The GOP Hates Taxes - Unless They're On The Poor

[kpete]

Through the artificial debt-ceiling "crisis," through the Moonie-like spectacle in Iowa of candidates (including Mr. Sanity, Jon Huntsman) raising hands to promise never to accept any tax increase, the Republican field has been absolutist and inflexible about not letting any revenue increase, in any form, be part of dealing with debts and deficits. Except, it now turns out, when the taxes are those (a) that weigh most heavily on the people who are already struggling, and (b) would have the most obvious "job-killing" effect if they went up.

the rest:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/the-gop-position-on-taxes-gets-worse/243930/
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/08/the-gop-hates-taxes-unless-theyre-on-the-poor.html

[Octafish]

1. The poor don't pay them.

Why should the GOP care?

Speaking of Moonies:

Know your BFEE: 1984 Death of Outstanding Congressional Staffer Buried Poppy-Moon Relationship

[earthside]

2. I disagree.

Democrats, progressives, liberals and Pres. Obama should never have bought into this 'frame' that paying for Social Security is a 'tax' the same way income tax, sales tax, property tax, etc. are taxes.

Because then Social Security really can be defined as a 'welfare' program.

Now, Fallows is correct that the reason the Repuglicans want this tax cut to expire is not for the same those on the left don't like this "pay-roll tax holiday" ... but that doesn't change the argument that this was and is a bad idea.

If you want to preserve, protect and defend Social Security, then keeping the FICA payment as the finding mechanism is very important.

[phantom power]

3. Also good:

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2011/8/22/1000/55083