Would love to see government out of the housing business though. Get rid of all deductions having to do with home ownership. Homes would probably drop at least 10%. Getting all the flippers, REITs, rental flippers, and speculators out too with all their special tax code would be nice too. If you can afford to sell multi-million dollar apartment complexes back and forth between your friends, there's no way the public should be helping that happen through the tax code.
6
Pride cometh before the fall.
Democrats ran on a superiority complex vs. Trump and his deplorables.
Sure the tax bill is a rip off, as so well eviscerated by the Board, but they never explained the real basis for the debacle.
A "Pro-Life" Suppossedly christrian administration, will let over 8 million people be sick, including children and women carrying babies, not have health insurance, our youth will die of illnesses undiagnosed, and our elderly will die early and lose there homes while the top lines there pockets with cash. Lying, cheating and taking away our freedoms ..health is a liberty...as promised in our constitution...Hippocrates...as this country was built on..give us your poor, your forsaken, maybe the President should read the tablets on the Statue of Liberty..and bone up on the constitution ..the American people as well before this country which seems this administration is headed toward communism..not a FREE country but a dictarship.
14
Republican leaders have no principles, just greed.
17
It's clear that little separates the US from other countries we call 'corrupt.' with this 'income transfer bill.'
7
Any intelligent person who can view the financial health of this country beyond a nanosecond should be sick and scared about this robbery. Bernie Sanders described it as highway robbery in broad daylight.
I am dumbfounded each and every day that Trump and the GOP robber barons have control of this country and are literally robbing everyone but the 1% donors to the GOP- Grand Old Pedophiles- yes, it still fits since they went all in for Roy Moore.
Thanks for nothing Trump voters. You will be the biggest losers from Trump but are too ignorant to even know you've been conned.
Let us know how unhappy you are when your entitlements get ripped out from under you. I assume you will blame Obama and Hillary Clinton before blaming the Liar in Chief.
I also blame all the Obama voters that couldn't be bothered to vote in 2016 because HRC wasn't "pure" enough- happy now?
17
I love how they again got around giving the pass break to people who actually work for a living. If your a sole proprietor beating the pavement as a contractor (pass thru income is taxed at the individual rate) you'll be banned from taking this new deduction. However, if you are just investing money left to you from a couple generations ago you get all the spoils of these tax breaks at every level..... Well done GOP, making rich "merikans" richer, and convincing the useful idiots who got them there that a 2% tax increase at the lowest rate is somehow a great tax break. The base that keeps voting against it's better interests for this nonsense never ceases to amaze.
10
Listening to the sleazy snake oil salesman from Texas, Kevin Brady, never has there been a more slimy and repulsive crook in Washington, nothing more than a yes man for the Republican Donors that want to fill their pockets with the tax payers money.
Fairness is only for suckers, in the Republican world, they have no shame in raping the American working middle class.
16
Has there ever been a better snake-oil salesman than the POTUS ?
13
Listening to Ryan and a horde of tv sycophants posing as analysts misuse statistics, revenues, taxes on a post card, deficits will decrease with huuuuge growth, job growth rocketin, wage increases for workers , you'd think they are Alice in Wonderland believers.
Couple the above with the president bellowing how much this tax reform is costing him while the great, very great, majority goes to the 1% is ignored at best and lied about at worst.
Then pay back day- cuts to social security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps(SNAP), and can you say goodbye CHIPs? Forget money for roads, trains, bridges, housing education, medical research and on and on. Why? We have to balance the budget and fund DEFENSE.
When the Republicans try to extend those temporary middle class tax cuts more red ink hits and a bigger blood bath for programs that aid the other 90% will be shredded like paper destined for the bin.
Yes, the stock market loves the cutting of regulations, tax cuts for rich and corporations, but the market is not the economy. Remember the good old days of 07-08. What could go wrong?
20
Our president has indeed drained the swamp. Now he and all his duplicitous self-serving buddies can slither out and Make America Great Again—for their ilk, of course. Ah, yes. Just like the good old Robber Barons of yore. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy—just in time for Christmas.
5
Republicans and the corporate lobbyists that own them are behaving like pigs at the feeding trough.
8
Ok America, when do you become angry enough to go into the streets, into the buildings of government and throw these miscreants into the street?
When???
12
Thieves
4
So when are we going to toss the bums out? Before the next election, I hope. Pitchfork or ballot box, whichever comes first (hopefully the former):
6
No money for schools, or Medicare, or Social Security, or infrastructure, or CHIP, or environmental protection, or a modern energy grid...BUT...
TRILLIONS for the already ridiculously filthy rich
But her EMAILS..............
9
Quote NYT: The biggest winners would be people like Mr. Trump, his family and similarly advantaged developers who make tens or hundreds of millions of dollars every year on swanky office towers and luxurious apartment buildings.
It will, also, benefit super wealthy Slum-Lords like son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump.
7
I am sure that there are deserving businesses that will benefit from this bill and good luck to them. However, this break is being bought with huge profits for the super-rich, a big increase in the nation's debt, a self-serving reduction for the likes of Trump, a net loss for urban dwellers, the loss of health coverage for 13 million people and a sure to come cut in social services.
This is the much-desired "victory" that Republicans have been hankering for.
Just in time to make common people feel like Bob Cratchit.
7
You're right on saying TRump and Corker will benefit from this provision, but as a tax attorney representing hundred of small businesses that have LLC's that won real estate leased to their businesses, they would benefit as well. I am in favor of this provision. I suppose they could have passed a cutoff for LLC's owning more than a certain dollar amount ($2,000,000 would be my choice), but you can't deny it will be helpful to many small businesses as well.
It's just amazing how Republicans said a single women making $40,000 a year would see a tax credit. That means a single woman making over $20.00 an hour would see this credit and how many women are making this per hour wage in red states. Revolution!
6
History will look back upon the Republican party of the early 21st century in the same way we now look back upon the Native American / American ("Know Nothing") Party. A complete travesty and a disgrace. Sad to say, the judgment of history will do nothing to help the millions of people who will suffer because of the rampant injustice of this tax bill.
8
Please don’t adopt the language of totalitarianism by using “fake news” when you mean lies. Tyrants worldwide are using that term. Stop feeding the beasts.
3
Seems like there is nothing that can be done but open up our bank accounts and send the money to Trump and his ilk. Every time I hear one of these liars profess the great benefits of this scam for the middle class I want to wretch. I hate these traitors.
7
Great bill for us high earners. Preserves favorable treatment of carried interest, gives us a new deduction on pass-through income and reduces the top rate while raising the threshold for the top bracket. Equity investments way up because of corporate tax deduction. Maybe a small hit on SALT deductions, but those were generally disallowed by AMT anyway. All in all, it's a great bill.
I plan to sock the savings into my investment accounts in the coming years and then head off to a country with more benefits and a lower deficit for retirement. Have fun everyone.
4
If if Americans had a real Supreme Court, rather than the partisan travesty that is a bad joke on justice, it should have been possible for citizens to have petitioned against the Congress to prevent this tax heist without a single hearing. This is the most blatant piece of highway robbery imaginable!
16
If we had a nonpartisan Supreme Court, Citizens United would have gone down in flames, and our democratic process would not be up for sale, at least not in so wholesale a fashion.
13
There is nothing about this "Corporate Welfare Plan" that is a reform. This is basically a "Corporate and Wealthy Donors Welfare Plan and payback", nothing more and nothing less.
The top 1% in this country have been the beneficiaries of tax breaks going back to Bush, during the time of paying for a two front war and it drove the deficits up and up, all this being done by picking the pockets of the Middle Class, Elderly, Working Poor to offset the tax breaks back then, and nothing has really changed.
We thought there still were some members of integrity like Susan Collins of Maine, and Bob Corker of Tennessee, they were both bought off and showed they bribes don't have to be under the table......the "CORKER KICKBACK PROVISION" is a blatant pay-off to Bob Corker and Donald Trump, as well as his family, a disgraceful exhibition of greed.
Susan Collins fell for a sucker's deal that is not guaranteed in stone, and showed herself to naïve, but her constituents in Maine will pay a heavy price when their ACA is cut.
I listened to that disgusting snake oil salesman from Texas, Kevin Brady, wouldn't even let anyone this morning on Morning Joe finish asking their questions, before he gave a lot of BS for his answer and like a typical slim politician, never answered any questions.
14
lie, lie, repeat: it works very
well with 35% of voters...
10
My boss told once he got tax cut, he would immediately invest in real estate property for gaining rent substantially. I asked him why don’t you invest business or raise wage for your employees. He just laughed and said nothing.it Made me like a dummy.
11
Any chance Mr Mueller can take a glance at how Corker flipped his vote? He might find something.
Despicable bribery of a public official, if you ask me.
Whatever happened to so called appearance of impropriety?
Shameless and wicked.
14
Corker always intended to vote for the tax giveaway. he was just posturing. Soome insecure small men seem to need to do that a great deal to make up for their various shortcomings.
2
Call this bill Republican corruption in the form of legislation. That's what it is. The kickback to real estate developers like Trump and Corker (whose vote the desperately needed) is just that—a way for them to enrich themselv s at the expense of the nation. The rest of the bill is a gift to Tepublicsn donors. These cynical and heartless politicians will then turn around and connect with their working class base via thinly veiled racism. Corruption is the name of this tax bill. Weak and almost sweet metaphors like “feathering their nests” do a disservice to getting out the truth.
