Cantor Suggests Raising Taxes On The Poor: ‘You’ve Got To Discuss That Issue’

[Bill USA]

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/04/19/467476/cantor-raise-taxes-on-poor/

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) revived one of the GOP’s favorite talking points this morning, telling attendees at a Politico-sponsored breakfast event that it was imperative that Congress address the “problem” that “more than 45 percent” of Americans aren’t paying income taxes.

The GOP has repeatedly made the claim that the poorest Americans need more “skin in the game.” Today, response to a question by ABC’s Jon Karl, Cantor made it clear that Republicans are interested in raising taxes on the poor while lowering tax rates for everyone else as part of any comprehensive tax reform plan:

CANTOR: We also know that over 45 percent of the people in this country don’t pay income taxes at all, and we have to question whether that’s fair. And should we broaden the base in a way that we can lower the rates for everybody that pays taxes. [...]

KARL: Just wondering, what do you do about that? Are you saying we need to have a tax increase on the 45 percent who right now pay no federal income tax?

CANTOR: I’m saying that, just in a macro way of looking at it, you’ve got to discuss that issue. … How do you deal with a shrinking pie and number of people and entities that support the operations of government, and how do you go about continuing to milk them more, if that’s what some want to do, but preserve their ability to provide the growth engine? … I’ve never believed that you go raise taxes on those that have been successful that are paying in, taking away from them, so that you just hand out and give to someone else.

Watch Cantor’s full answer here: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/04/19/467476/cantor-raise-taxes-on-poor/

ThinkProgress has repeatedly explained why many Americans don’t pay income taxes — most either don’t make enough money or are college students or seniors with no yearly incomes. And those Americans are subject to various other forms of taxation, including the federal payroll tax.

The richest Americans, meanwhile, have seen their tax rates fall even as their incomes skyrocketed, contributing to rising inequality and exploding federal deficits. As Cantor made plain today, though, none of that matters. In addition to making the poor and middle class shoulder the burden of draconian budget cuts, Republicans want to raise their taxes too.

[tanyev]

1. Yes, Eric. I think you and your GOP colleagues should discuss that at great length.

[BlueJazz]

2. Boy oh Boy...the rich pay the powers-that-be to suck the life and fair wages out of...

...the remaining populace and THEN complain because the poor working stiff doesn't make enough to make-up for the
shortfall that happens when the rich avoid paying their fair share of taxes because the rich are paying the powers that be
to suck the life.....(Repeat as many times as you want)....

[GodlessBiker]

3. This is psychotic Twilight Zone stuff.

[alphafemale]

4. Because they mostly don't have INCOME and pay PAYROLL TAXES you Fucking FUCK Republicans!

Yeah. Most poor people don't pay taxes on non existent things like Interest and Dividend Income. ASSHOLES!

[kenny blankenship]

5. I'm sure we'll meet him in the middle someplace!

That's where the vital center is after all.

[lovemydog]

6. All the repub party does

is redistribute wealth from the 99% to the 1%.

That should be our main message.

[lastlib]

7. Blood out of turnips--real smart, Cantor, you FUCKWAD!!!

A while back, I had a repug I know tell me that raising taxes on the rich was "punishing success."

I asked him, "what do you want to punish--FAILURE?? GOOD LUCK with that...."

[roguevalley]

8. how in the blue hell does anyone get to be such a douchebag?

I am staggered when they say stuff like this. I want to slap his parents.

[freshwest]

9. Yes, the poor are hoarding money. Check out homeless bag ladies, there's a lot stashed in those bags.

Of course, the poor have lots of assets. Their clothes, cars and bicycles, furniture, cell phones, all those things they need to get to work and school in.

Some actually have homes, health care and food. If they skip all of those luxuries, they'll have more than enough for taxes.

Oh, and don't forget to get them to pay their tithes. Ryan is a Catholic in excellent standing with the Church and I'm sure he pays his.

[Jamaal510]

10. A summary of the GOP mindset:

Raising taxes on the middle and lower classes and cutting safety net programs=Good
Raising taxes on people who can afford to pay extra=Class warfare and an infringement on our "freedom".

Do I have this right?

[libodem]

11. Freak of nature

No empathy psychopathic, soulless creature, protector of all that is unholy, for the sake of money and not living human beings. Filthy, vile, parasite. The worst humanity has to offer for any shread of decency toward the least of those amongst us.