Walker criticized Tony Evers for a Middle Class Tax Cut?

Okay, I thought this was funny coming from Scott Walker, who's been taunting Gov. candidate Tony Evers to say how much he's willing to raise taxes, that he actually criticize a tax cut...Walker now doesn't like tax cuts?

Gov. Scott Walker and former Gov. Tommy Thompson ... criticized Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers' recently released 10 percent tax cut for middle class families.

See, Democratic tax cuts are bad, Scott Walker/Trump Republican tax cuts are good:

The tax plan would affect families earning less than $150,000 a year. It would also cut taxes by 10 percent for individuals earning less than $100,000 annually. According to a press release on the plan, the tax cut would reach approximately 86 percent of Wisconsin tax filers. Evers said he would fund the tax cut by rolling back cuts the Walker administration has given to higher earners, manufacturers and large agricultural operations.

Getting rid of a tax cut that never created any jobs but did stuff the pockets of major manufacturers didn't set right with Walker:

Walker said Evers' plan amounts to a tax hike. "If you pay more in taxes, that's a tax increase." 

I know, it's genius like that that's gotten us to this point, where we gave manufacturing a pass on educating their own future employees. Walker didn't stop there, reminding us how his dear dictator and "friend" Trump is making farmers lives miserable with tariffs:

Walker said, "It will raise taxes on farmers who are just devastated with the global economy. The last thing they need is a tax increase."

No, the last thing they need is Trump playing chicken with farmers living hoods. But sure, let's blame a small tax increase on farmers who get almost none of the tax cut on Evers? Here's WPR audio:



But wait, the Wisconsin Budget Project pointed this out just the other day:

It’s misleadingly named, as it mostly bypasses farms: While both manufacturers and agricultural producers can receive the credit, the bulk of the tax cut goes to manufactures. In the past, about $5 out of every $6 of the credit has gone to cut taxes for manufacturing businesses, rather than to farmers. That means that Wisconsin farmers are mostly left out of this credit, even though the name of the credit includes both industries.

Rising Tax Collections that could restore funding for Education to be given back as tax cut.

And you wonder why Republicans always screw up the economy.

If state income tax collections exceed forecasts, that should be good news for our elected officials who want to pay down the structural deficit and refund education.

Oh, I'm sorry, the Republicans are in charge. Even on a national level, Republicans say rising federal revenues will help pay for government without any tax increases. But that's a lie too.

Instead, improving revenues means two things; the public is overtaxed, and tax cuts must be enacted.

This is the same policy Bush put in place when Clinton left him surpluses. It was one of the big reasons for the tax cuts in 2001. If we allowed those surpluses to continue, instead of giving them back as tax cuts, think where we'd be today.

As seen on Here and Now, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald says give the money back and don't you worry about the structural debt.

Rep. Robin "Beer Head" Vos can't wait to take power

Rep. Robin Vos is about to become the speaker of the assembly, and he's hot on a big agenda, and big changes; a flat tax that makes the poor and middle class "pay their fair share." Of course the rich don't pay 12.2 percent into Social Security over $110,000, a break the poor and middle class don't get on their entire paycheck, but what the heck.

And of course Vos has been one of the leading Republican whiners demanding a change to our constitutional recall law. Conservatives liked the way our constitutions, state and federal, were written.

Doh, the Democrats now want to change the recall law too, which proves...the Republicans were right all along that the recalls were a waste of time and too costly.

And that my friends is the real end of our democratic republic.



Note: Vos had a beer poured over his head by a protester.

We've had higher taxes, and lived a great middle class life.

GOP Standing up for Middle Class, by Extending Payroll Tax and cutting health care funding, firing federal workers....

It stuns the senses that even one Democrat voted for the House Republicans version of the payroll tax extension. 10 Democrats turned their backs on their party and voters struggling to make ends meet.

NY Times: The House debate highlighted stark differences on jobless benefits. Republicans would reduce the maximum duration of benefits to 59 weeks, from the current 99. Representative Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon, said it was cruel to reduce the limit because, in many parts of the country, “the jobs aren’t there.”

But Representative Dave Camp, Republican of Michigan and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said 59 weeks reflected “the more normal level typically available following recessions.”

Ten Democrats voted for the bill, and 14 Republicans voted against it.

Those ten Democrats voted for draconian cut back of unemployment benefits and drug testing…

Tax Cuts and Vouchers; Two Ideas that will Never be Allowed to Die.

Revelation!!!?

Two mind numbing truths have emerged from the following article about a recent Republican town hall; voucher schools are for conservatives, and taxes are never ever low enough (if they were, Republicans would have nothing else to do or talk about).

Chippewa: State Sen Terry Moulton has been holding listening sessions throughout the district since he took office 11 months ago. But Monday’s session in Chippewa Falls was his first since a recall attempt was filed against him three weeks ago.