4
Well Corker has showed himself to be just another GOP fraud. He stuck around long enough in Congress to make sure his bank account was properly padded.
It will take some doing, but rest assured Mr. Corker, when the Democrats are back in power, you and the rest of the GOP trolls better be ready to pay the American public back. We may not be able to undo your corporate tax cuts, but many of us will be pushing for tax increases on the personal taxes of people just like you.
13
And again, let us abandon the pretense that we have a government of the people and by the people. We have a dictatorship managed by a super-rich oligarchy including the likes of the Koch brothers who own and control the Republican Party. The ignorant and unstable Trump is merely a clown show distraction. There is no legislative process, there are only orders from on high in the GOP. This is not a tax bill, it is a plan to steal from the poor to give to the rich while destroying healthcare, the environment, infrastructure and the middle class. As long as we pretend that "Congress" is functional as a representative body we will continue to maintain the pretense that the US is a democracy. It is not.
16
This is the party that mocked President Obama when he teared up talking about the 20 children slaughtered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. A tax bill that benefits the uber wealthy, increases taxes on the poor and threatens the social safety net is them on a good day. Tonight, they'll drink the bubbly tears of widows and orphans.
14
written by lobbyists for the upper 1 per cent.
we are no longer a representative public
if you are not mad, you are not looking close enough
8
The elected congressional stooges have earned their keep. The rich may have to hire consultants to instruct them on how to spend all that money on lavish gifts for themselves and their deserving family members.
A fraction of the giveaway to the rich could help patch the crumbling infrastructure and provide more medical care to the remaining uninsured.
Tax return on a postcard? Send a postcard to your Republican senator and congressman and tell them where they can shove it.
7
So Senator Corker was against it before he was for it. Ah, the power of the kickback.
9
Here is some data on Trump’s payment of taxes, the Washington Post reported just a few days ago:
1975: $18,714 in federal income taxes paid.
1976: $10,843 in federal income taxes paid.
1977: $42,386 in federal income taxes paid.
1978: No federal income taxes paid.
1979: No federal income taxes paid.
1984: Probably no federal income taxes paid.
1991: Little to no federal income taxes paid.
1993: No federal income taxes paid.
2005: $38 million in taxes paid, which we know because of a filing leaked to reporter David Cay Johnston. Trump also had a $100 million write-off.
This is the guy who is still trying to put Hillary Clinton in jail?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/12/19/trump-may-be-...
10
Look, I can channel Donald Trump: "the tax bill "is going to cost me a fortune, this thing -- believe me. Believe me, this is not good for me.""
3
With his tax savings, Mr. Bonespur will be able to hire more workers for his resorts, undoubtedly workers with H-1B visas. Good news for America. He will be able to ship them back to wherever, unpaid, keeping his money at home, where he can help support fast food workers earning minimum wages.
3
Republican law makers no longer care about being voted out of office, they have new careers now, becoming multimillionaires and billionaires and counting their money. I guess this is the end of the republic and time for another revolution. It was a good run. We People have work to do?
7
The best argument against this hideous bill, written by lobbyists, self interested pols and the delusional Paul Ryan, a faux economist, was given by Bruce Bartlett, who worked in both the Reagan and GW Bush Administrations, to wit, there is absolutely no reason other than political malfeasance for it to exist, particularly in the sweeping, cobbled together, vindictive, inhumane and anachronistic form it has taken.
Nor is there the slightest bit of evidence that would lead one to genuinely believe it will have the promised results and many reasons to believe that in the end the negative consequences down the road will far outweigh whatever small bump may occur as the greediest and not coincidentally some of the already richest people add to their Midas crypts.
To me the most telling part of the bill is in lieu of the deficit they are creating and the harm they are doing to the middle class, changing an Estate Tax that affects a teensy weensy proportion of the population is quite simply, grotesque. The Republicans might have jerseys made advertising which billionaire cranks they belong to, Kochs or Mercers?
8
You are missing the point. The proven results are that Corker and Trump (and their donors) get huge tax breaks.
That is the point
2
The Republican Congress’ tax bill is sickening but hardly surprising. The GOP has been a morally bankrupt party ever since Mitch McConnell declared publicly that he would simply block anything that Obama and Democrats tried to do. A strategy of making government ineffective so they can lay claim to power. Complete moral bankruptcy.
9
So now, if the market has already priced in this bill, it will top out and decline.
4
Pass-through businesses already benefit from not having double-taxation on the earnings they distribute to their owners, which is why they've been a popular vehicle for private businesses from your local small business to hedge funds and private equity funds. While some owners of pass-though entities may reinvest their tax savings in ways that create jobs and/or grow the economy, most won't. It's just another giveaway to the wealthiest.
There are other potential effects of the tax bill that haven't been studied in depth yet, but it's potentially concerning that the increase in taxes on a large part of the population as well as the loss of state, local and property tax deductions, could push down real estate prices in many areas. How much do prices have to be pushed downward before homes in these areas are underwater, and we're dealing with another mortgage crisis, and subsequent financial crisis?
7
Well, I understand why Nancy Pelosi wanted the mortgage interest deduction threshold raised back to $1 million. After all, her 'constituents' in Marin County will suffer mercilessly now that Trump lowered it to $750,000. What was he thinking???
He was thinking that guys like Donald and Lil Bob Corker don't 'own' real estate - their LLC's own real estate and the mortgages that go with it and they can write off all that interest. And in Trump's case, his investors usually hold the mortgages, often in laundered rubles. What was he thinking?
15
But the deductions for real estate moguls are ok?
1
Real estate prices are so high in the Bay Area that a $1M house is more of a small tract home than a mansion and 750k homes are few and far-between. Working families are spending a large part of their income on housing and are happy to have a place to live. Don’t kid yourself- the Republicans know that this provision hurts working and middle class people in California, the same people whose tax money goes to support the less productive red states.
3
The GOP and conservatives really did their job well, making sure that the working class is convinced that publications such as NYT and WaPo are fake news. Now they can make their wildest robber barron dreams come true, having gerrymandered their way to an ironclad electoral advantage. Of course, when it comes time for the nation to pay the piper, the GOP will blame the Dems and wash their hands of the mess they made. But this is just SOP for the GOP; we really ought to be used to it by now.
11
My take: 1. The donor classes envision an automated future where there are few workers to fleece, so fleece them now before 2. The RELE (the Republican Extinction Level Event) occurs when the subject of Social Security and Medicare come up next year.
10
If the STOCK Act was passed to combat insider trading by Congress, how is it possible that Congress is able to write a tax plan that advantages many of their members — specifically speaking of the Corker Kickback. Isn’t this the same concept as insider trading? They have knowingly created a plan that advantages themselves.
8
The ban on Congressional inside trading lasted about six months. Now they can do anything again.
3
I suppose when a poor kid tries to feather his nest by going into a convenience store and taking their money out of the register, or slipping things off the shelf into his pocket, he gets thrown in jail, or if he happens to be the wrong color, faces a high risk of being shot to death outside by police in the chase, even if the police do it nervously because they are afraid he might be about to shoot them because of subconscious fear associated with his color, even if most times the kid or young man, or any age, is unarmed.
Of course we live in a cynical world and of course there are people who will pull out a gun and shoot you, which is what happens when you have a system of exploitation, discrimination, and suppression, then flood it with a massive supply of easy to get fire arms - the oppressors aren't exactly the sharpest spoons in the draw it seems, so it is amazing at how good they are at pilfering every last cent they can get leaving the bill to the bottom 80%.
Different feathers for different birds.
They stink!
11
At some point in time, the crooks that run this country will stumble into another ground war. And the call for patriotism to defend this country will be aimed at young Americans who know they are being swindled by a corrupt congress along with their crooked president. I remember World War II and the Korean War, in which I served. If anyone believes we would willingly serve in the armed services to protect this bunch of crooks, they must be smoking their socks. Never again!
17
They'll settle for civil war.
Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s we Americans often used to arrogantly sneer at many South American and African countries for being what we would call "corrupt."
Oops.
Who's corrupt now.
24
In many conservative circles it appears that being a corrupt member of the Party of Greed is honorable...
2
I strongly agree with the overall message of this piece. However, as a math professor, I must point out one use of numbers here that is unnecessarily misleading. The pass-through deduction costs $414 billion over 10 years. The Children's Heath Insurance Program costs $14 billion per year. That makes the cost per year of the deduction about 2.9 times the cost of the insurance program, not 29 times, as stated.
I understand why politicians frame numbers in exaggerated ways to bolster their case. I expect better of the New York Times. Please, let's try to communicate as clearly as we can.
7
Corporations will spend their windfall on buybacks to boost the value of the stock options their execs are paid in to "align their interests with shareholders." So the market will thrive for a while. The infrastructure bill will be another gift to corporate America, only this time it will be America that's given away, as projects are financed by sweetheart contracts that essentially privatize what used to be public works, and projects that cannot be paid for by user fees, however critical, just won''t get done.
6
I'm a stockholder who thinks managements are cheating their stockholders to stuff their own pockets. There are no good investments anymore: everything is a bubble.
1
Don't get mad.
Next year, get even in the voting booth.
21
There is no way my vote will even matter in 2018.
The quickly infamous "Corker Cornhole". What about hedge fund manager income and the "carried interest" nonsense? Ah, the forgotten man.
10
Without strong government forcing regulations capitalism will die of eating up with on stomach.
Trump and republicans are a toxic mix.
6
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee...presidents, his family and other donors
6
What will be done by the republicans....can be undone!
