Here we go again: Eric Cantor revives the GOP war on the working poor.
The House majority leader told a Politico-sponsored breakfast event today that it was imperative that Congress address the "problem" that "more than 45 percent" of Americans (mostly the working poor) "don’t pay income taxes at all."
Cantor says Republicans are interested in RAISING TAXES (Grover Norquist, where are you?) on the working poor while lowering tax rates for everyone else as part of any comprehensive tax reform plan.
"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," Cantor told ABC’s Jon Karl.
You have to give Cantor some credit because at least he used the word "income" when referring to that 45 percent (although he should have added "federal" to say "federal income taxes").
After all, most Republicans usually just throw out the phrase "45 percent of Americans don't pay taxes," giving the false impression that 45 percent of Americans pay no taxes at all and that the other 55 percent carry the entire load.
We all know that's silly, of course, because that leaves many other taxes that the working poor pays, either directly or indirectly. For example, the working poor still pays Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes -- 6.2 percent of wages for Social Security and another 1.45 percent for Medicare (employers match for a total of 15.3%).
They also pay a higher percentage of their income on state and local taxes in every state (except Vermont). In Alabama, for example, families which make less than $13,000 pay 11 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while those making more than $229,000 pay just 4 percent.
Other taxes the working poor pay come in the form of higher prices passed on to consumers, including property taxes, gas taxes, taxes on imported goods and corporate income taxes.
If you add on GOP proposals to gut Planned Parenthood, cut food stamps, eliminate the Medicare guarantee, repeal the Affordable Care Act and enact tax cuts for millionaires, you have a very clear picture of where the GOP would take our country if they were put back in charge.
Ed will have a lot to say about Cantor's comments tonight on The Ed Show at 8pET on MSNBC.
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*sigh* another "War on ..."? Really? OK, then how about Obama's War on dogs?
And lets not forget the teabagger (and their supporters) war on sane, intelligent thinking.
Fed the starving and the poor.....Cantor is a jerk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ4A4K18hOk
I'll chime in later. I think this is an important video.
Watch it after the Ed Show. Out greatest enemy is not the terrorists on foreign soil. It is Oligarchy which is compromising our Democracy. Citizens United simply cannot stand.
The answer to Ed's question is, "YES!", The GOP is heartless. Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan and John Boehner are contemptible and need to be voted out of office. Mitt Romney will not only keep them in power, he agrees with them. In fact, he will double down on their egregious policies.
Neat, name calling.....typical.
so we now have the dems war on religion, motherhood, dogs, successful people, special needs babies, babies in the womb, personal responsability, and some others. my my dems are a violent people.
Double post.....kind of like these "War on ..." posts
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Indigo Montoya
And lets also not forget the teabaggers war on taking us back to the 1800's.
28 of the 29 "most generous" states are Red States that voted for President Bush (including all 25 of the "most generous" states), while 17 of the 21 "least generous" states are Blue States that voted for Senator Kerry (including all 7 of the "least generous" states): http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/…
Oops! This link apears to be broken.
Grover's pledge is ONLY for the rich? Where are the JOBS Boehner promised? Johnny's still crying for his lost investment along with Pinhead Cantor! Waa! No keystone. Even the rich don't want this stupid legislation just one more way to wipe there asses with American values,lie cheat and steal that's the GOP ever since they kissed ass to the Tea Party. Which is no party, its the Koch Brothers fake party and some are foolish enough to fall for it over and over. Its a war alright a war on the people...but corporations are people too! I will believe they are when Perry executes one in Teaxas!
Hey ya know why the poor don't pay federal income tax......because they don't make any money worth taxing. If you want to pretend to care about the strictly mathematic approach then it's clear raising rates on the very small 1% would generate higher revenue than raising them on people who make nothing.
Neither side is interested in getting their job done Eric Cantor can say whatever he wants they care about votes not people.
