Why is Rick Perry raising taxes on the middle and the poor and passing the savings to the rich?

[ned]

That is what is called regressive taxes and its nasty and cruel. The rich get to buy more thousand dollar wine bottles while the poor go without food.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/93943/rick-perrys-desire-tax-the-poor

During his presidential campaign announcement speech last week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry lamented the "injustice" that nearly half of all Americans -- the poorest half -- "don't even pay any income tax." But in Texas, the tax burden is disproportionately shouldered by those families living below the poverty line, newly-released data from the Census Bureau show.
While Texas is generally considered a low-tax state since it doesn't impose a personal income tax, a new analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy finds the state's tax laws are actually "redistribute income away from ordinary families and towards the richest Texans."

[gedalyahu]

That is what all politicians and government officials do. They can not create wealth themselves so they steal it through "taxes" and give it to their closest friends.

[jabin20]

The same reason and concept is why is the elderly who are poor and our WWII vets who made our nation the way it is now being robed of there money that they put in during the time of WW II in which they have earned. Why do the poor get picked on period. Would it be fashionably correct if the rich picked on the rich? Even if Rick Perry is doing that now, He would not be president. Obama is doing a good job of that. He's just a clone. He would not make it.

[achimelech51]

I would like to see the actual numbers on that one. I have seen MANY instances where the "poor" get insanely large tax refunds. I'm talking $6000 - $8000!

It is also a proven fact that the top 1% of earners pay 50% of the taxes in this nation. That is a pretty significant difference as well. We have 40 million employed people who have a zero tax burden!

Think again on what you consider "fair".

The Warlock

[calin]

I am no fan of Perry but this is utter b.s. and more of the whiny mantra from the left about the poor when it is a cold hard fact that the Democrats and the anointed one are filthy rich off the taxpayer back and they engage in some of the worst crony capitalism there is. But acknowledging that would mess up the tempo of your whining right? Stupid people to convince, basements to flood.

[hewlett]

First, never post an op-ed piece (and everything in the "New Republic" is an op-ed piece) as a source.

We tried to warn you that Obama care would kill jobs, but no, you wouldn't listen. Now prepare to be completely out of power for the foreseeable future.

To quote Bill Clinton, "Its the economy stupid".

Read it and weep,

[gervaso81]

Right now you need to put things in context. Perry is seeking to occupy the oval office. Obama is hanging on by his finger nails to stay in it. and as of today, media reports that dems are now urging members of their own party to run against Obama. Who is having a bad hair day based on facts?

Now with that context, your post seems a tad childish.

[choviohoya]

>>digs up Census Bureau data
>>uses it to try and show cause and effect about taxes
>>doesn't realize logic doesn't work that way

So, let me get this straight:

"tax burden is disproportionately shouldered by those families living below the poverty line"

Being below the "poverty line" generally means... YOU AREN'T PAYING TAXES TO BEGIN WITH... so this "news" doesn't make any freakin' sense.

[wilbart]

Everyone should pay some taxes.

The 50% that are served by the federal government but pay nothing should not be able to keep voting themselves more of other people's money

As Obama says "they have no skin in the game"

[curney13]

Everyone should pay some taxes.

The 50% that are served by the federal government but pay nothing should not be able to keep voting themselves more of other people's money

As Obama says "they have no skin in the game"

Republican policy, make the rich richer and the poorer poorer