for their children, thanks to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Deaths and injuries from consumer products have dropped 30% over the last thirty years — thanks in significant part to the CPSC’s work. And thanks to new legislation, the CPSC is stronger than ever.
Photo Credit: Kelvin Kay, via Wikimedia Commons.