7
Not if their plans to pack the federal judiciary with stooges are carried out.
1
Nu, so what's new?
With a tip of the hat to Ray Charles:
Them That Got
"That old sayin them that's got are them that gets
Is somethin I can't see
If ya gotta have somethin
Before you can get somethin
How do ya get your first is still a mystery to me
I see folk with long cars and fine clothes
That's why they're called the smarter set
Because they manage to get
When only them that's got supposed to get
And I ain't got nothin yet
Whoah, I tell you all
I ain't found nothing yet.”
8
Highway robbery by the Republican Robber Barons in the Congress. Throw the grifters out, the sooner the better.
10
"Swanky office towers and luxurious residential buildings"? The NYT may reveal its prejudice with such language but the new tax law will apply even to "grimy factories turning out everyday necessities"!
2
I think I will go on a buying strike, a vacation strike, and get back to basics. Corporations are out of hand, literally and figuratively!
9
I was once mugged and this feels like that. I was totally surrounded and powerless to stop the stealing. The GOP congress members are just a higher IQ version of muggers - they know how to stay within the law while stealing way more, and get half of the public to go along with them, for now, or at least long enough to get away with the loot.
13
Yup. But it's fairly easy to stay within the law when you're the ones writing the laws.
1
They make laws to enable themselves to legally steal.
1
And next year we say goodbye to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
And then all the people utilizing tricks and loopholes to hide grandma's assets so the government pays for her nursing home care get turned out into the cold.
8
Yes, let's get those sick grandmas out into the street - the .01% need that money!
12
I wish our votes still counted more than monetary contributions of lobbyists and wealthy people who can buy our government leaders. Couldn't our Supreme Court judges see this coming? Sad.
12
Republicans have a knack for appointing judges with Swiss Cheese brains.
1
Perhaps they did ...
President Trump - show us your taxes (which you said you would do), and prove your claim that this will cost you personally. It isn't true, you know it isn't true, and you continue to lie to the American people.
I weep for our children who will ultimately pay the price for this travesty. Republicans used to have principles that they served, but now it seems they only have donors.
12
What honor?
1
Maybe they'll pull off the Rapture and the plug on everything.
Everyone must VOTE! In upcoming elections voters can remove every single member of congress that voted for this legislation.
Apathy has lead to this greed and slow takeover of our government. It is time to take it back.
We are all looking at you Kentucky (mcconnell) and Texas (cornyn) etc.
16
Until we have 100% publicly financed elections and/or term limits, this nation's voters will always be at the mercy of corrupt politicians. Of course, it's only those corrupt politicians who can vote in such changes, so they'll never happen. And since there are more red states than blue, we can't even look to a constitutional convention to solve this problem. We're witnessing a nation-state imploding -- a star that is burning all its fuel and becoming a red giant just prior to collapsing on itself and becoming a dense, white dwarf. Nice knowing you, America.
11
Vlad Putin knew this country is no more rugged than an incandescent light bulb.
Just in time for the holidays, here's your GOP Greeding Card with a pence for the old woman who lives in a shoe, and tons of gold for old King Trump, who is in his counting house, counting all his money.
10
The Constitution, Senate Ethics Committee and Supreme Court may save the day.
1) Constitution: its preamble states that we the people created the Constitution to establish Justice and promote the General Welfare, among other reasons. Note General Welfare.
"Section 5, Part 2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members..."
2) On to the Senate Ethics Committee, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, Rule 37, part 4:
"4. No Member, officer, or employee shall knowingly use his official position to introduce or aid the progress or passage of legislation, a principal purpose of which is to further only his pecuniary interest, only the pecuniary interest of his immediate family, or only the pecuniary interest of a limited class of persons or enterprises, when he, or his immediate family, or enterprises controlled by them, are members of the affected class."
Each Member who voted for the tax plan is part of "the affected class" Their votes are a clear conflict of interest.
Ethics committees won't now act to enforce this rule, but they must receive and record conflict of interest resolutions from Democrats.
3) Supreme Court: under the power of Judicial Review, if a law is not in accord with the Constitution, they can overturn it. The Constitution gives taxation to Congress, BUT, it also assures Justice and the General Welfare for all Americans.
The tax plan does neither, and, to the Court, "an act of the Legislature repugnant to the Constitution is void."
6
They just laugh at you.
Put the GOP out to pasture permanently in 2018.
14
How dumb do they think we are?
14
The results of the last election should answer your question.
8
December 19, 2017
The doctrine of Wealth is as much the eleventh of our Bill of Rights - and extremism for amassing capital assets is why Trump will say America is great again and here is your Christmas gift - So just ask what would have Senator Hillary Clinton given to this capital doctrine but stockings fill of social safety net's anti capital goals to live above average in high rise condos and offshore hoarding while vacationing in the Cayman Islands or Bermuda. Wealth is not about dreams its about happy tax filings and total refunds to obtain your own shares in greatness in the American land for serving prosperity and entitlements in tax writ politicizes we all live for well the Republican giver and giver and giver and we know who we are indeed.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
2
The Bill of Rights is yet another misleading law label where practically all are lies. It actually stipulates restrictions on the uses of powers delegated to Congress in the original Constitution. No power reserved by the people is even mentioned in the document, as amended.
1
These are supported by "Evangelicals", and remembering Jesus' parable of the dishonest steward in Luke 16:1-9, they are acting so that when voted out of office they will be welcomed by the people they have helped.
2
Thank you for pointing out that Trump will personally benefit from this atrocious tax bill. Why isn't the NYT investigating the fact that Trump signing this bill will be a giant conflict of interest?
I always look forward to seeing the NYT point out Trump's mistakes, dodges, lies, and general lack of sensitivity. I have to say I think you are failing your readers by not addressing the giant conflict of interest that will be perpetrated as soon as Trump signs the bill. If nothing else he's done is good enough to impeach him, signing this bill has to be enough. He will personally benefit to the tune of millions of dollars per year and his family will benefit with changes to the estate tax rules.
9
I have hoped the major newspapers would, if they could, do more to address the abuses of this president. USA Today is, as far as I know, the only major paper to call out Trump.
Is it outside the purview of editorial boards to call on Mr. Trump to resign or the Congress to impeach? I ask this sincerely since it seems like there are only a few avenues to address this awful problem of an inept arrogant president.
5
The Republicans are right out in the open that they are there to rip you off.
1
After the Senate vote this evening the President and the GOP will have achieved another victory. The GOP can then get to work correcting the Dems gross misrepresentation of what this historic reform will accomplish. The Markets will continue to respond, our retirement plans will benefit, industry will begin to invest and repatriate their Trillions in offshore funds. The Dems will continue to pursue the strategy they laid out on Nov 9th 2016 to deny any normalization of the President and severely punish anyone who doesn't toe the party line. They will continue the Gendercidal purge within their party and by 2018 everyone, R, D or I, running for public office, from Congress to Dog Catchers, will be accused of Harassment. The Dems will continue their Russia Russia Russia, impeach impeach impeach mantra which will be countered by serious questions about the probity of those running investigations of the President. The environment will become more toxic with questions about who was involved in giving away 20% of our uranium assets and cue bono, who benefited. At best the public will tire of a tedious worn out strategy, at worst the Dems will drive the market down, either way bleak for them. Feel free to hyperventilate, this is beginning to resemble the run up to Nov 8, 2016 only more toxic. What a colossal waste of time, energy and money, OUR MONEY.
2
Of course the market will respond favorably. Wall Street just got a windfall from the GOP/Trump tax plan!
And uranium again? Seriously? Do U even know no uranium under the deal can actually leave US? And for the pitiful amount of uranium involved, US already got over 100k ton of it from Russia before? Such ignorance!
6
I sure am tired of suck-up sycophants like you.
1
Too bad Corker is not going to be around next term to help his buddies cut the safety net.
5
So according to the calculator, I will receive a $3K tax cut - roughly $250 a month! Perfect timing to pay for the increase in my health insurance! How exciting! A true economy boost.
I'd rather they keep that $3K and use it to help Americans, all Americans not fatten the pockets of the rich and major corporations...
14
Since consumers are 70% of the US economy, you'd think they would be giving that 14% cut to us and not the corporations. Since that would make sense, then it follows that what they are doing instead, does not. Hence the rush and secrecy. I've always heard that the wealthy, and corporations, are able to weasel out of their taxes (like the Donald does), so why are nine million children losing their insurance so that this tax bill can be paid for?!! Every time you think Trump and his Republican cronies can't sink any lower . . . they do.
8
Most pundits on the left do not seem to have yet resolved the clever Republican strategy here. This tax bill contains some low-cost give-away to the middle-class, e.g., wage-earners that take the standard deduction will get a small cut, and there are some credits for families. At first, these small cuts will be very welcome to many people, and they will doubt the news reports that claimed that this was largely a give away to the rich. At the same time, the economy, for better or worse, will get a boost. Altogether, the Republicans will spin the result as a big win, and use it to further discredit the "fake liberal media." While I completely agree with the awfulness of this tax bill, the news media has not been doing a good job of covering its effects from the standpoint of its intended strategy.
7
Exactly!! By the time the middleclass feels the pain it will be during a democratic presidents term and will appear to have been caused by Dems.
4
A fundamental barometer of economic health is not Wall Street — It is main street. It is the hourly wages of workers; it is the stability of employment; It is equal justice under law and under economics; it is the affordability of education; it is access to health-care; and it is embedded in the overall optimism of the people. This tax bill is an abomination in its regressiveness and cruelty.