Close to half of U.S. households currently do not owe federal income tax. The Urban Institute-Brookings Tax Policy Center estimates that 46 percent of households will owe no federal income tax for 2011. [1] A widely cited figure is a Joint Committee on Taxation estimate that 51 percent of households paid no federal income tax in 2009.[2] (The TPC figure for 2009 also is 51 percent.) [3]
These figures are sometimes cited as evidence that low- and moderate-income families do not pay sufficient taxes. Yet these figures, their significance, and their policy implications are widely misunderstood.
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3505
Oft-Cited 51 Percent Figure Is Temporary Spike Caused by Recession
Lower-Income People Pay Considerable Payroll, State, and Local Taxes
Policy Options to Force People with Low Incomes to Pay Federal Income Tax Are Unsound
So once again tea bagging fake outrage and lack of knowledge on taxes.
Whomitmay, Good post.
whom you just made the reps point. 50% dont pay federal income taxes. ty
One in two Americans is now considered low-income. Of the 47-50% who owe no federal income tax (a number often reguritated by the con bots), 60% make under $20,000 a year. There's a reason why they have no federal income liability.
"The Congressional Budget Office found that earners in the lowest quintile, where most of those with no income tax liability fall, shouldered 4.3 percent of the payroll tax burden in 2005 and 11.1 percent of the excise taxes. Their effective tax rate (which is calculated by dividing taxes paid by total income) in those categories, according to the CBO, was in fact significantly higher than the rate of the top quintile..." (factcheck.org)
And while we're looking at the 'paid no federal income tax at all' figure, there's this: "A Government Accountability Office study released in 2008 found that 55 percent of United States companies paid no federal income taxes during at least one year in a seven-year period it studied." (NY Times)
http://www.factcheck.org/2008/11/americans-paying-no-taxes/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/economy/14leonhardt.html
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/12/14/20111214-of-2-in-america-low-income.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/business/economy/03rates.html
@whomitmay,
Excellent point.
People that are disabled pay no tax.
Does that mean that mika doesn't pay any?
Who knows with tea bagging trolls they lie so much you can't believe a word they say. Notice he doesn't get that payroll taxes are taxes on workers income that workers have no say on it being taken or how much they pay as it is taken out of their pay before they even get a pay check. Who knows if its stupidity or just another lie coming out of his mouth. That 46 or 51% don't pay income tax is misleading as that only is income from people who don't have taxes taken from their pay. What it really shows in that there are far fewer people not working for themselves and more working for a pay check. Which means small businesses are not being created, when that number lowers it means more people are self employed when that number goes up as it is now means more people are working for a pay check. Another thing missed by our tea baggers is out of that 46 to 51% 61% are paying payroll taxes, 22% are retired living on SS and 17% are disabled, sick or unemployed when you take in that 9% are unemployed welfare recipients that leaves 8% on disability. So what our little tea baggers think and what reality is are miles apart.
#3.6 Psychosis is a disability.
So is delusional thinking but the tea bagged republicans put someone in the white house that was clearly delusional, what would have been funny if it weren't for the mess he created, was the tea bagged republicans thought he was smarter than they were.
Whomitmay, Yeah, so funny we're still forgetting to laugh. Unbelievable.
Haddle...
Dummycrats can't have it both ways...you guys need to pick a viewpoint and stick with it.
Either, according to Thankful Mom, payroll taxes, FICA, sales tax and other similar taxes count as paying taxes
OR
according to you, they don't.
Pick a side and stick with it. You can't claim that individuals pay taxes and then claim that businesses don't.
Ed, here's a fact about income tax that cuts both ways. The working poor have income tax deducted from their paychecks. The government uses that money all year, until the individual files a return and the money is refunded either in part or totally.
The same goes for corporations. They file quarterly estimated taxes, and that money is used by the government all year. When returns are filed, some part of that money may be refunded to the corporation or it may owe more than has been paid.
So EVERYBODY pays income taxes. I've been saying for years that the government should be paying us interest on that money they get to use all year.
