Before Thanksgiving, our Congress is planning to vote on major "Tax Reform" bills and have them signed by Mr. Trump before Christmas. Republicans claim the bills they have brought forth will cut taxes for the middle class and "stimulate" our economy. They also claim they are simplifying the tax code. It is hard to believe even they believe these claims.
When supporters, all Republicans in both the House and Senate, are asked about provisions of the bill, it is clear they don't really know or understand what is in the bills, let alone the consequences of passing this legislation for most Americans. They say they don't want to give tax breaks to the rich, but know full well this is what will happen.
Republicans in the Senate made sure that only Republican votes would be necessary to pass this tax overhaul and shoved hundreds of amendments into the bill which will affect large numbers of the most vulnerable Americans. This includes cutting Medicaid and Medicare, license to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Reserve and a repeal of the most critical part of the Affordable Care Act, which was already voted down several times this year, and lots more.
What is going on here? It is about a win, a big win. Supposedly, Republicans promised their constituents they would repeal "Obamacare." Because it has the name "Obama" in it, it is reflexively hated by a large number of white Americans. "How dare a black man think he could be president and pass anything?" So, in order to keep the loyalty of these constituents, they feel they can cheat, lie, misdirect, and generally cause harm to many Americans as long as they can claim a big win.
The one thing that is certain, if members of Congress have to prepare a bill in secret, then scheme and plot to make sure only their party gets a say in what is passed, something is wrong with the legislation. And, of course, there is a lot wrong with it. Cutting taxes for the wealthiest hoping they will put that money into more jobs or anything else except their bank account is ridiculous. Cutting corporate taxes nearly in half also hoping for more jobs, higher wages, and the return of money from offshore is a fantasy they want uninformed Americans to buy.
But wait! Most Americans do not want these bills at all. Over and over, polls tell all of us that Americans do not want tax cuts for the wealthy. They like their health care. They like the deductions for state and local taxes. They like the deductions for student loans (even though they are very small) and those for home mortgages. This does not seem to matter at all. No Republicans have come forward to say "I am not voting for this thing. My people don't want it, so I support them." If they were to say this, their donors will supposedly pull financial support for their campaigns. These Republican candidates are sure their courage will not be rewarded at home. Far right candidates will be put against them and be better funded, so they will lose the seat.
Wow! So donors buy the seats and make demands from those who sit in them. In New Jersey, a Senator is on trial for accepting gifts with no evidence that those gifts influenced his votes on anything. How is he on trial when wealthy Republican donors are not? They are getting votes for their gifts.
When the win is the only thing. People will sacrifice their honor, their integrity, and just about everything else for it. They will allow themselves to be threatened, cajoled, and bribed into doing things they know are wrong. Or, they lie to themselves that what they are doing is good for everyone because it is good for them. I keep hoping a Republican "lawmaker" will see defeating a horrific bill as a win. I doubt I will see it any time soon, though. So, I will mourn with the American people as we deal with the major cuts to critical programs that will come just because Republicans need a win.
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