9
If there was ever a time for a revolution akin to the French Revolution of the 18th century, it is now. Sitting around complaining isn't working and nothing is going to change unless we put some skin in the game. Without a true revolution that changes the way things are going now, Americans deserve the royal drilling they are getting from their government.
7
Trump has eroded the kind of inhibitions which preserve civilizations from descending into chaos and disorder, inhibitions against excessive selfishness and neglect of the common good, the golden rule, the ethics of the stoics, of noblesse oblige, of faithful reverence with the divine authority of monarchs, of humanism and the rule of law in government. The Republicans are using their authority as representatives of he people to carve out material gains for themselves in the future. It's like what happened in Russia after the fall of the U.S.S.R. when the members of the dictatorship of the proletariat took possession of former publically owned enterprises and became oligarchs, only it's being done under the cover of legitimate legislation. Their superegos have all dwindled to nothing to be superseded by their ids.
5
This is not tax reform...It will increase the debt far more than the advertised 1.5 trillion where as real tax reform should drive toward a balanced budget that is much more fair to the middle class.
GOP hypocrisy about the debt is to whine/hawk about it when a democrat is in office and increase it as much as possible when a republican is in office.
8
Makes "one" (the upper "one") want to celebrate -
To the tune of an old Christmas song:
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Mine will be quite huge.
Think of us as
Tiny Tim and Mr. Scrooge.
Through the years, we've never been together
E-co-nom-ic-ly:
You pay taxes,
I pay a guy to be tax-free.
So, let's have ourselves a very Merry Christmas -
For Me!
6
It looks like time for a new twist on an old mantra:
REPEAL the Trumpublican tax cut for the super rich and REPLACE with a super-tax for the super-greedy, and make the 1% pay off the deficit.
6
What else is there to say? Take the money and run.
3
This is a disaster looming.
5
I was taught and believe that America is a DEMOCRACY , and that th e state is created to act for the public good. But over night it appears that America has become an OLIGARCHY. Congress, at the last moment.put in a provision n the Tax Reform Bill for a real e state deduction which was not in the bills discussed and passed by the Senate and House. It benefits only the wealthy including some congress persons such as Corker. and the president. Protest they may that they were not involved. "Fool me once." W e the people should be very concerned re what Congress does next. Aristotle noted that democracy is a delicate balance between chaos and tyranny.
5
We have our dear Supreme Court and Citizens United to thank.
1
Paul Ryan stated he wants to leave Congress...an easy way to avoid
rejection by his followers!
11
Let's not forget other odious aspect of this odious bill that have nothing to do with taxes, notably opening the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and elimination of the individual mandate from Obamacare. The oil drilling will fo course put at risk one of the most pristine places left on Earth and just add to global warming. The elimination of the individual mandate may well create the death spiral in the insurance market that Republicans have been falsely claiming is already occurring. Tax breaks for the rich and corporations, environmental destruction, and undermining of America's already precarious health care system: Thanks Republicans!
11
On top of the enormous burden this puts on the backs of Americans, families, seniors and hopeful young people we need for the future. with the increased debt all for the added wealth to Trump and Corker (almost unfathomable gain in their real estate fortunes) and the entire GOP this can increase health premiums for seniors and families as the young (healthy and low cost plans) leave the market with repeal of the mandate thus affecting premiums of the rest and really dangerous to seniors. Thanks GOP for having no one with courage who cares about America among you. You’re all money money money. And meanwhile the planet is in peril. No US involvement in the dangerous situation to oxygen 80% comes from the oceans which are in peril, global warming which can make the planet uninhabitable increasing deserts, less crops and less drinkable water.
Gee GOP you’re really ignorant.
7
Take note Democrats. 2018 elections have our name written all over them. Be smart and vote these greedy people out. Then let's reverse this bill before the damage is too great!
11
ROLL OUT THE TUMBRELS!
This will not stand!!!
6
Where is the Democratic "leadership?" Chuck and Nancy? [Snort!] Who will stand tall on the ramparts against the Republican horde? The overwhelming majority are joining local grassroots groups and staging smaller, grassroots protests, but they would be out on the streets en masse everywhere if there were a leader around whom to rally, someone loudly, publicly calling for a stop to our slide into dictatorship, calling for crowds in every city, calling for a march on Washington to rival the Women's March. Bernie was sabotaged by the Democratic "leaders"--yet everything he was warning us about has come to pass. Not to say he would have won--he himself has said he didn't know--but it's clear that, unlike Bernie, the Democratic Party is rudderless, without a message and without an inspiring leader.
So, where's the message, dammit? Where's the leader?
Crickets.
9
Where is the ladership? -- here's a hint.
"Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt." -- Sun Tzu: The Art of War.
5
I want somebody with guts to leak Trump's federal tax returns for the past few years and for the next few after this law takes effect. We Americans deserve to know the truth, whatever it is.
14
"....$414.5 billion in lost revenue over 10 years, according to Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation. To put that number into context, it is about 29 times as much as the roughly $14 billion a year that the federal government spends on the Children’s Health Insurance Program"
Must be "new math": $414.5 billion over 10 years is 29 times greater than 10 years of $14 billion? Really?! Try 2.9 times.
Bad public policy from bad process. Disgusting, but to be expected.
Innumeracy -- and the inability to differentiate between apples and oranges -- is far more troubling and harder to undo.
Ironic: http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/01/books/the-odds-are-you-re-innumerate.h...
1
Their math is fine, it is your reading comprehension that is lacking. $414.5 billion, is in fact 29 time greater than $14 billion. That is what they said, not what you think they said. Yes, one is the sum of 10 years of costs and the other a single year but, nevertheless, that is what they said.
2
Everything works for me, and I am in the 'lower middle class'. It's time to wake up to reality.
1
Really? Please explain how.
3
My guess is you are in your twenties and own nothing. When and if that changes you may not be so content with your reality.
1
Most reasonable people understand that one of the prime drivers of rising income inequality in the U.S. has been the rising gap between CEO and employee salaries. The GOP, with this tax bill, is maneuvering to make this corporate reality a model for governing. In essence, codifying the new Corporate States of America.
11
After a 20% "off the top" deduction for pass through real estate income, coupled with the depreciation allowance, the tax bill will benefit big real estate owners (i.e. Trump, Corker) considerably MORE than the tax code does now. WHY?
8
I just wonder how much anybody has thought about the inflationary pressure this will put on the economy due to the large increase in the deficit in the short term and debt in the long term. The relatively paltry tax deductions that the middle class will receive, temporarily, could be wiped out with as little as a 1.5% increase in the inflation rate. The Republicans say they can come back later and make adjustments, but how will they make up for the damage inflicted by the time they admit to their mistakes and fix it? Then will their repairs help or merely exacerbate the problems? That's especially troublesome because the GOP solution is invariable more tax cuts, mainly benefiting the wealthy.
Trump keeps claiming that "his" economy is humming along, with "record" low unemployment and gtrowth. If so, then why the rush with this cobbled together mish-mash of conservative think tank nostrums. Certainly, if Trump is to be believed (insert laughter here), three or four months to at least develop a more coherent plan would seem the responsible approach.
11
A bit about my two senators, Isakson and Perdue:
Perdue is worth an estimated $38,000,000. His most recent private employment was with Dollar General, where he "turned it around" by outsourcing product buys and hiring the cheapest labor he could stateside. He also presided over the failure of Pillowtex. Hired as a rainmaker to turn it around, it failed after only nine months, resulting in the largest job loss of over 4,000 in the state of NC's history. For his troubles, he took a paycheck of $1.7 million. His cousin, Sonny Perdue, was our Sonny "Perdue" Nothing Gov. for two terms. He is now trump's Sec. Agriculture, where he continues to do nothing.
Isakson, has an estimated net worth of $25,000,000. His fortune made in real estate. He anti-climate, anti-ACA, pro-gun and generally has done zero for Georgians. He now has Parkinson's, assures all he is up to the job, due to his excellent tax-payer provided healthcare.
These are just two of the millionaires stabbing their "constituents" in the back. I suggest you all investigate yours. I haven't the words to express my contempt for them - if so they could not be printed here. I assume however, that my contempt for them is somewhere on par with their contempt for me.
20
With the GOP politicians' self-interest so apparent, we citizens are now faced with "taxation without representation." The US citizenry must seek to regain our democracy!
8
We need to punch through to democracy in the first place. The Republican Party is taking us back to the golden age of slavery..
2
The biggest complaint from the editorial board a few weeks ago was how unfair the proposed bill was to graduate students and the chronically ill. But the GOP eliminated those issues.
So now the Editorial Board is returning to their usual complaint, red meat for its readers: how dare the rich, who will now pay a tax of 37% of their income, get some tax breaks, unavailable to the middle class who will pay a tax of 10% to 25% of their income. I'm not sure I buy the Times' argument. People who make more should pay more, but not necessarily a higher percentage. More compelling is the argument as to why the individual tax cuts expire in 2025 when the corporate tax cuts are permanent.
Personally I don't know whether I like this tax plan or not. I am not being helped by it as I pay a lot of state taxes. On the other hand, I have not been able to take advantage of the state tax deductions because my AMT eliminates them. So I'm basically even.
What is remarkable is the astronomical rise in the stock market, which most experts attribute to the tax plan. But it won't last. So, I just don't know where I come out on this - regardless of how persuasive the NYT's one sided argument is (and I have to agree it's persuasive).