If the rich wanted or anybody else can estimate their next years taxes and pay them all in part. But why and who would do this?
thank tea party eric cantor and the rest of the retarded republican party out their you will just make it easier and easier to beat obama i think you guys forgot your plan but anyways thanks fro beating each other up and for proving how retarded the republican party is the people dont want your plan because it's not in the interest of us! and we the people the smart one are going to vote idiots like you out eric cantor and other teabag douche bags out their! liberal and democratic maybe not prefect or do everything in are interest but they never cross the line with plans like eric cantors i can't stand the conservative party.
Indeed true we ain't no fools!
I know where three people can find work.......You can be a Secret Service Agent.
TM, LOL!
I still say when Cantor was born the doctor slapped his mother.
If I was his mother I would have slapped the doctor for leaving that turd. lol
willards economy plan......So where is it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vL9LRR55Jw&feature=related
I though he said he didn't have a job......
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/obama-takes-on-romney-in-new-ad/2012/04/02/gIQAbHXarS_blog.html
Mitt Romney insulted Bethel Bakery"s cookies (without even tasting them)! OMG, Pittsburgers, this is WAR! Bethel Bakery has cookies almost as good as what I make here at home!!!! This is grounds for war!
Is this guy the very definition of un-cool or what?! Most people (and stress on the word PEOPLE) would eat one and say, "Thanks!"
Is Mitt Romney people? Sometimes I wonder!
My CAT has better manners! He asks to come on my lap and waits for me to give the signal. Then he jumps up, or not. I mean, do we want a president who is not as polite as my CAT???
Or as smart?
but you have no problem with michele saying not to eat cookies
Now if that many people are not paying income taxes,and you want to lower the ones who are paying,to kept from paying your fair share! you probably felt that way about the military!or anything that has to do with service your country.And please don't tell me what you are doing now is serving this country,because all this country is to you is a cash cow,that kept giving and giving and you just kept taking and taking!!!!!
Eric Cantor took the Republican Oath of Office.
"I swear to tell the half truth, half of the truth, and nothing but the half truth so help me the corporate god, money."
Eric Cantor and rest of good old boys club ought to be ashamed for who and what they stand for. I saw on the news tonight a real man who has a big heart for the poor in this country tonight. His name Warren Buffet. He and farmers will make it possible to grow allot of food for hungry in America. I respect him for using his wealth to help ! But for people like Romney, Cantor and the rest you are a disgrace.
I don't know if I'll be able to type, I'm so livid!! I absolutely hate Eric Cantor. I know you're not supposed to hate anyone, but they make it sooo easy. I say we strip him of ALL HIS MONEY and make him live on $10,000 a year. I would love to see him try to do it. He couldn't and he'd be crying like a baby. There are a lot of other Repubs I'd like to see that happen to, too!
MJB, I understand exactly. Those shark-like eyes of his make me turn my face away! What an absolute horror of a human being. I have an idea: Let's vote him out!!!
I'm not sure where you live, but I'd have to move to Virginia to be able to vote him out and that's not an option, but if it was, you bet I'd vote him out! LOL
MJB, I'd say that might be worth moving to Virginia. LOL
I want to move to the Isle of Man just to get away from these Republicans. How many more months to go? OMG...............................
Thank you for showing how many hours a Minimum Wage earner has to work to be able to afford rent (not for mansions) in every state. That is a great chart! Please post it on the website.
The US Minimum Wage is almost enough to support ONE person. Those elites in Congress act like the poor just aren't scrimping enough to raise a family with children on that lousy wage.
Auntie Sez, I honestly doubt that one could raise a family on minimum wage and live any semblance of a normal life. That would come to about $14,500.00 a year? (Math never my strong suit). Both parents would have to work full time to even own a car, and then...how about child care? It would be awful. And they want to take these folks down!? It is immoral.
Also, can somebody tell me exactly how little one has to make for food stamp eligibility. I don't know the answer to that.
auntie states can raise the minimum wage as high as they want as long as its higher than the federal minimum. lol i cant believe you dems dont know this. federal minimum wage is the lowest a state can pay. liberal states like calif mass oreg wash and others can raise the rate as high as they want. why dont they raise it to $20.00 an hour? lol no excuses either raise it or stfu
just vote them all out this year.G.O.P.(GROUP OF PHONIES).
