Republicans protect the mega-rich on taxes

If I were a Republican retiree receiving Social Security and Medicare, I’d be pretty upset with my party. For weeks, Republican congressmen have fought to prevent a small increase in tax rates for the wealthiest 2 percent of our society to help reduce our ballooning deficit.

The congressmen argue that the Democrats should agree to further big cuts in Medicare and Social Security programs instead. Protecting the lifeline for seniors of modest means isn’t the Republicans’ job. I guess they think all the “free-loaders” relying on Social Security and Medicare are Democrats. Those making $250,000 are making four times the national median income. Many people making over $250,000 do not object to paying 3 percent or 4 percent more in taxes to help reduce the deficit. Then why the rabid resistance by Republican congressmen to put a tax increase for the wealthy on the table? The pledge Republicans made to Grover Norquist not to raise taxes provides some clues. Norquist’s “Americans for Tax Reform” is funded by a group of multi-billionaires, including the petro-billionaire Koch brothers. All are big Republican campaign contributors. A tax increase on their bloated incomes represents some serious money. They are the people that Republican congressmen are so zealously protecting from a tax increase. If I hadn’t already changed parties, this would be all the convincing I’d need.