2
Let's put it this way, regardless of whether everyone should be taxed at the same rate, rather than at progressive rates, if you compare before and after, by the government's own calculations 80% of the benefits of this bill go to the top 1% of the income scale. They do NOT pay 80% of the taxes, it's more like 40%: "In contrast, the top 1 percent of all taxpayers (taxpayers with AGIs of $465,626 and above) earned 20.58 percent of all AGI in 2014, but paid 39.48 percent of all federal income taxes." From the Tax Foundation. So they are getting twice their share of the tax cuts that do exist in the bill.
4
THIS BILL WILL KILL THE MIDDLE-CLASS! A household earning $1 million or more would get an average cut of $69,660, an income bump of 3.3 percent. Compare that to the average household earning $50,000 to $75,000, which would get a tax cut of $870, or 1.6 percent.
5
Now, NYTimes or some other responsible paper should publish the names of those lawmakers who will benefit and what their role was in the decision-making. This sounds like corruption at its worst.
14
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, THE CON IS ON!
My suggestion is to use the postcards we were going to file our taxes on to tell Trump, Ryan, McConnell, Corker etc. how despicable they are.
8
GOP Conniving Thieves! Surprised to learn Sen. Corker is one of them! When will voters realize the GOP is in the "game of politics" for themselves and NOT Middle Class & Low Income Voters?
3
Corker is to Chattanooga what Trump is to New York City.
3
If you are worried about politicians getting an unfair advantage, you would obviously look at the Clinton Foundation. But you won't.
4
Oh get real, the foundation didn't give any money to the Clintons.
Taking money from you folks is a kiss of death by association.
5
Anyone can establish their own charity and thousands of people do so every year. The Clinton Foundation is a public charity, not a private foundation as you would have us believe. As a public charity, it is subject to thorough and regular review by the IRS and any number of charity watchdogs. The fact that the Clintons give money to the charity they established is normal and encouraged; they are doing nothing wrong. Compare that with the Trump Foundation, which is a private foundation. The Trump Foundation has been accused (and they have acknowledged it) of self-dealing. I think you need to understand the difference between public and private foundations before you attempt to smear someone. But you won't.
14
@McCord
Guess you didn't hear about the disbanding of the Trump Foundation's so-called "Charity", and the fact that it was being investigated by New York State Attorney, Eric Schneiderman.
Feel free to Google it.
6
I'm getting mine and getting out. Right Bob?
10
It's much cushier to have a junior stooge doing the ugly deeds for you in politics. Corker is graduating.
1
"Repeal and Replace!" "Lock him up!" Two campaign slogans I expect to hear from all Dems going forward.
10
To all the people I debated with on social media before the election, elections have consequences and I warned you. To the people that thought Trump didn't care about money because he is already rich - you were wrong their greed knows no bounds. To the people that thought that a successful business man would go to Washington and clean out the swamp - you were wrong he is the swamp. To the people that vote for republicans over and over again because of family values or abortion issues that they only claim to care about - you continuously have chosen poorly and I suspect you will again, as PT Barnum said theirs a sucker born every minute.
21
Are there actual representatives who will do things to benefit only themselves and to allow the majority of their constituency to burn? Seriously? Who votes for these despicable, deplorable people?
7
I said it before, It should be obligatory viewing Fritz Lang´s Metropolis in
ALL elementary schools to show where we are all heading.
Funny to think that the NRA could be on the side of the people.
The Dems here are suggesting that unlike this major tax reform, the ACA process was an example of exemplary democracy at work. That's laughable, let me remind you what Obama Care's architect had to say:
MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber infamously told an audience at the University of Pennsylvania in November 2014 that Democrats required “the stupidity of the American voter” for Obamacare to become law. “There’s no sense in which it needs to be fixed,” Mr. Gruber said. “The law is working as designed. However, it could work better.” “I think probably the most important thing experts would agree on is that we need a larger mandate penalty."
Do Dems honestly believe the American Public's memory is that short or forgiving? If the Market heads south and wipes out our retirement account gains the Obstructionist Dems will own it.
2
Whatever your criticisms of the ACA, this tax plan is worse.
The ACA had a noble intent - a huge common social good. The goal was to provide the possibility of affordable health insurance to the millions of people who did not receive it through their employment and could not afford to buy it on their own. Healthcare inequality meant that for some hardworking people getting sick was an epic financial disaster. The ACA sought to provide relief for this awful problem.
This tax plan is a solution to a problem that does not exist. Corporations are sitting on mountains of cash. The stock market is up. Unemployment is down. Inflation is currently not a problem. Nothing about our economy screams "We need a new tax plan pronto!" What common social good is this tax bill addressing? The super rich are making out like bandits. The rest of us are a mixed bag, with some winners and some losers, but nothing life-changing, and everything will expire while the corporate cuts are permanent. Many corporations have freely admitted they will NOT use this new corporate tax-cut cash to raise wages or add jobs. Rather they will increase dividends and/or buy back stock, thus raising their stock price and triggering larger bonuses for their CEOs and senior staff, who apparently do not feel rich enough.
Making it possible for more and more people to be healthier and get treatment when they are sick or injured versus dramatically increasing the chasm between the wealthy and everyone else. ACA wins.
7
Bob Corker. Have you no shame? That's an easy one. And repeated time and again amongst the Republican senators. When it comes to Big Pharma making big bucks off of Oxicodone: Opioid Orin (Hatch) Have you no shame? When it comes to someone standing up for health insurance for the working class: Susan Collins: Have you no shame? When it comes to standard and usual procedures in the formerly deliberative body know as the senate: John McCain and Lindsay Graham: Have you no shame? And of late: Holding fast on deficit spending and on his own enrichment: Bob Kickback Corker. There is no shame amongst the Republicans and you won't find any in Trump corner.
To make it even uglier, look for one of the shameless to vote against the tax bill once its passage is assured, to pretend they are taking the high road, adding insult and shame to to the already shameless.
7
Republicans are the party of the Plutocrats; always have been. Why is anybody surprised by this naked power grab to enrich the plutocrats even more at the expense of the other 99%? Tell your Republican senator to vote NO on this bill. Like in my state of Utah, it will do no good whatsoever. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee are a lock for any bill Mitch throws at them, no matter how horribly bad it is.
4
Thereare few colder or more evil fish in the USA that Steve Mnuchin. You won't even find out that his new withholding tables will leave you owing taxes until you prepare your 2019 tax return, after the 2018 election.
7
And yesterday Trump spoke about our broken down infrastructure after a commuter train derailed right onto highway 9. His own self-professed love for his own city with a subway, railway, bridges and roads about to crumble of old age has not fared any better. Millions of lives are at risk every day all over the country. The hypocrisy is unbelievable. The people we've elected are so callous and blatant about their heist. They've even stopped to sugarcoat their greed. Do they need their tax cut from 37% to 21%. Any fool would say no when he is getting hit in the solar plexus. But we 99% of Americans are just stupid and we deserve to be roughshod unto death. In the next election ( three years away! ) we will still vote for these selfish rogues. We, 99% of Americans are no better than the Rohingyas!
2
The stench of Trump taint has now also coated so-called Senator Corker.
3
Every day new horrors are revealed in the tax bill. I can't find yet whether the wealth tax on universities remains. Nobody seems to notice the removal of the personal exemption. It just goes on. You think all this will hurt Republicans at the polls next year? Based on history, there's no reason to think so.
2
The wide majority of republican voters still love all these guys . It is obvious that we are now living like the citizens of countries where drug cartels call the shots and control the population . Our cartels are run by politicians !
2
How could they do this to Americans at Xmas, especially?
No sense of real religious values.
3
Agree. And no sense of moral values, either.
3
I can pretty much guarantee that there is not a single congressman voting for this bill who has read the entire thing. There are a lot of lobbyists who have, though, and therein lies the problem. And Mr. Trump, perhaps if we got a look at your tax returns we could get a clearer picture of how this will allegedly hurt you. That won't happen, though, since you are once again lying you poorly coiffed head off. I can pretty much guarantee that as well.
5
Conflict of interest? America, your democracy has been bought by the highest bidders. GOP in complicit in selling out America.
8
Profiles In Greed (PIG) has been the Republican underlying m.o. for years, which they have successfully hidden from too many voters by their many false and divisive arguments and acts.
2
This corruption at its worst. We the people must stop this and take back our democracy which is now not a democracy, but a full blown corrupt plutocracy.
2
13 million to lose healthcare insurance and nary a word about it.
4
Corker is the Republican Senator that will reap the most from the kickback.
14 Senators (GOP) reported income from real estate.
They all vote YES.
Hypocrits and shameless.
They do have a price, they can be bought.
The proof is there.
8
The clarity with which the NYTIMES lays out its argument against the tax bill makes me think someone from the Editorial Board should run for office--or at least advise the Democratic Party on clear, concise messaging.
5
I wouldn't mind everyone gaining a bit by way of tax reform. This travesty however reeks of a huge disparity built on disingenuous claims of equivalency. These political rapists are showing their true blood. That blood has nothing in common with the masses. It makes me sick every-time I hear one of them trying to convince me that what is undeservedly fantastic for them is the same or even more so for me. Please give me a break! It doesn't take a genius to see what is right in front of them. It does require a fool however to ignore reality.
