Robert Reich
If Republicans actually gave a crap about controlling the debt, they’d repeal the Trump tax cuts or pass taxes on the rich. But we all know this isn’t about that. This is a backdoor ploy to force cuts to Social Security and Medicare. We cannot let them get away with this.
Jan 24, 2023 at 10:24pmWeb
Show threadStu Duerson, machina exo deusJan 24, 2023

@rbreich

A 30% sales tax on 'everything' means one's home is immediately, the second the law takes effect, worth only 75% of what it was, if it is to sell at the 'same price.'

It's not just a tax on consumables. It is a devaluation of net worth.

Show threadKaren BethanyJan 24, 2023
@rbreich
Oh wow / we’re suddenly panicked about the deficit we conveniently forget we created giving corporations big tax cuts. Should we a) tax windfall profits of corporations who took advantage of inflation stories to overcharge customers or b) reduce programs aimed at keeping the poor and elderly from being forced to choose between food and healthcare. Their cruelty (disproportionately impacting their own effing voters) is bonkers.
Show threadJLJan 24, 2023
@rbreich I wish someone would explain to me the republican agenda (beyond power for sake of power). My opinion: they want to get back to a feudal system like in Europe middle ages, or industrial exploitation, like again in Europe before Blum in France (12 year & 60 year olds working in coal mines)
Show threadTheDon2Jan 25, 2023
@rbreich the long term goal is to privatize SSA. They play the long game. Their strategy is to cripple it & then rush in to pick the bones of the dying corpse.
Show threadGinalolajupiterJan 25, 2023

@rbreich

Definitely repeal trump cuts. We won’t recover from them for decades!

Next, tell Lindsey Graham that nobody in corporate America wants to see anyone over 50 in their companies. CHECK LAYOFF STATS. People are LUCKY to make it to 60 BUT NEVER WILL MAKE IT TO 70!

Graham is an asshole.

Show threadEddie the BulldogJan 25, 2023
@rbreich Exactly. You can always increase REVENUE, boys. God knows you're too "patriotic" to reign in the military industrial complex. But, your rich donors used to pay 90% and 50% (real people and conservative justice "people") back in the day - and we didn't have debt.
Show threadJeanetteJan 25, 2023

@rbreich Yep...their only goal is to starve everyday Americans of needed resources so they can keep accumulating more wealth, influence and power.

TAX THE RICH

Show threadSFborn1940Jan 25, 2023
@rbreich A heavy majority of sensible voters want necessary social services. Republicans want headlines and to stir up their lunatic fringe.
Show threadcyclical_obsessiveJan 25, 2023

@rbreich "... backdoor ploy to force cuts to Social Security..."

Not just Republicans. In researching why Step 10 1040 Worksheet Taxation of Social Security Benefits - the $12,000 MFJ / $9,000 single threshold is not indexed (resulting in higher taxation of Social Security Benefits every year).

""The lack of an indexing provision for the thresholds was not an oversight by Congress... benefit taxation .. politically more feasible ... diminish .. as years passed."
SS Bulletin 1 V56, No. 2 1993

Show threadJerryJan 25, 2023
@rbreich Democrats should bring a bill to repeal the tax cuts to the floor to force republicans not to vote for it and exposing their hypocrisy.