There are other ways to move the country forward that are better than the latest attempt at Trickle Down Economics

The Republicans have finally released their version of tax reform. There are no surprises as most of the details have leaked out. What is surprising is this proposal, in its present form, is the most regressive form of taxation presented to the American People. You or your business fare better depending on how wealthy you are. It is hard to imagine that this plan passes in its present incarnation. It is also amazing that this attempt at tax legislation still finds blind support in Republican circles after similar attempts in the Reagan and Bush II Administrations never yielded the economic growth and job numbers that were promised. Recent tax experiments along the same lines in Kansas and a lesser extent Arizona have been either mixed (Arizona) or downright disastrous (Kansas). People should remember that the last three times we were close to full employment were during the Johnson, Clinton, and Obama Administrations whose economic policies focused on sound fiscal and taxation management, building on the social contract, and investing in the future. You do not see any of that in the Republican tax proposals released today. There are better ways to move the country forward and these include:

1) Rebuilding our nation's infrastructure with an emphasis on utilizing green energy.

2) Stabilizing our health care system by making C.H.I.P. permanent and building on Obamacare which could include a public option for people, especially for those between 55 and 64 where they can possibly buy into Medicare.

3) Promoting paid family leave over an agreed upon time limit.

4) Increasing tax incentives like the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, research tax credits, making your businesses or homes, environmentally friendly, purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles and giving tax credits to businesses who hire people.

5) Increasing the minimum wage so our people have greater purchasing power.

6) Increasing Pell grants for students and promoting a national apprentice system.

7) Balancing our budget and reducing our debt with tax policies that include a national lottery and a national sales tax on purchases over a certain amount. Another idea to explore may be to eliminate the estate tax for a new tax rate of 50 % on those people that would benefit from the elimination of that tax.

8) Entitlement reform which may include raising the maximum amount withdrawn on payroll taxes and possibly means testing.

9) Launching a new national mission to explore space and colonize the Moon and Mars as well as exploring our world's oceans.

So there are ways to make our country better and go forward that are pragmatic, fiscally responsible, progressive and invest in tomorrow for our people. The Republican Tax Plan does none of that. Democrats and Progressives can and should promote a better way.


https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/27/us/politics/six-charts-to-explain-the-republican-tax-plan.html?smid=fb-share

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/business/economy/corporate-tax-economists.html?smid=fb-share

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/us/politics/republican-tax-plan-winners-losers.html?smid=fb-share

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/2/16595980/winners-losers-house-republican-tax-bill