Good One!
I like that Frank.... Group Of Phonies...
I like that one, too. You know by the sacred rules of the Mormon church, Romney's lies (which get bigger and bigger) make him not just a liar, but a damned liar.
I sincerely hope there is justice in the hereafter; there sure isn't any here!
What is cantor talking about the low income are the people who were the middle income because of the mess from the previous admistration, they are paying for social security taxes and medicare taxes and cantor wants to keep taxing low income and the middle income and let the high income pay less taxes. What a jerk!India, I think food stamp qualifications vary somewhat by state. When I applied in OR, we made $400/mo. for two people and owned our own tiny home (after 33 yrs of mortgage payments).
We still pay property tax (incl. city/county taxes), insurances, utilities, phone. We own 2 1990s vehicles.
We could have rec'd up to $89 per week in food stamp assistance.
We didn't apply because our state is still so bad off we figured we could squeak by and let others with kids have more funding available.
Auntie Sez, Wow. I am speechless. (My husband would never believe that to be possible, but I am speechless.) What about social security? Is that all you got? How could that happen? (I guess I'm not speechless!)
God bless you. I hope things have improved for you.
Wasn't it cantor that was going to receive quite a bit of money if the budget wasn't passed and USA went into default?
He is UN-American.... He should be deported and never to return.
What country would have him?
True! Lol.
Lots of families have taken family or friends in, donated more to local food share or other charitable organizations, give through their churches, and take in strangers. Can you imagine what this Great Recession would have looked like if we hadn't had food stamps, public assistance, medicaid, school grants? Millions of people in the streets. Many of us elders who heard first hand stories from the folks who lived through the Great Depression have cut wa-a-y back so there's more for the young and greatly elderly. I think people all over the world behave this way- as long as they are able to be so.
Our earlier officials planned to prevent the impacts of a Great Depression should government and banks fail so spectacularly again in the future. Thank goodness they did.
I get angry at the tv propaganda that Americans are lazy or selfish. That's bs. The whole idea behind setting up strong social programs is so the country spreads the cost of good charity across all able households. With a strong basic safety net, our society maintains a respectful minimum standard of living for all, and people could always then donate to favorite causes above and beyond that minimal social guarantee.
Some of these crazy politicians and elites act like money intended for the country's welfare (taxes) is being stolen from them. I think it's a mental disorder of some kind.
Auntie Sez, I think it's called greed. (One of the 7 deadly sins).
I volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic charity, and I can attest to two things: 1. Needy families exist and they are no different from us. and 2, many people are very charitable in this country, to the point where it hurts. I've seen it. Americans are very charitable people. I remember crying my eyes out over the earthquake in Haiti and I gave and millions gave. That is just one example.
The problem is, we need government to provide safety nets. No one person or charity is capable of responding if there is a terrible disaster. They want to starve government and that would have terrible results. Worst of all, they want to do it to keep the wealthy wealthier!
India, giving your kindness and time is great! People who never have to ask for help (or be given help anonymously) do not understand the humiliation which accompanies being in that position. It feels like personal failure whether it is or not.
My daughter had to feed 4 on food stamps last year. She's one of those people who buys a large quantity of food, then uses it up over the course of the month in various mixed dishes to make it feed more than 4 (they're always feeding others less fortunate). A woman in line behind her at the grocery store said loudly enough for her to hear "Look at that. She's buying meat. No wonder they don't have enough money". My daughter turned and said, "These 4 roundsteaks will make part of 20 meals if I'm creative enough. Is there a problem?". Then she burst into tears when she got into the car from the unkindness and shame.
You know better than most how people try to save face in public. I wish more people understood. There is dignity in life, not just work.
Auntie Sez, It is unbelievable how cruel some people can be and how thoughtless. Your daughter is to be commended for what she did. Tell her I never want her to shed a tear over that sort of thing again! I wish there were more charitable people in the world just like her. Her dignity is quite intact. She has nothing to be ashamed of at all.