5
I read a lot of whining in the NYT about how this tax bill will lower home values, but home values need to be lowered. The cost of a home has grown far beyond the means of many people, particularly on the coasts, with values growing far beyond the rate of inflation. I notice that Bob Corker was your guy just a few weeks ago but now he's a dirty rotten scoundrel. Very tribal of you. In my opinion, you don't have a crystal ball and you don't know what will happen after 2025. And I personally don't find this bill any more revolting, dishonest, or sneaky than the ACA, which had the same amount of buy-in from the opposition that the tax bill does: None.
3
Are any of us seriously surprised? It's been ages since the Republican Party has done what's best for Americans. Their decisions and votes are always driven by self-dealing and feathering their own nests.
To believe - or expect - otherwise borders on a delusion that's dang near Trumpian.
2
Shocked, I am not. The 'President' never really disassociated himself from his businesses. His entire term to date has been about making money while undoing anything (good or bad) that Obama accomplished. Regulatory change? Follow the $. Tax code changes? Follow the $. Removal of sanctions against Russia? Follow the $. Money laundering? Follow the $.
Sad, indeed.
4
What's so nauseating is GOP voters certainly must know this by now. This information has not only been in the NYTimes but also news cycles and even their hometown newspaper and online. Yet, they support the very people not only openly stealing their money, but also laughing all the way to the bank in front of them. Is the GOP voter really that stupid? If so, we are headed for a massive crash, people. And not just financial.
4
Mr. Corker's take on attaining his VOTE ... show me the money!
Think of all the Republican politicians & donors who manipulated this scam - will simply die more wealthy! Worth it?
4
Allowing illegal aliens a tax credit based on their children's SSN here rather than on their own (which they don't have) is simply perpetuating an incentive to break our immigration laws.
2
Welcome to the chicken house, Senator Corker.
1
I guess the Republican Party needs to change the Trump slogan from "Drain the Swamp" to "Drown in the Swamp!"
1
I will stipulate that I have never bee a Republican, nor would I ever have contemplated being one. That said, I cannot recall in my lifetime a period in which the GOTP (Greedy Old Tea Party) has ever been so breathtakingly corrupt, rotten to its core, blatantly mendacious, and savagely punitive and venal as they greedily reward themselves and their red faced, foot stamping, entitled plutocrats, by stealing from the 99.9%. Sick children in desperate need of renewed funding for SCHIP? Nah! Can't be bothered - too "expensive." Tens of millions of Americans who desperately need healthcare access? Nah - let them eat cake! Our fragile, endangered environment? Fuggedaboutit - drill, baby, drill! Women's economic security and healthcare primacy and privacy? Nope - all of those "little women" need to be kept under the boot heels of extremist right wing patriarchal male misogynists who despise us. Corker is a flat out criminal and fraud. We already know that he joins the ranks of Trump. Shame on Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, and the rest of these right wing toadies and stooges, who are willing to gut the lives of their constituents and all Americans, in slavish, fawning, boot licking fealty to their plutocrat owners. We are an oligarchic banana republic, thanks to them all. 12/19, 9:47 AM
4
How dare Trump tweet about a 'crumbling infrastructure' after the Washington derailment ! Inaccuracy is his habit. The real culprit for this disaster was not crumbling infrastructure but the failure of corporate entities to pay for safety GPS- required for 10 years by Congress- but given an extension ever since.
Countimng on the private sector to protect the public good is obviously nuts. Companies wait for the accident before adding costly protections.
So- this tax give-away makes any promise of infrastructure upgrades- sorely needed for US functioning (let alone -greatness) and true homeland security- nonsense.
Unless Trump wants to further bloat the debt- he has blown his chance to fix things, create real domestic employment and help wages grow. He apparently wants to put the burden on local government & the priavte sector...another rip off to average Americans. Maybe Microsoft can buy Amtrak fall-safe gadgets, Bloomberg can upgrade MetroNorth...the Kochs can repair bridges & water pipes... Ha.
Stupid tax policy, cynical politics.
4
It's what Republicans do. It is, in a word, theft.
4
Blue States garbage been the traditional "tax givers" to the federal government must find a way to make sure that the "taker" Red States do not get any more money than they give in...let's truly be fair about it and see how kindness pompous, callous, hypocritical Republicans last in their home states.
4
Agree, all we want back is wh we give. Why should NY,NJ AND others subsidies the red welfare states.
They always complain about Socialism. This is Socialism.
3
This bill is the ultimate insult to America. Dear Trump, Pence Ryan and ever one in the GOP. May God give you what you really deserve. Oh and a shout out to Huckabee Sanders for being the foul person you are representing the lies and denying the truth to our press and every journalist is a better person than the administration
5
Republicans are touting the temporary tax breaks the middle class will get, but they don't mention the medicare, medicaid and social security cuts they will try to enact to reduce the deficit resulting from the enactment of the Wealthy Americans Enrichment Act. When those go into effect, middle class taxpayers will want to trade in their $500/year tax cuts for the benefits the Republicans have taken away.
6
In listening to the financial press today, the prudent movers of money are not going to do anything to stimulate the economy, because they fear the coming backlash against this wildly unpopular bill. They plan neither to hire nor invest. They're going to pocket the short-term gain now, and position themselves to be OK once it is repealed either one or three years from now.
4
Classic "take the money and run" ploy. Corker, Ryan, Collins, Mnuchin, and the rest of the lying party don't care if the GOP is defeated next year or 2020, as long as they personally have enough money to isolate themselves from the seething masses of middle- and poor- America. Vote 'em out, overturn and send them the bill.
4
It looks as if Washington government has become nothing but unprincipled crooks grinding out "reforms" to the tax code that are chopped out of the Poor's safety net and sent to Trump and his associates as if they were honest representatives of the rest of the country. It is apparently Thieves Day for the White House and its pals.
5
I am being overwhelmed with sadness for my country. Every day the injustice and inequality gets worse. The average American, the foolish American who believed in his country, who trusted in his country to be different and better, gets trampled beneath the boots of a Republican Party that simply does not care what happens its middle class and poor. Not only does the GOP not care about these Americans, they hold them in contempt, even loathing.
This tax bill - which is nothing but a massive gift to the already vastly wealthy - is the sort of thing we are used to seeing in a dictatorial African country, or Venezuela or Russia. Profoundly un-American and stunning in its inequality, we are left gasping at the greed of Republican lawmakers. Is it never enough for them? Is there no limit to what they will take before they are satisfied?
Senator Corker and Donald Trump are truly despicable, but Ted Ryan is the and Mitch McConnell are the worst of the lot, proudly bragging that their real agenda is not just pandering to the ultra rich, but defunding and destroying Social Security and Medicare. Why in God's name a man would rejoice at seeing the poor and elderly suffer even more is beyond human understanding.
12
What exciting times we live in, echoing such as The 1919 Treaty of Versailles decision to demand full reparations from Germany, that they could never afford, causing ruinous inflation, Hitler, WWII, Cold War.
Economist John Meynard Keynes knew it was disastrous, the reason he resigned from the British delegation. He was correct, as are those who oppose Leader Trump and his ardent followers, but as then, it doens't matter.
We are on the history's long slide, and there's no getting off once the descent begins. As said by Caesar: "The Die is cast."
1
If Bob Corker was an honest broker he's insist that the 20% pass through deduction be taken out of the current tax bill. It wasn't in the Senate or House bill but suddenly it's there. Wow what a surprise. Corker also said he hadn't read the complete bill. I'm sure he'd never sign a commercial contract for one of his properties without having read the contract thoroughly. The entire Congress as well as Trump are a bunch of serving phonies.
5
The main purpose of this bill is to feed The Swamp. The question is whether or not the voters will realize that the current WH and Republican Congress didn't drain but actually enlarged it.
3
Apparently, Corker now claims that he didn't flip-flip and start to become SO enthusiastic about adding $1.5 trillion to the nation's debt that he'd love to actively contribute to such a fiscally irresponsible behavior and as a consequence promised to vote for it, simply because the GOP leadership included a new passage that gives him a $1 million tax break.
We shouldn't think so low of him, he told a reporter, because he'd never do something like that. Why not? Because, he replied, he didn't even read the bill!! So how could he know he would be giving himself $1 million?
Could any ordinary citizen imagine admitting this to your boss, when you're working at a private sector company ... ?
But Corker isn't an ordinary citizen,. So he decided to quit his workplace very soon. As a consequence, he apparently doesn't care about what his boss (= "we the people") might think, as his tax reform bill is the perfect way to destroy the entire company, AND as those who will put it on fire just promised him a million dollar bonus. And who wouldn't say yes to that, right?
4
Tragically, you're right. And worse, anyone who watched as Senators Collins, McCain and Flake suddenly changed course knew that invariably, Corker would be next.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
5
This awful tax plan that most Americans despise is the first real sign of hope for a future without Trump our country has received in a long, long time.
4
Why do working class and middle class voters support these people? It must be some perverse, late Medieval impulse toward serving the lord of the manor at the expense of one's own interests. They must think it is God's will that there is only a tiny number of aristocratic elites who are financially secure.
3
I think the GOP Congress knows it's goose is cooked and is feathering it's nest on it's last lap before they go away.
4
Hey, what's the worry? We have the best Congress that money can buy.
4
Merry Christmas from the Scrooges! Just like they promised! Keep shoveling that coal into our stockings. May I have another bowl of gruel please?
