In 2003, the George W. Bush Tax Bill was passed by both houses of Congress. The deal was this: A small tax break for the middle-class (i.e. working class), and a huge tax restructure for the millionaires and billionaires. The argument was, and it made some sense, that the very rich would take this extra money, retool their factories, remarket their products, and help start a whole bunch of new jobs. This all occurred six years before Barack Obama took office. So we have to ask the question … what happened to the money, and what happened to the jobs it was supposed to bring?
We know it made the profit picture better for some corporations. We know that some corporate executives got tremendously large bonuses, and we know many of the new jobs were scattered all over the world. Not here in the good old USA.
Now, the same tax bill is being put up for a re-do before Congress. The argument is the same as 2003. Do not tax the very rich because they need the money to have new start-ups and to hire new people. Isn’t this the same argument we heard in 2003? Again, it begs the question … where are the new jobs?
In the meantime, the country is hard-strapped for money and the very rich have put a lot of their money into off-shore banks and programs that are dodging the tax man.
America has a Constitution that in part was put together so the government could tax the citizens and take care of their fiscal responsibilities. It isn't right, and it is hurting the country, that the richest among us are not carrying their fair share of tax responsibility.
Wake up, America, before it’s too late to save this country.
Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.
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RONN MOTT: Politics and Taxes
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I stepped back in time last week when I visited the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana.
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RONN MOTT: Pyle museum in Dana good way to study WWII
I stepped back in time last week when I visited the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
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Great work by Duke employees
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
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Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
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RONN MOTT: Ernie Pyle
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