Tell her to keep her head high. Those people are not her ultimate Judge. Her Judge, as I recall, rather liked charity! LOL In fact, didn't He demand it of us?
Ed, If nearly 50% of the population is defined as poor it is time to up date the definition. Poor in the United States is not poor in most countries it is wealthy. One of the problems as I see it is how Income is defined. Income does not include Welfare, Food Stamps, Housing Subsidies, Transportation Subsidies, Child Care Subsidies, or in many cases Social Security benefits. Take for example a traditional family of three where the wife doesn't have a job and the husband is the sole supporter with an hourly wage of $10.00. The total annual wages equal approximately 20K for the family of three. Add to the 20K benefits of available subsidies and the income increases significantly. Food Stamps at $200.00 a month equates to another $2,400 annually. Subsidized housing provides the family with am apartment that has a value of $1,200.00 a month for only $700.00 a month, another $6,000. Add in free Public Transportation passes, free child care, free cell phone, and the list goes. The bottom line many of the so called poor have more disposable income than their neighbors that earn more money, are not eligible for government subsidies, and actually pay Federal Income Tax. If every penny including Government subsidies was considered income far more people would be paying Income Tax.
Zero is not a "Fair Share", we all benefit from Federal programs and as such we should all be paying for them.
I don't know about your state, but Oregon/HUD requires record of all income regardless of source.
If a person receiving housing assistance earns $20 dollars a week, or $20 per month, it must be reported. Their level of assistance may or may not be reduced by that $20 (or more) amount. It is the same for any other type of assistance. There may be a small amount of additional "income" (I know a woman who receives $40/mo in addition to the rent paid directly to the landlord). She has 3 children. It takes a while to save up for any extra expenditures. If she could save it long enough, she'd no longer qualify for food stamps because of having savings.
Subsidized rent covers the rent of an approved rental unit. The landlord/owner decides whether or not to accept HUD. Area rents average $950/mo. for 2 bedrooms. Our county has thousands of qualifying families with an incredible shortage of income adjusted housing.
What on earth makes anyone think people are "getting rich" off of public assistance? Free cell phones? Where?
Should our actual poor live in cardboard boxes or tin sheds? We have many who do. Is the degradation of our fellow citizens rewarding to our society or beneficial to the nation in some way?
Is that family of 4 in your example earning and paying payroll taxes on 20K (his social security/medicare/unemployment credits ONLY plus state taxes), gas & taxes if there is no public transportation, sales taxes in many states, plus all of the basics for 4- clothing, shoes, school fees, cleaning supplies, personal grooming supplies, medicines not covered by health plan, work-related expenses, etc. really just getting too much benefit from being a member of Club America, still the wealthiest nation in the world? Really?
I am far more outraged that millionaires, billionaires, and gazillionaire companies are shirking their taxes or rigging laws so that they pay nothing, or get a refund than I am that poor, elderly, disabled, or unfortunate people are receiving almost enough to live on for a few years.
I wish the penny-pinchers among us would turn their laser sights on the financial and commercial sectors. We could use the detail-oriented minds for auditing purposes. I get the begrudging thing. I feel the same way about the Ridiculously Wealthy who refuse to pay for anything with their own plentiful money. Who's first in line for gov't subsidies? It isn't the poor. They have no lobbyists. They take what they're offered. IF they qualify.
And you're assuming that everybody is eligible for, and receiving every subsidy, of course.
2ez4u2c, #20 Wish you had the same sense of outrage for the billions of "welfare" which go to the rich and the corporations. How about asking them to pay their fair share?
A long time ago, if memory serves me, you mentioned that your brother was ill. How is he doing? I hope you don't mind my asking.