2
The architect of this of this monstrosity, Kevin Brady of Texas appeared on Morning Joe this morning. He was arrogant, dismissive and avoided answering excellent questions, truly odious. I forgot condescending, he was that in spades. My Virginia Senator Warner, no progressive by the way, said this morning that this was the worst piece of legislation he has seen in his time in the Senate. There is a reckoning coming in 2018, make sure all are registered to vote, have the required vote suppression I.D.'s and know what is at stake. While democrats lack perfection, there is no way that both parties are the same as so many parrot.
5
Goes back to, "we know what you are, now we're negotiating your price."
2
Regarding Corker - and Susan Collins for that matter - you can't change the stripes on a tiger, or the stink from an elephant.
1
Are Republican House members in Blue states and those representing Red state suburbs listening to the growing outrage they will face with this tax bill? Can I hear an "Amen" from Peter King of Long Island? Hello, Peter? Hello?
3
The only way to get Pete King's attention is to VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE if he runs again...and he's already been there forever!
We're working on it!
There is no longer any attempt at subtlety. Republicans are openly and shamelessly corrupt. Their rapaciousness is breathtaking.
4
All one can do is vote Democratic and make sure others that are so inclined vote as well. No excuse to not get out and VOTE!!
3
All of them are horrible, dishonest and disgraceful legislators but am I naive in thinking that their tactic is to "cut and run", or more accurately "grab and run?" If the Democrats can ever get it together to reclaim control won't they be able to immediately reverse this tax bill?
1
This nation needs a Balanced Budget Amendment to its Constitution. The republicans have proven once and for all that they are fiscal hypocrites - our $20 trillion debt (and growing) is only a problem when they aren't in power. Each and every U.S. citizen is already owes $63k to this mountain of red ink. Imagine this outstanding bill on your credit report. You owe it - it's just not reflected on your books. Perma-deficits guarantee future bankruptcy. Trickle down is a proven sham. This president + this congress = wrecking ball.
4
Impervious to the shaming, (lack of conscience) Corker's pass through real estate business will make him an even richer man, paid for by us, and our children. The coming bubble will bring a crash that will be much worse than the last one, which as also compliments of Republicrooks. Call your Congresspeople. Fill the streets.
2
Blue states won't have any money to donate to Red States. I wonder why Republicans voted for Trump in the first place. He promised to demonize minorities and Muslims, create an isolationist nation, reduce trade, build walls, gut public education, dismantle laws to protect clean air and water, support activist judges, roll back civil rights, destroy free press, sow division, distribute propaganda, and befriend Putin for hacking our election and assisting him with the win. Red States like winning. That's why they always vote R. Guess that's why they have so many grievances. Republicans always take care of their own. Winning hurts.
2
If this vile piece of 'legislation' passes and is enacted, I think it might be time to organize a nonviolent resistance around NOT paying the additional taxes to gorge the rich. With luck we can even break the system, including the penal part of it!
4
As of now, the American people have no say in their own government. We will have a chance to correct this travesty next November. VOTE!!!
2
If Trump is given the choice of telling the truth or telling a lie he always chooses the latter. So his statement "the tax bill would “cost me a fortune” and his accountants “are going crazy now.” " is not the least bit shocking. He is the biggest purveyor of fake news. He has never done or would do anything that would harm his own empire or that of his friends. He was a sleazy businessman who lied his way into agreements then lied his way out at the expense of his employees and investors. Why would the tax bill be any different? When will the GOP do something about their unqualified man in the White House?
3
In future, as the deficit grows from this “let-them-eat-cake” bill, the rich, special interests and the rightists will raid entitlement funding. Ah! That was the goal all along!
1
Senator Corker proved himself a hypocrite. Although earlier claiiming to be a fiscal hawk worried about the deficit, he switched to a "yes" vote when sweeteners were added to benefit his real estate interests.
1
Yesterday, David Brooks set out the principle that guides Republicans. He said: "I don’t expect the G.O.P. to be hurt by the decision to stiff its own voters. The historical pattern is clear: The less Republicans do for workers, the more alienated the workers become and the more they vote Republican."
This tax "reform" may be the clearest example ever of the application of that principle.
3
Are these people (and by these people, I mean mostly the GOP since they have all the power right now) ever going to do work for the people they serve, rather than for themselves and their cronies. At least health care helped many people who are supposed to be sharing in the wealth and health of this country. It's pretty clear that the rich, who seem to really be running this country have no interest in the middle and especially the poor. When the bust comes, and it will, they will have made so much money that it will not really touch them, but what about the rest of us who will be getting a little "trickle down" from this disaster -- we (and by we, I mean most Americans) are the real losers.
2
Look, I hate this tax plan and what it is going to do to the middle class and the economy. But. Why don't you factor in the huge number of small sole proprietorships this will help? Right now the tax on this income is brutal...you pay your regular income tax plus an additional self employment tax of over 15%. And this is for anyone with income of over $400.
1
The obnoxious, anti-people Provisions of this Tax Bill calls into question the efficacy of Democracy in the US. How can this be Govt FOR the People ?
1
Make Every Member of Congress (& Trump) Reveal How They Will Benefit From Their “Yes" Vote on the Tax Bill.
Every member of Congress who votes for the new tax bill must be transparent and made accountable. Each vote must be accompanied by their tax return and an estimate of the bill’s impact on their taxes—how much they are personally to gain from this bill for which they are voting.
If not, we the people must assume that they are voting to benefit themselves at the expense of the American people. We already know that they are benefitting their mega-donors. But they must be held accountable for all of their personal gain.
Everyone who votes for the tax bill, including the President who will sign it into law, must reveal how they will benefit. Otherwise, the United States democracy will have failed it’s ultimate “stress test.”
Where is Fourth Estate calling for full disclosure of congressional taxes and benefits?
Why aren’t the Democrats demanding the Republicans be ethically transparent?
I urge the NY Times to assign an OpEd writer or the Editorial Board to write a withering demand on behalf of We the People and the United States of America.
The spark that fueled the American Revolution was taxes.
Perhaps a petition can result which might shame an apparently shameless Republican Party and its shameful head, President Trump.
4
Has anybody thought about thanking “the rich?” With nearly 50% of taxpayers paying no tax it seems like a pretty good deal for them. We are already half way to socialism. That thought is scary!
3
Not quite how it all works -- I think you are 'Confused' about socialism.
1
My wife and I will probably see an immediate $1000 tax cut under this bill. But we get our health insurance through the ACA, so that cut will likely be more than eaten up by increased premiums. For many taxpayers this is simply a scam, giving with one hand while taking away with the other. And that's not even getting to the boiling frog strategy of expiring cuts over the next ten years. Republicans are cynically betting that ordinary people won't notice because they just can't do the math. They may be right in advance, in the abstract. But when the bills come due each month, everyone can count to zero.
3
The Republican will keep the wool over everyone's eyes until they prepare their 2018 returns after the election, in 2009.
Trump's Good News Tax Cuts for low income and middle-class families (wherever they may be) will be a sugar high that might last through the 2018 elections. By that time, anyone who is not a major real estate developer or ultra-rich billionaire, namely the vast majority of Americans, will be on to the swindle. The deficit will spike dramatically, inflation will rise, and wages will continue to stagnate (average wage earner: don't expect major corporations gaining an obscene cut in their tax rate will pass along any savings to you). And who will be blamed? The Democrats, of course. This so-called tax plan is the most disgusting and anti-democratic end game that I have ever witnessed. The basic premise is, entitlements for poor and low-income families are just another form of coddling those too lazy to get off the couch and earn a real living. And the ultra-rich, well, they claim they have made their billions through thrift, hard work, and industry. Right. Wake up, America, you are being robbed.
2
If the effects of this travesty of a bill don't cause an epic disaster at the polls for the GOP, there is no hope for this country.
3
It is shocking to me that voters are not marching in the streets against this tax bill. Why do voters believe the Republican Party's lies? It is shameful that the Senate does not have three Republicans who will vote against this bill. Most of them opposed Trump when he ran for President. Several Senators are not running for re-election. There are more than three who should be stepping up to stop this bill. Shame. Shame on the Republicans for supporting a Tax Bill which benefits rich individuals and corporations and damages the future of our country.
If you live in a state with a Republican Senator, please call their office now and demand they vote no on the Tax Bill. And have all of your friends do the same. There isn't a moment to lose.
3
Even if you live In a neighboring state. I live in MA and have been emailing Susan Collins to say that there will be bus loads of MA voters coming to ME to campaign against her. Unfortunately, she has caved even thought this bill will hurt her state. She says that Mitch promised not to cut Social Security or Medicare, so I assume that she also believes in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.
5
I have yet to see one republican/conservative voice support for this tax bill in these comments. Let's see the empirical evidence showing how this supply side juggernaut will end up increasing economic output thereby increasing federal revenues and thus down the deficit. Surely, there must be research somewhere from Prof. Laffer substantiating their claims. Come one supply siders, let's see what you got!
2
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution says "The President shall...receive for his Services, a Compensation [during his term]...and shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States..." Won't the 20% deduction violate that clause? Isn't it a prohibited raise in the president's compensation? At a minimum shouldn't Trump renounce his right to take the deduction? Because of his obvious, flagrant conflict of interest here, shouldn't he be denied the authority to sign the tax bill into law? And if he does, why shouldn't that be treated as an impeachable offense? A state like New York has standing to sue the president right now in the US Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the 20% deduction and Trump's authority to make it the law of the land.
3
These guys aren't even faking like they are concerned or that really hope that their bet pays off for everyone in the country. They know it is no good for the middle class and poor. They don't care. This bill really shows the absolute disdain for everything that this country was built on.
