What Is So Outrageous About Paying Our Bills?

I can't help it. I am just furious about all the rage that is out there.

All my Republican friends are pissing me off with their anger over how Obama's a socialist and how he wants to take away their freedoms. But what really gets me worked up is all this rage over taxes. Now they're going to teabagging parties and holding rallies on Fox News because they are fit to be tied over how they're being taxed to death.

Maybe you can help me with this. I mean what is it about the whole notion of taxes anyway?

I always thought that taxes were the way we paid our bills. In a democracy we have elected representatives who spend money on our behalf on things like defense, security, wars, bridges, roads, health care benefits -- all kinds of stuff. If we don't like the way they're spending it or we think they are spending too much, then we have a chance to replace them at very frequent intervals. But in a democracy, we own the results of our elections and the decisions our elected officials make are our decisions.

Taxes are the bills we have to pay for the stuff our government buys us.

Now the fact of the matter is that for the last eight years, we have been running huge deficits because Mr. Bush and the Republicans who controlled Congress for six of those years decided not to make us pay for all the stuff they were buying for us. Because they didn't tax us enough to pay our bills, they've run up a multi-trillion dollar tab that will need to be paid by our kids for some time after we're gone.

If Republicans and other angry people wanted to hold protests over how unfair it is that we are not being made to act like grown-ups and pay our bills, that I could understand.

But that's not what the rage and teabagging are about. At a time when we are being taxed at the lowest rate in our lifetimes and running the biggest deficits in history, these clowns are getting apoplectic because they think taxes are too high! That would actually be funny if it wasn't so outrageous.

But it gets better -- or worse.

Most of them are also outraged because there are so many people who are out of work or so poor or underemployed that they pay little or no tax at all. They think these people are freeloaders who have it made. Of course I've never heard anyone volunteer to trade places with any of these poor folks. They're too full of rage to even respond to the question.

So all the rage is being directed at poor people and immigrants who really don't have any money to pay the government anyway. At the same time, in addition to paying the lowest tax rates ever, those of us who DO pay taxes have apparently forgotten or refused to cough up an estimated $500 billion that we legally owe our government but simply choose not to pay.

In addition, I see and hear TV and radio ads every day that describe the Internal Revenue Service as the agents of the devil and offer to help good hardworking Americans settle their debts to the government at 5 and 10 cents on the dollar. One ad brags that they were able to get a client who had not even filed a tax return for six years and swindled the government out of hundreds of thousands of dollars off the hook for pennies on the dollar.

Where are the rage and the teabagging parties to protest those criminals? Instead of being vilified (treatment that is apparently reserved for the most unfortunate among us), the Right Wing crazies seem to feel that swindling the government and committing crimes that actually cost us a fortune are perfectly admirable behavior since we are all being taxed to death in the first place and Obama only wants to make it worse.

I have voted for and donated money to many fine Republicans over the years. I believe we desperately need a viable fiscally responsible alternative to the Democrats and the liberals. But Arlen Specter, New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, and I have joined millions of thinking Americans in concluding that the Republican Party and the Right Wing have allowed themselves to become a very bad sick joke.

What was a party of responsibility and conservatism has evolved into a mob of religious fundamentalists, bigots, liars, and angry people who seem to have a need to blame everyone but themselves and the elected officials that they supported over the last eight years for the many huge problems that now confront our nation and its leaders -- problems that didn't exist eight years ago but which have brought us to our knees over the last year.

Instead of taking a look in the mirror, these self-centered blowhards have blamed everyone but themselves for the colossal mistakes, lies, and fiscal irresponsibility that characterized the period they were in complete control of all federal branches of government.

Instead of figuring out where they went wrong and what to do to fix things, they have just become filled with rage. They have morphed from a responsible political party to a cult of scary and angry people. I'm not talking about all Republicans. I'm just talking about the people who have taken over leadership of the party and seem to be calling all the shots. If they continue on this path, they'll be the only ones left.

If I weren't so furious, I might help them figure out how to deal with their rage. Thankfully, none of them have asked. I might just rip their stupid heads off.

Comments

[jazzyjudy]

What are the demographics here? And the education level? Don't these "ragers" know that within living memory the top federal tax rate was over 90%? And that the American economy has grown the most during some of the eras of highest taxation? Or wouldn't knowledge make any difference to their outrage?

[lgellman]

I assume that's a rhetorical question.

[dfranz]

Obviously Republicans have no problem with the little people paying taxes. After all Ronald Regan raised the payroll tax to 15% which affects working people much more than the rich since their contribution was capped at $85,000.00 of income. Let's face it, they are a party dedicated to making their wealthy supporters even more rich while cynically trying to convince the "little people" to vote Republican against their own best interests. They managed to do so in the past by obscuring this fact with phoney social issues that pander to their base and creating hysteria with an unnecessary war and scare tactics. Unfortunately for them "That dog ain't hunting so good no more".

[unite4change]

All these people do is hate. Why are they under the misconception that every democrat, especially if they are a minority is on welfare?

[RenePA]

Because they listen to... and more importantly, are afraid enough to believe, the likes of hatemongers such as Limbaugh, et al.

[SeattleWill]

What angers people, the people who actually pay taxes, is their elected representatives giving money to the people who don't pay taxes. In America, half the people pay no income tax. These are the same people getting handouts. Taking from the rich (and middle class) to give to the poor (fully half the population) is simply morally wrong. It must end. Taxation without representation is what got America to break from England. It is still wrong. Just because 52% of Americans voted against Bush (and for Obama) does not mean they bought in to socialism. Obama lied during the election and claimed to be a moderate. He has proven to be the most liberal president in our nation's history. He must be stopped.

