Is tax reform the GOP’s Obamacare?

by | Nov 14, 2017 | 2018 elections, Editor's Blog, Obamacare, Tax Reform | 4 comments

The wave that washed Democrats into office in 2006 began in September 2005. George W. Bush’s botched response to Katrina began a year-long series of scandals and missteps that left the GOP on the defensive and lacking a coherent message. Like today, they controlled both Houses of Congress as well as the presidency. They had nowhere to hide.

This year is starting to have a similar feel. The wheels are coming off the machine. Republicans failed to deliver on their signature campaign promise to repeal Obamacare. The president’s actions leave more Americans feeling uncertain about their future despite a relatively strong economy. Now, the party is divided over whether or not to back a US Senate candidate who quite clearly pursued sexual relationships with teenaged girls when he was in his 30s.

Like the 2006 wave, the 2010 wave that gave Republicans control of the US House began more than a year before that election. People unrealistically expected quick relief from the worst recession in 70 years. Instead of focusing on their economic anxiety, President Obama pushed through an imperfect healthcare reform package that was demonized by Republicans as socialized medicine that would send us into an even greater recession. It didn’t but the program was just theoretical in November 2010 and fear of the unknown cost Democrats across the country their seats.

Tax reform may prove to be Republicans’ Obamacare. The GOP promises that their efforts will put more money in the pockets of middle class families and create massive economic growth. True or not, we won’t see any of that growth before the election next year and most analysts indicate that tax benefits to middle class will be mediocre and many households with incomes of $70,000 to $200,000 will actually pay more. The one group that will certainly benefit from tax reform is the one group that never really felt the impact of the Great Recession—the very rich.

Other problems just add to the GOP woes. It’s becoming increasing clear that members of Trump’s campaign team worked with the Russians during the 2016 race, even if Trump didn’t know about it (which is hard to believe). His son yesterday admitted to communicating with Wikileaks throughout the campaign and beyond. Kim Jung-Un of North Korea appears undeterred by Trump’s threatening and insulting tweets, leaving Asia increasingly unsettled.

A lot can happen in a year but Republicans have failed to capitalize on their power. Instead, they’ve spent time squabbling among themselves. The one piece of significant legislation that they might pass, tax reform, will leave people with as many questions as answers. They’re apparently counting Democrats’ dysfunction and internal strife to carry them to victory next year. That may work out, but they’ve sure squandered a hell of an opportunity.

4 Comments

  1. ebrun

    You underestimate the benefits of the GOP tax plan. The lower tax bracket rates and the increased standard deduction will have the immediate result of less withholding for income taxes and thus an increase in every employee’s paycheck. And the increase in the standard deduction to $24k for married couples coupled with an increase in the child tax credit will mean millions of middle class families will no longer need to itemize deductions and thus no longer need the services of their CPA or tax preparer.

  2. Greg Tillman

    An NRA ad? Really ?

  3. feedupvoter

    Hillary will keep giving us information for the next year.

    • The Analyst

      What??

      Hillary Clinton? Not a player. Never been demonstrated to have done anything really wrong wen she was a player other than being a Big Money Democrat, you know, sort of Republican Lite. Irksome to progressives like myself. Shep Smith, probably the guy I trust at all on Faux Noise tossed a bucket of cold urine on that whole Uranium One nonsense. Previous to that an inaccurate realtime assessment of the motives of bad actors does not equal a crime, a.k.a. BenGazi (sic). Although I continue to hold a Republican’t congress responsible for NOT FUNDING adequate embassy protection, the CAUSE of our losses.
      I think based on her assorted years of experience in different government roles we would have enjoyed at least 4 years of COMPETENCE. Kee-rist it’s been great fodder for late-night comedians but we’re paying a terrible price.

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