Mark Twain once said “ No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” No one exemplifies that statement better than Kevin McCarthy, the powerful Republican majority leader of the House of Representatives. He hates and disrespects the residents of the state he represents—California. How can you explain his support for this miserable and inequitable bill that has been passed by the House and which he whole-heartedly supports. It limits deductions for property taxes to not more than $10,000 and deprives everyone the deduction for state and local income taxes. (California is always among the top 3 states in this category—and yes---full disclosure—it impacts me as well as most residents). That said property values in California are among the highest in the nation. A million dollar home in the San Fernando Valley is less than $300,000 in almost half the states in our country. We live here because we all enjoy the lifestyle that this great state affords us and we are willing to pay for that. Why should we be penalized and punished? Why should he support a bill that will lessen everyone’s property values and hurt almost everyone financially in this state.
California pays more to the Federal Government that it receives back—that’s a fact—it’s also true that most Southern states receive more money than they pay in. Inequitable?—more than likely—but in McCarthy’s convoluted logic he declares that the other states subsidize California---instead of the other way around. Here’s what he really hates—California is a democratic state today. Because of open primaries, those candidates with moderate views tend to lead the primaries and then the runoff is between two centered candidates. The wack-a-doodles are eliminated in the first round—we could not have a Roy Moore candidacy here—and the base is a dial on your stereo.
The Bill’s mean-spiritedness is shown in other areas---1. No deduction for alimony payments—if you are middle class and earning between $60,000 and $100,000 and you get divorced, more than likely you will pay 20% to 25% of your earnings to your ex-spouse---the “disingenuous Republicans” led by Whip McCarthy figured out that if you make $80,000 and you deduct $20,000, the government will receive less money from the two taxpayers—one earning $60,000 and the other receiving taxable alimony payments of $20,000----so the working spouse—since child support is not tax deductible—will have access to about 35% to 45% of his/her earned income---not even close to being fair and reasonable—especially in light of not changing the carried interest tax provisions —which only benefit millionaires 2. The $250 tax deduction that teachers are are allowed to deduct for buying school supplies for their class has been repealed----because Republicans understand the less educated people are, the better chance they have to win elections. Look at their records in other states---when revenues shrink, the first thing they cut is education. In a complicated world, their goal is to dumb down our public educational system and ruin our public schools. Exhibit A—Sam “Bumblebrain” Brownback who has singlehandedly turned Kansas into a financial and fiscal mess. Oklahoma (another Republican stronghold) is struggling to keep its public schools open 5 days a week. Why on earth would be the motivation to cut the deduction for teacher’s taking money out of their own pockets to help their students? 3, The adoptive tax credit is repealed---mean-spirited—no other way to describe it---hardly pro-life—and totally hypocritical. 4. No more deductions for medical expenses—which is in line with the the House Health Care Bill which was passed and subsequently rightfully defeated in the Senate---zero empathy for people with serious medical issues; and finally 5. Serious cuts to Medicare---which millions of people in our country depend on.
McCarthy allies himself with Paul Ryan—the Speaker of the House---a man with deadpool eyes, no compassion— a true political zombie—a legislator who stated that he would not talk to Democrats to shape any major legislation---which leads to my next question—”when did Democrats stop being Americans?” He was responsible for and proud of a failed healthcare bill that would have thrown approximately 25 million people off the health care rolls. Now he takes pride in this horrendous tax bill which hurts almost everyone in California—and only benefits high earners and corporations. Only 3 California Republican House members out of 14 stood up for the residents of this state---every other member supported the bill. These are their names and their office telephone numbers—these people live in our state and are all acting against our collective interests. They are up for election in 2018---none of them deserve another term.
Kevin McCarthy 202-225-2915 Doug LaMalfa 202-225-3076 Paul Cook---202-225-5861
Jeff Denham 202-225-4540 David Valadao 202-225-4695 Edward Royce 202-225 -4111
Mimi Waters 202-225-5611 Duncan Hunter 202-225-5672 Ken Calvert 202-225-1986
Devin Nunes 202-225-2523 Steve Knight 202-225-1956
Raise you voice---call their offices---let them know what you think---this bill is about punishing the residents of our great State. Make them understand that that you will remember their actions when the 2018 elections are held.