[lgellman]

I disagree with everything you say but I'll confine myself to the highlights. First, what does not paying for even a fraction of what our government does on our behalf have anything to do with poor people who don't have the money in the first place. Second, if Obama lied during the election and has moved so far to the left of what he promised, why are the liberals the ones who are most angry with him? Third, what does any of this have to do with taxation without representation? We have complete representation--a legally elected President and Congress who all won in fair elections.

[IllinoisTexan43]

......... And cue the "Cadillac Queen". Question- what happens to these "Cadillac Queens" during republican administrations? Funny how they're never mentioned until a Democrat is in office.

[unite4change]

SeattleWill, first let just stop the myth of the middleclass. You are either rich or poor. Rich people work because they want to and poor people work because they have to. If you need a job to maintain your lifestyle you are poor, period. Just ask some of the so called middle class who have lost their jobs.

I do agree our elected representatives give money to those who don't pay taxes but thanks to President Obama, we're going to try like hell to close loop holes and tax havens wealth Americans and corporations use to hide income and to keep from paying taxes.

[unite4change]

SettleWill, didn't you just get a tax cut on April 1, 2009, as part of President Obama stimulus package?

I really wish you right leaning people would get the facts, they are everywhere, instead of believing and repeating the talking points of Rush, Hannity, Fox and the GOP.

[dragonlady620]

A substantial portion of those that pay no taxes is the very rich.

[PiscesGirl24]

I've been waiting for someone to write something like this. I think we want a country that can have spirited debates about issues and to get that we need more than one party. We need groups that look to check and balance each other. This version of the Republican party makes no sense. They keep getting angrier and angrier on top of that, they still want all the benefits of living in this great country.

Freedom has a price. We pay taxes to make sure we get clean drinking water and that our streets aren't filled with trash. We pay taxes to ensure the next generation of the country exists. We pay taxes because we have to pay for our way of life.

[unite4change]

PiscesGirl24, According to the GOP, that's socialism. Go figure.

[Cunningham]

"What was a party of responsibility and conservatism..."

WHEN was the GOP a party of responsibility and conservatism? REALLY, WHEN?

[unite4change]

Apparently, they don't know their own history. But we do.

[WorldPeaceService]

Really great article!

[KeepMeLearning]

In my seventh grade science class I learned one of the basic laws of nature: There is no such thing as a free lunch.

If you don't pay for it now, you will pay for it eventually...and usually at a greater cost.

[WorldPeaceService]

I said they should look in the mirror before I finished reading the article when I typed in my comments. I have not copied what the author has said. I stated it without knowing he would. But it is common sense. Anyway, I obviously agree with him. The article is excellent. The republicans are a sad and destructive bunch of losers.

[WorldPeaceService]

Republicans are idiots and everyone knows it! I'm getting sick and tired of people who have failed miserably whining and complaining. They need to start looking at themselves in the mirror if they want to know why they are so frustrated and at a loss.

[Craniumdude]

I have actually heard the radio commercials that Larry writes about above. They play full cycle on the right wing radio "SIT ON THEIR BEHINDS AND COMPLAIN" media programs. You can find the television counterparts on FOX. Especially during re-runs of MARRIED WITH CHILDREN. Which by the way.....The only thing funnier than that is glen beck's COMMON SENSE COMEDY TOUR! Can't wait to stand overnight in the rain to make sure I get front row tickets to that laugh fest.

[All4Democrazy]

IMHO - this whole thing is a f*in' joke. Taxes, no taxes...for it, against it...the simple truth of the matter is that everyone in this country thinks they know better than everyone else. Unfortunately, the government is a business, and the employees of said business expect raises every year, just like you and I would like.

Do people make mistakes? Of course, we're only human....do corporations make mistakes? Possibly, but they hire hundreds of tax lawyers to find the loopholes - so they're not "mistakes" they're law abiding citizens. If we want to redeem the money lost by individuals, let's kill the fees, penalties, and interest the IRS charges - and get them to pay what they owe.

Those tea-bagging idiots need to be sheared - hating policy just because it didn't come from your party is ludacris! Also - apparently, if Obama would've "hidden" the costs of the war, etc, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. Nobody really wants transparency, they just say they do.

[WorldPeaceService]

Allfordemocracy,

The current government under Obama and Obama himself do know better than anyone else. You're confusing too many issues which I find are unhelpful. You're having this conversation without me. Thought I would let you know your logic is flawed.

[WorldPeaceService]

all4democracy,

I apologize. Your logic is not flawed! It's actually good.

[Jude55807]

Paying taxes is fine, but our tax money is going to help big business with bailouts. However, during this same time countless students are losing their scholarships. Why pay banks when children are suffering. Watch the outrage, http://www.butasforme.com/2009/05/05/scholarship-students-nail-obama/

[patricksmom]

That wasn't the purpose of the tea parties. Of course they didn't want to bail out the banks, but they couldn't care less about children and education either.

[WorldPeaceService]

They are actually extremely selfish and have their own interests at heart.

[nolalola26]

Kudos!

But, I just gotta say in response to elevating Arlen Spector to your respectable level, I don't see how his jumping ship is helpful to the democrats. I think he'll do more harm than good, especially since he admitted that he was leaving the republican party because he couldn't garner enough voter support there. Way to stick to your principals, Arlen!

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, I think the republican party needs to fix their own house and soon, and quit focusing on tearing down anything the democrats or Obama want to do. I want at least 2 functional, healthy parties, instead of one lame duck and one raging bull. It's dangerously unbalanced, regardless of who's who.

[WorldPeaceService]

I love it!

[duchessofdork]

Refreshingly reasonable and rational. Thanks.