As time ticks by toward the “fiscal cliff” with continued obstruction from GOP representatives such as Chuck Fleischmann, the congressman needs to abandon his policy of “welfare for the one percent.”
The Republican Party lost the presidential election largely because voters were rightly appalled at Mitt Romney’s callous, arrogant attitude about hardworking people who continue to struggle in this country. Real numbers from all sides prove that raising taxes on the very wealthiest to a level still below Clinton-era rates would result in little or no loss of job creation, and would create a revenue source, based on fairness, that will help balance the budget.
Yet Fleischmann continues to cater to Tea Party extremists, in a stand that constitutes no less than welfare for the one percent. Republicans like to talk about “takers not makers.” What would you call people who hide behind tax shelters and off-shore accounts to avoid paying their fair share of taxes, while working-class and middle-class Americans continue to up their productivity each year? American workers are the real “makers,” and the one percent are the real “takers.”
Democrats support dialogue in Congress leading to a solution that will work for all of the American people, not blind allegiance to outdated “pledges.”
Instead of only considering the demands of his wealthy donors, it’s time for Congressman Fleischmann to represent the needs of all his constituents.
Paul Smith, Chairman
Hamilton County Democratic Party
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Why am I not surprised the author of this post is Paul Smith?
And, how much would raising the tax rate get you? Would it erase the trillion dollars of debt for this year? How come it’s so hard to ask the government to stop spending more than they can steal?
You want fair? Why not ask every person in America to pay the same rate? Let’s start with 10 cents for every dollar, regardless of the source of income. Even 15 cents might be ok. I would even be willing to allow a per person deduction from that number. That way we don’t overburden the “poor”. At least the moochers would have some skin in the game.
Robert Harvey
Chattanooga
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Mr. Smith,
I am a middle class working stiff, and I am tired of paying for the high percentage of people that choose not to work. I remember a story on News Channel 9 not that long ago. It was a story on the closing of Emma Wheeler Homes, and a lady was all in a tizzy, she stated she had been living there for 36 years. Yes, 36 years in public housing. That's something that should enrage you, Mr. Smith, that our own government could hold someone down that long.
Instead of all the free ride programs we need programs to get people working. When I was younger and money was tight I worked all day then delivered pizzas at night, and I made something of myself by working hard and paying my own way.
I know there are some that are not able to work, but if we could have a true audit of all people receiving government handouts, we could solve our debt problem. Mr. Romney paid the same percentage of taxes as President Obama last year, yet you never mention how he should pay more. Your hatred is only towards one party. If you really believe the rich should pay more then include all the rich, not just the Republicans and the Tea Party members.
I have yet to see Hollywood bigwigs sending in checks to pay a bigger share. Warren Buffet doesn't even put his money where his mouth is. And when John Kerry registered his multi- million dollar yacht in another state to avoid taxes, I must have missed your letter about that.
I really like the idea of a flat tax, but then all the IRS goons would be jobless. It all comes down to spending, don't have the money then don't write a check. Streamline all agencies and curtail all foreign give-a-way programs. Get anyone that is a criminal off government assistance and start putting heavy fines and jail time on people who illegally get welfare, food stamps and disability.
Bill Slack
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Mr. Smith, it is wonderful to see that you are speaking out against the Republican Party so much. The reason that Mr. Romney lost the election as you say because of his "callous, arrogant attitude about hardworking people who continue to struggle in this country." I feel he lost because of the number of states and people that your party supports that want a free ride. It is amazing that 15 states that President Obama won are either heavily union states, or those states that are in financial ruins and in most cases both.
Mr. Smith, you state "Democrats support dialogue in Congress leading to a solution that will work for all of the American people, not blind allegiance to outdated pledges.” Where and what is that solution? Is it a balanced budget? There has only been one of those proposed by your Democratic President in the past four years and not even one of your fellow Democrats would vote in favor of it. . There are many false facts being thrown around about the Republicans wanting to block a tax increase for the wealthy, but I never see anything about how "Obama-Care" will be the largest tax increase on the middle class in U.S. history. Why no mention of that? Maybe instead of being nothing more than a instigator you could try and become part of the solution.
Dee Layne