These "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" people are so wrong about how being middle class works. They have no clue about how poverty works. They have no clue about how mental health works. This bill will make many things in this country worse; especially when they start cutting services that many in this country need.
3
when the democrats take over congress next year and the presidency 2 years later, I hope they invalidate the law and reverse it. those that gained the most will pay disproportionately higher for years. they deserve it. of course, republican senators and congressmen deserve prison for being traitors but that is another issue
5
I was driving through southeastern Ohio last week and was struck by the level of poverty that I was driving through. I realized that many of these people probably vote Republican thinking that it is the party that represents their Christian values and unfettered 2nd Amendment rights.
I wish someone would wake everyone up and explain to them that they are about to become more marginalized than ever with no hope for affordable health care or any safety net for them or their children.
I couldn't figure out how Ohio has one Senator from the GOP, Senator Rob Portman. Then I realized he lives in a very affluent area outside of Cincinnati and rubs elbows with one of the most affluent area codes in the country. To realize that he is selling out about 95% of the state for the benefit of possibly 5% or less seems criminal.
I wished I had the ability as a voter and citizen to shift some of his Congressional salary and benefits to those that will be the most damaged from his yes vote for this horrible tax bill. A shameless human being, unfortunately Ohio is stuck with him and his hurtful policies for constituents for five more years.
4
This bill and the attempted passage of it by the Republicans and Trump is classic confidence man behavior (AKA con man).
Showing you something shiny in one hand and then picking your pocket with the other.
It may already be too late regarding this corrupt bill, but unless republicans lose their majority they will continue to destroy all that is great in this country from the middle class to the environment.
4
So what else is new? Even a cursory look at the US history of the past few decades shows the pattern: Reagan's tax cuts for the rich and ballooning of national deficit vs. first in many years reduction of the deficit under Clinton; almost-depression under Bush Jr. that enriched the banks vs. salvation of the economy by Obama; first-ever step to provide health care for everyone through ACA vs. its current destruction; current Great Robbery of national economy for the benefit of the rich and Republican politicians (see today's paper). There is one pattern: the GOP responsibility. With democracy under GOP we do not need enemies. It is not just Trump: he is a witless tool of GOP (and indirectly Russia that caused Hillary's loss in electoral college). Well: if in a few years sick and impoverished middle class complains we will tell them again "We told you so: I am from Massachusetts!
3
As I've said about other unethical, immoral, blatantly corrupt events, decisions, executive orders, speeches that have happened since January 20, 2017--Can you imagine the GOP response if Barack Obama, his administration, or a Democratic Congress had done such things as we've witnessed the last 11 months? Impeachment, vilification, hyperbolic negative messaging, and media support for the wacko GOP response would have been overwhelming. Dems just do not know how to message in a way that is effective. The Republicans are going to pass this bill and then in 2018 and then begin to slice and dice Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP and any other safety net program that they can. Dems will be aghast. Media will normalize, but Trump and his Congress will do as they please to the American people.
2
Did I miss something? Nowhere have I read a rationale for that provision, other than "its main purpose was to make sure pass-through businesses were not treated unfairly because corporations would be getting a big tax cut to 21 percent, from 35 percent now." Oh boo hoo, those poor real estate developers, already making quite a killing! Like you have to make sure to equally divide the spoils?
How about treating the average Jane & Joe fairly first, like, spending the money (our tax money) on us, like we're supposed to?
2
@Sally
No. You missed nothing, except maybe the fact that Trump too, is a "poor" real estate developer -- and that We, the People should be thinking about the Emoluments Clause!
1
This is a classic example of open highway robbery; while we as public casual passerby watch on.
1
We have the best government money can buy.
2
Not to mention 13 million people losing their health insurance because of the elimination of the mandate. The Republican majority should be ashamed and pilloried in the court of public opinion.
4
According to the Congressional Budget Office, it's going to be more like 24 million Americans losing their health insurance.
And the Republican majority would first have to have morals, in order to have a conscience.
1
Republicans, you could have earned our respect if you all chose to MEND A CITY via a bi-partisan infrastructure plan/bill. In steadyou have earned our everlasting revulsion at your unfettered MENDACITY with this new tax bill.
1
I have always maintained that the United States Government has been taken over by thieves and con artists and this tax bill proves it. No shame just pure thievery by the so called people representatives.
Those who voted for those con artists and their leader setting in our White House ought to be ashamed of themselves. Not to say I told you so but I am glad they are being taken to the cleaners by the man they voted for.
I take issue with the term "feathering their own nests." It is called corruption. Whether it rises to the level of a kleptocracy, such as in Pakistan or Afghani government, is a better question. This is not a road we want to go down.
2
Trump has taken us from the swamp to the cesspool and now our legislators are joining him. Will he bring the country into bankruptcy as he has done with so many of his businesses? What have we come to?
1
This legislation is an outrage, a judgment cemented by the 20% deduction for passive income.
My background is in the commercial real estate industry, so I fully understand how this change will incentivize additional investment in this sector. But capital has been flowing into commercial real estate and those able to invest hardly need an additional tax cut.
This bill is institutionalized greed, pure and simple. I ardently hope that one brave Republican senator abstains from voting on this measure. In addition, Doug Jones should be seated in the Senate before this vote takes place.
4
The reason Republicans can ignore public opinion is because so many districts are gerrymandered, and they are employing voter suppression techniques, and many of the ones that vote for them get dishonest reporting from Fox News. Our democracy is not functioning properly and they know it and like it that way.
129
I recently saw study that shows when most Americans favor a proposal, it passes 30% of the time. When they disapprove, it also passes 30% of the time. In other words, it matters not one bit what Americans want.
1
Is it possible for this nightmare to end.We can wake up to moral selfless political government for all of the people.
Doesn't look like it...just getting worse.
1
Agreed. So please, everyone who can contribute to this effort, get out there and try to undo gerrymandering. Even so, it's incredibly important to get out and VOTE! Is it worth it. You bet. Just look at the Virginia House of Delegates seat that was won by a Democrat BY JUST ONE VOTE.
2
Years ago, in what was then a small New England town where I grew up, I recall the grandfather of a friend was on the finance committee. He was a staunch Republican who believed in fiscal responsibility, though on social matters he was at progressive. He lived in a nice section of town on a beautiful street shaded with tall oaks and maples, yet the section of road in front of his house was a quilt of patches.
My friend said that, as an official of the town, he always deferred work on his street, lest anyone think he was taking unfair advantage of his position in the town.
That was the GOP I knew as a boy. Today that ethic would seem to be lost in monumental ways, and it makes me very sad.
7
Has the audit of Trump's tax return been completed? Can we at least see the last return not under audit? How are we to know whether tax reform is helping or hurting him.
1
It is disturbing that GOP legislators can create such a vile tax bill, and sleep at night. It goes without saying that the main resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't consider the harm this bill will do, a second thought.
1
What you see trump and the republicans doing is striving to execute the best tax plan for their billionaire donors - NOT the American middle or poorer classes, not the nation as a whole, not for the America we think we are. Because of the 2010 Citizens United and the 2014 McCutcheon decisions your congressional representatives can be funded for office with unlimited secret money and the Republicans overwhelmingly represent their billionaire donors interests. Trump and the Republicans are looking after the financial interests of the wealthiest individuals in this country and what you are seeing in their actions here is the spectacle of a tax policy payoff to billionaire donors and republican stakeholders, including russia, who want and expect favors for themselves now that the election is over. America is becoming an oligarchy with unlimited political payoff being the price of getting the nomination for president or being elected president. This also applies to your governors, senators and congress members.
1
VOTE in 2018 and in every election at every level. The utter contempt of the rich and powerful for the less so wrapped in this money-grab tax bill will only be countered by voting in Democrats who will reverse it.
3
Feathering their nests indeed.
But this is not just Trump's doing. I doubt that Trump has read this tax bill - or ever will. In this case, Trump is the convenient tool, the excuse, the dream-come-true enabler of the GOP. Complicit? Absolutely, but this is the very “tax reform” bill the Republican leadership (pointing at you Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell) has been longing to pass for years.
Republicans of every stripe love their “trickle-down” theory even though it has failed miserably every time it’s been attempted. Look no further than Sam Brownback’s’ Kansas for proof of this. After this tax bill is passed, it won’t matter to those who sign it if they lose their seats. They’ll pocket their ill-gotten extra cash and head off to become lobbyists, FOX news commentators or relax in comfortable retirement.
Once and for all, the modern GOP is showing that they do not care about the people who elected them, especially the poor saps who can’t find ways to become wealthy on their own.
Those "Elites"? It’s obvious. The Elites are the GOP congressional legislators including the president.
3
The elimination of deductions for state and local taxes has me trying to remember details about the plot of Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand's nonsense "novel" that Paul Ryan admires so much.
As I recall the plot, all the true "makers," the innovators, the entrepreneurs, the "job creators," the "wealth creators," you know, the ubermenschen, go on strike. (They don't call it a strike, of course.) They grow tired of supporting the system and one by one they all just quietly withdraw from society and retreat to some sort of mountain hideaway (Aspen maybe?) Soon only the "takers" are left and of course everything falls apart.
That set me to imagining. What would happen should the big blue "maker" states, that are being punished here by the little red "taker" states, one by one stop sending their tax dollars to Washington. To apply Ayn Rand's argument that would be a natural step to take. Big Blue Shrugged. