Cantor Suggests Raising Taxes On The Poor: ‘You’ve Got To Discuss That Issue’

[Galraedia]

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) revived one of the GOP’s favorite talking points this morning, telling attendees at a Politico-sponsored breakfast event that it was imperative that Congress address the “problem” that “more than 45 percent” of Americans aren’t paying income taxes.

The GOP has repeatedly made the claim that the poorest Americans need more “skin in the game.” Today, response to a question by ABC’s Jon Karl, Cantor made it clear that Republicans are interested in raising taxes on the poor while lowering tax rates for everyone else as part of any comprehensive tax reform plan:

CANTOR: We also know that over 45 percent of the people in this country don’t pay income taxes at all, and we have to question whether that’s fair. And should we broaden the base in a way that we can lower the rates for everybody that pays taxes.

KARL: Just wondering, what do you do about that? Are you saying we need to have a tax increase on the 45 percent who right now pay no federal income tax?

CANTOR: I’m saying that, just in a macro way of looking at it, you’ve got to discuss that issue. … How do you deal with a shrinking pie and number of people and entities that support the operations of government, and how do you go about continuing to milk them more, if that’s what some want to do, but preserve their ability to provide the growth engine? … 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.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/04/19/467476/cantor-raise-taxes-on-poor/

[EndlessMaze]

1. Cantor is a turd.

This is a test as to whether I have finally gotten back onto DU. Cantor is a turd!

[Lil Missy]

2. I don't believe that 45% pay no taxes at all. n/t

[ErikJ]

8. Trickery-45% pay no Fed Income tax.

But all pay their SS/Medicare payroll taxes which is used to generally fund the govt just like the income tax.

And then there are local and state taxes the Repubs seem to forget about.

[dkf]

10. They don't fund the general fund any more. That stopped a few years ago.

[Art_from_Ark]

16. Yup, in addition to income taxes, there are sales taxes, and gasoline taxes,

and property taxes that poor people have to pay regardless of their income.

[EndlessMaze]

3. Turd cANTOR

What does turd Cantor propose? Taxing the remaining 45% who are little kids, folks with disabliities, people who have lost their jobs and are about to fall into oblivion, the elderly, and some more, so that the 1% get more tax cuts. What a turd.

[EndlessMaze]

4. I am sick and tired of Cantor and his ilk

Shrinking pie my eye.

[ErikJ]

5. Jefferson would scold Cantor

As Jefferson said in a 1785 letter to James Madison, "Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise."

As Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1784, "Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual." And, as earlier noted, as wealth rises, so should taxes -- "geometrically."

[appleannie1]

6. That means people living on Social Security and anyone making min wage.

They have no shame.

[dkf]

11. No that means families who make $50,000 with enough kids to wipe out their federal income tax.

[stillwaiting]

13. No that means BOTH groups b/c Republicans would LOVE to ensure those on min wage pay fed inc tax.

It doesn't matter to most Republicans that those making minimum wage are not being paid enough to meet their living expenses. It's an opportunity to further cut taxes on the wealthy (which they are currently proposing) while also raising taxes on the poor (which they are currently proposing). It's what Republicans/conservatives do.

If current trends over the past 3 or 4 decades continue in cost of living increases and average yearly pay raises then in another generation there may be 60% of Americans that don't pay any federal income tax because they are not being paid above subsistence levels. If the top 1% continue to hoard all of the wage increases, income, and wealth then they should pay the overwhelming bulk of our taxes.

Making demands for wage slaves to pay federal income taxes is downright disgusting at this point in our nation's history because wage slaves work their asses off and aren't even being paid enough to make ends meet (much less get ahead in this rotten country).

[dkf]

21. I am not in favor of those at the bottom paying anything but a token amount in income taxes.

Maybe a dollar.

But that would make everyone a contributor to the general fund. Everyone needs to feel like they should have a say in how general funds are spent.

[jwirr]

7. Okay we will have a discussion: NO (end of discussion).

[WhoIsNumberNone]

9. Why is anybody listening to this treasonous prick?

The pie isn't shrinking Cancer- you've just given all of it to the top 1%. Put some of that back into circulation and we'll talk about widening the tax base.

Actually, if we're going to have that conversation, I'd rather have it with someone who isn't a traitor to his country. This means you, Cancer.

[dkf]

12. We have to raise taxes on everyone or stop spending so much or both.

Forget cutting taxes. We can't afford it.

[newspeak]

19. "yes, forget cutting taxes, we can't afford it"

however, the repugs are waging a war on the working poor. And, the corporations have a captive work force, are screwing that workforce. With more wealth, it's supposed to be more is asked of them, not less. And, since little boot's obscene tax cuts for the wealthy, it has not created decent jobs for americans, it's just allowed more of a disparity between the have mores and the rest of us.

It is the working poor who wind up getting screwed more and having to dish out more. If they even get a loan, it's usually with a higher interest rate; while the wealthy who can afford it get all of the perks.

Corporations get government subsidies, government contracts, and government military assistance for grabbing resources or getting rid of pesky leaders interested in the well being of their own people over the corporation. It's not the "poor" put on wealthy. Every damn one of them need to walk in the shoes of the working poor and see if they can survive.

Increasing taxes on those who are already suffering is just plain morally wrong. Cantor is nothing but a heartless, sociopathic idiot! Rescind little boot's stupid tax cuts!!!!

[erpowers]

14. That's Just Ridiculous

The people that Cantor is talking about do not make enough money to pay federal income taxes. Those individuals usually make about $0-$25,000 or $30,000.

[erpowers]

15. Democrats Need To Make That An Ad and Run On It

The Democrats should turn Cantors statement into an ad and then use the ad to show the difference between President Obama and the Republicans. People should be informed yet again that the Republican mantra that taxes should not be raised only applies to the wealthy. It was a losing issue for the Republicans a few months ago and it will most likely be a losing issue for them now.

[Johonny]

17. The problem with poor people is they still have some skin

[SOS]

18. They just raised taxes on people earning under $20K

Now Cantor wants to do it again?

When will Exxon and GE be asked to pay more than $0 in federal tax?

[truebrit71]

20. Whilst we're still subsidizing Big Oil? I think Cantor is out of his tiny, tiny mind...

...