The House Republicans’ actions concerning the payroll tax cut extension finally reveals their true intentions (if anyone is paying attention). Presumably they disagree with the method to pay for tax cut. But their true disagreement involves to whom the wealth of this country is distributed. Republicans refuse to consider any type of tax increase to the wealthiest of this nation’s citizens, preferring to reduce the services and buying power of those least able to afford it. The argument they use is that any tax increase to the wealthy would inhibit the creation of jobs. Really? I am not buying it, and neither should anyone else (but the wealthy!). Taxes are just a type of expense a business incurs, just like wages and salaries, rent, etc. What leap of logic am I expected to make to think that business owners will use the proceeds from a lower business expense to create a job, therefore increasing another expense, without the assurance that the product or service from the added employee will generate an increase in revenue? Any reduction in business expenses will simply be used to increase the profits to owners or stockholders, or to pay down debt without such an assurance. With no increase in demand, expect no increase in jobs. No supply-side tax cut in the world will provide an increase in demand. To pull the wool over the eyes of their voters, Republicans will trumpet their stand on abortion, same-sex marriage, creationism, Jesus as one’s personal savior to get them to vote their way. Well how long will people hurt by the economic policies of the Republicans continue to buy this? Whatever stand I have on abortion (against, but for choice), same-sex marriage (for), creationism (don’t care if taught in the appropriate venue) and Jesus (none of your business) is completely irrelevant to the fact that many on my fellow citizens cannot afford a place to live and food to feed their families because of the failed economics of today’s Republican Party.
— Jim Jolley, Bolingbrook
