Newt Gingrich and the GOP Welfare Dupe
Reader Comments
These comments are mis-directed
First off why is there an issue about people that have money, it's theirs. It's not the governments, it's not for those that don't have it, it's theirs!
On the welfare issue - if the government "takes" monies from the citizens and in turn distributes those monies to people who have done nothing to earn it, it's welfare period.
And John, I love your cute bias comments: "conservatives are scheming", "welfare" shtick, your just another left wing socialist that thinks it's the federal government's responsibility to "take care" of it's citizens. It’s not. How about reading the Constitution?
And for the others, if you want to help these people, if you want to give more money to the government go ahead there is nothing stopping you, write the check.
I COULD BE WRONG...
But aren't we talking about a program to "credit" people with a refund on taxes they haven't paid? I believe a "tax credit" is just that, a credit on income taxes that are do or have been paid. As I understand the Obama "credit" is actually just a transfer payment to those who have not paid or owe taxes. If that is in fact the case, than we are, indeed, talking about welfare checks under disguise.
It is possible that I have misunderstood Obama's plan - I find myself not understanding a lot about him...
HIdden agenda
Take a look at Newt's proposal. There is a self-serving twist to his so called "better" proposal. By changing the tax cut from the way Obama has it, to the way Newt wants it... reducing the 25% tax bracket to 15%... Newt is giving the RICH a tax break. Of course he'll never admit that, and will lead people to think that it's a middle class tax cut. It would actually cut taxes on the rich as well. That tax break wouldn't go to just single workers earning $32,550 to $78,850, and married couples earning $65,100 to $131,450, it would ALSO go to those that made MORE than that.
Everyone making more than $78,850 would get a tax cut of $4,630, and couples making more than $131,450 would get a tax cut of $6,635. Even those making $10,000,000 a year would get that tax cut. Where as Obama's plan will actually target the poor/middle class only. Not give a bunch more money to the already well off.
Newt's plan is entirely about political points and catering to the rich (as well as his own pocket).
Welfare or Self-interest
The Republicans call tax refunds "welfare". However, have they ever considered the cost to the public of doing nothing? Hospitals have either closed their doors or closed their ER's because uninsured people must rely on them for everyday medical treatment, and the cost has overwhelmed unfunded hospitals. Women without childcare cannot work and must rely on foodstamps and welfare, at public expense. Young people without jobs join gangs and create crime which adds to public expense. Untreated sick people spread diseases to even the insured and create a public expense in lost workdays and healthcare costs.
Besides being the Christian thing to do, caring for those who cannot care for themselves is also a matter of self-interest. By the way, where is the vaunted "family values" crowd when caring for "these our brothers" costs them money?
