For the GOP, even tax cuts are losing some of their appeal

July 5, 2006

The one issue that’s supposed to always work for the Republicans isn’t quite packing the same punch this year.

Support for [tag]tax cuts[/tag] — a signature campaign issue for congressional [tag]Republicans[/tag] — is waning on Capitol Hill, with the GOP-led Congress reaching its Independence Day recess with no tax-trimming victories to tout in home districts. […]

Some lawmakers said their constituents, who once clamored for tax cuts, have recently begun quizzing them about the deficit and questioning whether the tax cuts were doing more for wealthier Americans than the middle class.

The Globe quoted Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who is hardly a moderate on [tag]fiscal[/tag] issues, saying that his constituents have begun to demand answers about the country’s fiscal shape. “They are asking the question — how did you let this get out of control?” Foley said. (The article didn’t mention how, exactly, Foley tries to answer that question.)

How bad is it for the GOP? Brian Riedl, a budget analyst with the Heritage Foundation, said, “[U]nfortunately, even [tag]Republicans[/tag] are starting to support [tag]tax increases[/tag].”

Republicans had better hope there are a lot of Americans worried about gay marriage and flag burning — because that’s just about all they have left.

Has anyone else noticed how consistently wrong we in the liberal blogosphere have been whenever actual people have voted? Whether voters or congress people, they never vote the way we predict. We better win some seats in November or I’m going to suspect that we’re living in a fantasy political world.

  • ***Republicans had better hope there are a lot of Americans worried about gay marriage and flag burning — because that’s just about all they have left.***
    CB

    That’s like the passengers of the Titanic hoping that they have lots of wooden deck-chairs left aboard—because the last of the lifeboats just pulled away. Personally, I’m waiting to see just how these inept morons—masquerading as a political party—can manage to keep their electoral hopes alive in the face of such an oncoming doom. Will Diebold come to their rescue, or is there an as-yet-undreamt-of scenario with which they hope to forestall the midterms? It’s an eerie repeat of Hitler in his bunker, pronouncing the imminent fielding of his shiny new wonder-weapons, capable of driving back all enemies, and assuring final victory for the Reich….

  • “[Constituents are] questioning whether the tax cuts were doing more for wealthier Americans than the middle class.”

    Which just goes to show how dense Republican voters are. They don’t KNOW this already?

    I like Dale’s point. When I read about the Lieberman/Lamont primary battle, I suspect we are all going to get it wrong also.

  • “They are asking the question — how did you let this get out of control?”

    Why are Democrats too stupid to beat the Republicans on this issue? The entire GOP philosophy is predicated on Voodoo Economics; they literally believe in a theory of taxation that has no empirical evidence to support it. Or at least they claim to. It is long past time to challenge them on it.

    Here is a very simple question: If we are currently running a budget deficit, should taxes be raised or lowered to close the deficit?

    A sane person would say raise taxes. According to supply-siders, the answer is lower taxes because it will spur economic growth and result in increased revenue. Raising taxes will stall the economy and result in lower revenues.

    Whenever ANY Republican so much as hints that we cannot “afford” tax cuts or admits that tax increases are necessary, Democrats should be jumping all over it and making them admit that supply-side economics is nothing but snake oil.

  • space – You live in a rational world that has no place in politics.

    People love to vote for politicians who promise no pain, lots of gain.

  • “constituents have begun to demand answers about the country’s fiscal shape”

    I’m surprised they noticed, and I strongly doubt many of them have. Between working two-plus jobs just to keep above water – and with the important distractions of Survivor, 24, American Idol, the World Cup, and several kidnapped blondes, not to mention gay marriage and the immigration “problem” and Tom Cruise – there’s not much time for noticing that the Bush Crime Family has sold this nation lock, stock and barrel (children and grandchildren) to the Chinese.

    Of course, in a civilized society there would be an opposition party to point that out to them.

    The Romans got by promising bread and circuses. The GOP just promises circuses (plus a little fear for good measure). Too bad.

  • Well, if all else fails they can always attack the media.

    Oh, wait, they’re doing that now. Never mind.

  • Brian Riedl, a budget analyst with the Heritage Foundation, said, “[U]nfortunately, even Republicans are starting to support tax increases.”

    He’s a budget analyst and he thinks support of tax increases is Unfortunate?

    Do the Republican’ts want systemic deficits for FOREVER? Are they getting their kickbacks for selling America to Communist China?

    Fricking morons!

  • Dems could appeal to the WalMart crowd via the slogan that the WM shoppers are familiar with:
    “Roll back… the tax cuts to the rich”

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