Democrats Defining Terms of “Tax Cut” Debate
When are Republicans going to stop letting the Democrats define the terms of the debate on the issues and responding to the Democrats on their terms? This always leaves the Republicans on the defensive. A case in point is the Democrats characterizing extending the Bush tax cuts as a tax cut for the wealthy, who do not need it, and a tax cut for the middle class who do.
The real issue is whether to allow taxes to remain the same or to increase them; the issue is not whether anyone will get a reduction in taxes if the Bush tax cuts do not expire. The Democrats accuse the Republicans of blocking a tax cut for the middle class unless the wealthy also get a tax cut. This is nonsense. The Republicans need to counter by accusing the Democrats of trying to raise taxes on everyone unless the Republicans agree to raise them only on the wealthy. We need to turn the tables on them.
A tax cut reduces taxes. It is ridiculous to argue that by not increasing taxes you are reducing them; but this is just what the Dems are saying. When will someone point out the insanity of this argument? The terms of the debate need to be reframed and the Republicans need to take the offensive. Only in Washington can it be claimed that not increasing taxes equates to a tax cut. Unbelievable.
Leon Garot, Glenwood Springs