The big BIG **BIG** Lie: "Nobody wants their taxes raised."

[Stinky The Clown]

First off, that statement is nearly 100% true. Nobody *wants* their taxes raised. Many reasonable middle class people understand, and can tolerate, a fair increase in their taxes if it is justified. Again, no one *wants* that, but many would understand it.

Even that, however, is beside the point.

People who use that phrase so glibly make it seem as if the people to whom they're addressing the statement are little people. You and me.

They're not.

The people who might see their taxes raised are the ones who have been skating along paying essentially nothing while making no less than a quarter million a year in income. Not net worth. Income. Every year. We're talking about the one percenters. And among them, one percent, maybe, are the billionaires, who make obscene amounts and pay little or nothing.

So to say "no one wants their taxes raised" is to set up this false alliance between "them" and everyone else.



And this lie has been working for generations.

[gateley]

1. I KNOW! And I get so frustrated that our guys don't make the

distinction every time they open their mouths. Aaaaargh!

[Stinky The Clown]

2. See, here's the thing . . . .

I believe our guys know this as well as you and I know this. They may be a lot of things, but they're not stupid. So that begs the question: "why do they not make the distinction?" And then, when you ponder that, you reach a very ugly conclusion. Upon reaching that conclusion, it is time to decide if, when passing the graveyard, you wish to whistle or scream.

[gateley]

5. I think they make the same mistake many of here on DU make --

they assume everybody KNOWS what they do, everybody understands these distinctions because they/we do.

This was made clear to me when, after many of us were up in arms about the Health Care changes, I think it was Gibbs who sounded incredulous. What? He made significant health care changes for the first time in years, he achieved more than any other President has been able to do, he did what he promised.

So they feel a great sense of accomplishment, we're stunned that it wasn't more.

They're all in their bubble and don't realize what the masses are really hearing.

IMO, natch. :7

[Ilsa]

3. Spending a tax increase wisely is part of the issue.

People are tired of seeing money wasted.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Define your terms

What is spent wrongly? What is spent wisely?

Seems to me that's the essence of the difference between (actual) Democrats and repubicans. (actual) Democrats favor the good of society. repubicans favor wars and the good of the few.