Sez, The Federal Government doesn't not include any money obtained from federal, state or local social programs as income for the purposes of Income Tax. Like I said, money in the form of Food Stamps is not considered income. This practice essentially means many that do not pay Federal Income Tax have a greater amount of disposable income, money they can spend, than those paying Federal Income Tax. If I for example make 25K a year and pay Federal Income Tax, I generally don't qualify for any assistance at all. On the other hand an individual earning 15K at a minimum wage job, doesn't pay Federal Income Tax and typically qualifies for government assistance. When you deduct Federal Income Tax from my annual income and then add the benefits from social programs available to the guy earning 15K we end up having the same disposable income. The system is not fair as it fails to address individual responsibility and accountability, and it simply transfers wealth from one citizen to another. A person at the lower end of the Middle Class often has less than many at the so called poverty level. Sometimes I actually think the Democrats want every one to be at the poverty level so the Government can control every aspect of our lives. The fact that nearly 50% of the population doesn't pay Federal Income Tax is an strong indication Democrats are succeeding.
India, I do have the same sense of outrage for any Government Policy that creates a welfare state, including pay offs to corporations. Government loans and subsidies to businesses have no place in the free market. Paying farmers not to grow crops is crazy in any one's book. The Free Market provides adequate incentives for innovation, we don't need the government involved. I also believe profits from investments should be considered and taxed as income, just like I think Food Stamps and housing subsidies for the poor should be considered income for tax purposes.
I personally believe the Government must significantly reduce spending and that there should be a flat Federal Income Tax of 10% for every citizen regardless of income or accumulated wealth.
Sorry to be a blog hog; just wanted to add that states are denying qualifying poor people right and left. The Up! With Chris Hayes had an informative segment last weekend on just this aspect of reality in America at
"Working Families Surviving on Welfare" was the segment
Here it is, Auntie,
http://upwithchrishayes.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/15/11212277-working-families-surviving-on-welfare
It is very interesting and informative.
The liberal mantra: " Keep 'em poor and they'll have no choice but to vote for you. "
15 Trillion spent on the war on poverty, and the longest war in history goes on and on. Yeah, right, liberals care about the poor. So much so their policies keep multiple generations poor.
Ah no that would be the GOP. Funny how you tea baggers whine that there are no jobs then in the next breathe say the reason the poor are poor is they don't want to work. But that is the delusional tea bagging republicans for you the GOP say it they repeat it without out a thought in their empty heads. Like I said Mittens is just like them flip flop say whatever sounds good but means nothing.
reagan what we are seeing by dems in this blog is the direct result of lbjs great society. by all accounts is a massive failure as more are in poverty now. jfk would puke at these dems today. dems say they cant find a job in 2 years while illegals find jobs in 2 days. the liberals back govt unions while the biggest liberal of all time fdr stated govt workers shouldnt unionize. who do govt workers negoiate against. lol the taxpayers. its stupid. jfks "ask what you can do for your country" is now obamas " take what you can from your country"
If they can't come up with $100 in taxes, is Cantor going to make them surrender duplicated organs from their bodies? Nothing surprises me coming from this sub-human POC?
Stephanie Palmer, I'll bet that POC does not stand for paragon of charity! LOL
India, Thanks for asking. He is doing as good as he can do. He is a life long drug addict and alcoholic. He is in phase four of liver failure and has had an occasion alcohol relapse. I am not sure how long he really has left, he says the doctor told him eight months, but he will not let me discuss his condition with the doctor. If you know any drug addicts or alcoholics, you know they can be very deceptive. That said we are all doing well and I really appreciate you asking. God Bless.
2ez4u2c, I am sorry to hear that. God bless you and your brother. I sure hope things improve, but it is true about addicts, sometimes they just won't let you help them. That is a shame. I am really sorry.
Please, Ed, report on the drive-by ALEC legislation Bobby Jindal is forcing on Louisianans. Over the last two weeks, Jindal has virtually decapitated public education in Louisiana with voucher legislation; these vouchers are are intended for Christian and "privatized" schools. Yes, education needs help in LA, but this legislation will not help the neediest, who, by the way, will NEVER be accepted into the creme de la creme schools.
Further, last week and this week, Jindal is attacking teachers' pensions, a la Scott Walker; other public servants will be next. He must be stopped! There is now a RECALL BOBBY JINDAL petition circulating around the state. Please help these teachers and other hard working people protect their rights. Get the news out!