Fewer than 12 people were there, and they lived in the building.

Katherine Hartman, an apartment resident, spoke of an anti-bullying law targeting students that has been introduced in the Assembly. She said it is her hope that it would be expanded to include adults, particularly political bullying she alleged is being conducted by some teachers.

Hartman told of a 7-year-old who came home from school and proclaimed, “I hate Scott Walker.” She also accused some teachers of letting politics get in the way of teaching, and stated many conservative teachers are afraid to speak out for fear of discrimination.
“Forty percent of the state’s budget is kindergarten through grade 12. If this is (indicative) of what’s going on in our school systems, then you boys had better get into the voucher system,” she told the politicians.

The old "conservatives are afraid to speak out" BS (hey, they have Walker to back em up now), and get a liberal free voucher system going.

As far as taxes go, cuts and freezes are never enough...

Augie Boehm of Chippewa Falls said he was under the impression that there was a property tax freeze, yet he said Chippewa Falls School District taxes are rising this year.

“And I’m reading that next year the school taxes are going to go up again,” he said. “If we’re doing the cuts, and I agree with them, why isn’t the school doing its part?“

Too bad taxpayers in his day didn't pull the education rug out from under him.

Tax cuts for wealthy Good! Tax cuts for everyone else Bad!

Rachel Maddow lays it out so well that even a tea party voter will understand how hypocritical they've been...

Norquist Finds Way to Justify Ending SS Holiday; Endless BS is getting Really Really Tiring.

Republicans talk a lot about freedom and liberty, but watch out, it only means what they say it means.

In the past year since the Republicans took control of our state legislature, and the Congress, we're seeing how easily they can take everything away with the turn of an unfriendly card.

In Wisconsin, the GOP took away part of the Earned Income Tax Credit from the poor and middle class, which would normally have been considered a tax increase. Grover Norquist would be on their case instantly.

But like Humpty Dumpty, the Earned Income Tax Credit got the old Republican makeover and ended up being a "welfare program," a "redistribution of money" to people who didn't "earn" the credit. See. It's not a tax increase after all.

Which brings me to reinstating the Social Security tax holiday, which the Republicans insist didn't work, and...get this, was meant to end! Grover Norquist insists the Bush tax cuts were always meant to be made permanent, which is different from the temporary SS tax holiday, so it's not a tax increase like repealing the Bush tax cuts.  Check out the Rachel Maddow setup, and the down-the-rabbit hole bullshit from Grover Norquist.

Walker Tax Credits not the Answer After all.

We passed out money to businesses for infrastructure under the stimulus plan, but according to Republicans, that failed. But passing out money in the form tax credits to businesses under the Walker plan, well that's a rip roaring success...just you wait and see in five or ten years from now.

AP: A newspaper analysis raises questions about how effective tax credits are in prompting Wisconsin businesses to hire. Gannett Wisconsin Media examined state data over the past five years. It found that 40 percent of Wisconsin businesses that completed tax-credit programs tied to job creation failed to hire as many people as they expected.

A Wausau Daily Herald report says 9 of 15 businesses in that period met the hiring goal. And of the 191 other businesses still active in the program, just 8 percent created the required number of jobs to earn the credits. Some business owners say hiring decisions depend on more than short-term tax benefits.

The fact that tax credits have proven themselves to have little effect on jobs creation, is still not enough do away with the same old failed policy.

Governor spokesman Cullen Werwie says government can't directly make jobs, but it can improve the environment for businesses to grow and invest.

Invest in Republican campaigns. We know.

The Drum Beat Continues: Tax the Poor and Middle Class.

The Norquist no tax pledge doesn't apply to the elimination of tax credits for the middle class and poor. 

It's a tax increase if you do away with the Earned Income Tax Credit. But for some reason, Republicans have reasoned this "Earned" tax credit is welfare, a give-a-way, and therefore on the chopping block.

The Census Bureau has just release new numbers that deal with programs that prevent the poor and middle class from living in poverty:

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data that provided a more detailed picture of poverty and hardship in the United States. For the first time, the Bureau released 2010 poverty statistics under a new Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). At the same time, the SPM factors in tax and transfer programs such as SNAP/food stamps, the earned income tax credit, and housing subsidizes in determining those who are poor.

Why tamper with success, especially in these post Great Recessionary times? But the facts and no tax pledge falls to the wayside for Tea Party losers like Michele Bachmann, who seem to relish the economic divide in this country:

Think Progress: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who is campaigning for the 2012 GOP presidential nod, has already made it quite clear that she intends to raise taxes on the poorest Americans if elected. Today, she rolled out a new plan to hike taxes on those at the bottom of the income scale: eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit. 

