The unsavory task of explaining why America apparently can't afford to help the unemployed but can afford tax cuts for the rich fell to Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) on Sunday. Full Story »
Posted by Chris Finnie
This opinion piece is poor journalism. The argument over the extension of unemployment benefits is whether to use unexpended funds from the failed stimulus to cover it. The author does not understand economics: he does not know the difference between tax rate cuts (which the Republicans support) and tax cuts (which the government cannot do). He does not know that the tax rate cuts under Bush increased the percentage of income taxes paid by the wealthiest 10% and dropped the share paid by the lower 50% very close to 0. He does not know that the tax rate increases planned for 2011 will hit those with lower incomes hardest.