This would be through the income tax system because the problem is, and this is where I deviate from Reagan, he instituted the Earned Income Tax Credit, it’s known as the EITC, and that effectively took many many Americans out of even having to pay any tax liability at all. I would do away with the EITC and if a person has $3 in income they would be subject to something. Obviously, no one has $3 in income. But they would have to pay something through that system.

The “Let Buffet pay More Taxes" bill Proof: Republicans are sick bastards, trick players, system gamers and profiteers.

Republicans don’t know how grotesque their “cute,” cruel little games look to adult voter in America.

Allowing greedy million and billionaires off the hook by proposing a "prank" bill that would allow those who want to pay more in taxes to do so, by Sen. John Thune and Rep. John Scalise, is a mean spirited insult to the American public.  

Fox News: Thune said, “This bill would make it easier for those wealthy individuals who feel they are currently under-taxed to pay more to the U.S. Treasury above and beyond their current obligations, without raising taxes on America’s job creators.”

Scalise said, “If Warren Buffett truly feels that he’s not paying enough in taxes, he doesn’t need a change in law to put his money where his mouth is, he can send his check for a larger amount to the Treasury today.”

These politicians aren’t grownups, they’re cry baby con artists, who think they’re being clever and funny.

Condescending clap trap like “the nation’s wealthiest pay more in taxes than the middle class or the poor,” should be answered with resounding “of course they do because they’re making way more money.” They really think we’re that stupid?

But supporters are still seizing on its message. “Sen. Thune should be commended for solving Warren Buffett’s seemingly intractable problem,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, “Thanks to Sen. Thune’s leadership, Mr. Buffett soon will be able to simply write a check when he thinks the government can spend his money better than he can.”

No, the greedy rich should pay too.

The Republican Party’s cheap insulting parlor tricks prove they’re not interested or serious about making government work for the people. 

It’s all a big joke to them. 

Radical Tax Cut Mantra Betrays More Thoughtful Republican Tax Policy of the Past.

When you're on the wrong side of the argument, or just simply hypocritical, the past will always find a way to come back and slap you down. Republicans for high taxes? Yes.

The Republicans were for fiscal policy based on thoughtful tax policy, before Grover Norquist dumbed down the political party.

For instance, during the Kennedy Nixon debates, Kennedy wanted to lower taxes while the Republicans thought that was fiscally irresponsible. Nixon gave money to poor people, a negative income tax, based on a Milton Friedman idea.

I wish Chris Matthews could have spent more time exploring the ideas tossed around here, but you take what you can get.

Arguing for a Tax Increase for Low Income Workers, from Republican "No Tax" Pledgers.

Conservative radio talker Heidi Harris proves she doesn't understand how tax brackets work as she continues the argument from the right that poor people need to pay more in taxes (tax increase?).

From what I can gather in the video, she doesn't know the 39.5 percent tax bracket only applies to the income over a certain dollar amount, not the persons income below that. For Harris, she would be okay with the poor paying in 39.5% tax.

Jaw dropping stuff, and another reason why arguing with the troglodytes is hopelessly futile.

Someone tell Republicans Entrepreneurs aren't real worried about paying taxes.

Lawrence O'Donnell punches a hole in the idea tax hikes on the wealthy discourages entrepreneurship:

Ryan get the Treatment for Tax Cut Job Creation Mythology.

It takes a comedy show to ask the simple questions, and tell the simple truthiness:

Rich Pay More in Taxes Numbers Don't Add Up.

This story is driving me crazy. 

Am I the only one who noticed the switch in what’s counted as taxes between the rich and poor?

AP made the subtle change from one paragraph to the other, without making the distinction that their numbers for millionaires included payroll taxes, while not including those same numbers for those making $50,000 to $75,000.

This year, households making more than $1 million will pay an average of 29.1 percent of their income in federal taxes, including income taxes, payroll taxes and other taxes, according to the Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank.

But in the next paragraph, notice the payroll tax is gone:

Households making between $50,000 and $75,000 will pay an average of 15 percent of their income in federal taxes.

Just federal taxes, not the payroll tax or other taxes like state and sales taxes. Think about it, many middle class workers are in the 15% tax bracket. Add to that their 15% payroll tax and we’re suddenly talking about a 30% tax rate, which is higher than the 29.1% those above $1 million are paying in total.

Could someone correct me if I’m missing an important paragraph edited from this version of the AP story.

When Loop holes get government out of the way they’re not loop holes anymore, according to Paul Ryan.

Loop holes are a lot different from pro-growth tax avoidance schemes. Paul Ryan says so.

Paul Ryan, the un-presidential candidate, has rarely if ever been asked to define a “loop hole.” I’m getting the feeling they’re all on a short list and have nothing to do with ending off shore jobs and profits.

The Huffington Post listed some of Ryan’s attempts to achieve tax fairness. And they’re not loop holes I tell ya: 

Take S.C. Johnson & Son, one of Ryan's biggest donors … based in Ryan's district Ryan introduced two bills in May 2005 that would have granted the company special exemptions from tariffs … (one would) reduce the duty on … cleaning appliances "capable of dispensing cleaning solution into a tub or shower enclosure using a button-activated, battery-powered piston pump controlled by a microchip." Those bills didn't move

I loved that one. Here’s more.

Tax loopholes for fraternity and sorority housing.

Ryan has also backed five bills to cut taxes for beer brewers, reduce beer taxes to pre-1991 levels and repeal occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine and beer. None became law.

Give a tax break to a group the LA Times referred to as "the golf-course underprivileged" … the Caddie Relief Act, which would have allowed golf caddies to forgo paying taxes on their earnings. Ryan has also opposed efforts to close offshore tax loopholes … voted against an amendment in 2006 that would have barred funding for contracts with U.S. companies incorporated offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. In 2004, he opposed an amendment that would have prohibited the Export-Import Bank from approving direct loans to U.S. companies incorporated offshore to avoid U.S. taxes.

So why has Ryan worked so hard to create loop holes he supposedly wants to repeal, unless…

Ryan spokesman Kevin Seifert said the lawmaker's record is consistent … "He has proposed specific solutions that eliminate or scale back all special interest tax breaks while advancing pro-growth reforms to help get America back to work.”

Surprise, they weren’t loop holes after all, but “pro-growth” reforms.

Another Town Hall: People are Catching on the Wealthfare Party. But a few....

I won't write much, except to say the video is uplifting and a sign people are onto the Republican rhetoric. But in the article below (not caught on video sadly), the stunning cluelessness and jealousy of a few, will always keep us from advancing.

FARGO – Divided economic philosophies enflamed a tense town hall meeting (of 200) Thursday night with North Dakota Republican Rep. Rick Berg.

inforum: Resident Darrel Lund said Congress ought to have just raised the debt ceiling as they were tasked to do, instead of adding to the problem through political deadlock. “That’s what’s caused uncertainty – that Congress can’t even do one thing,” Lund said to applause. “They had to make a political statement.”

Several residents grilled Berg for signing the pledge and for his refusal to consider tax increases, specifically for the wealthiest Americans, like him.

“You work for North Dakota residents, not some guy from another state,” West Fargo resident Don Frost said.

But here’s where the newest, mean spirited talking point reared its ugly head. Margi Schmidt inadvertently admitted “I’m the face of the evil rich,” an absolutely true statement if you go by her “lower class envy” comment here:

Some, like Valley City resident Margi Schmidt, asked why the poorest Americans aren’t made to pay taxes, too, which would raise federal revenues without increasing taxes on others. Schmidt shared how she worked her way through college – without federal aid – to become successful and wealthy in her career.

“I’m the face of the evil rich. I’m the face of the person who’s going to be hit with those increased taxes,” she said. “What happens to the 51 percent of Americans who don’t pay taxes? Why do I have to support them with all the hours I work?”

The next comment is basically the bottom line on wealth; if you’re not rich, you’re not trying. I can't tell you how many times I've heard this. Too many conservatives, the concept of living a comfortable life, without wealth, is laziness. This concept has always bubbled in the background, but for me, was never articulated better than J.D. Hoffner’s statement below:

“Those of you complaining about the rich, you had the same opportunities they had to become rich. You’re choosing not to,” West Fargo resident J.D. Hoffner said.

“We still live in the land of opportunity,” Hoffner added. “You’re choosing not to take advantage of those opportunities. It’s very simple.”

Freeloading Poor don't pay Taxes? But NewsMax ad Claims 46.9% of those earning $250,000 or more Paid Zero Taxes!!

Those damn 51 percent of poor and middle class Americans who don't pay taxes at all (federal, but that's never mentioned). Sure they pay a whole bunch of other taxes, but that's not the point. Conservatives want to tax the poor. 

Neil Cavuto beat the issue into the ground, take a look, you don't have to watch long: 

But this amazing book ad from Newsmax.com doesn't help Cavuto's, or any other Republicans argument:

The wealthy are getting fleeced? I haven't researched what "recent year" the wealthy 47 percent didn't pay any taxes, but I'm assuming that number doesn't fluctuate very much, considering tax policy hasn't change for awhile. 

Walker's Tax Credits Benefit Wealthy 1 to 2 Percent in State.

Guess what, the corporate tax cuts in Wisconsin aren't really that helpful, if at all. In some cases, individuals with no employees get the most benefit. Wow, what a shocker. And now that Scott Walker has opened his door to the corporate welfare office, those cuts can "help," but surprisingly just aren't enough...!

From WPT's Here and Now:



Gee, tight credit and third world country wages are tough to compete with. If only we could be more like them....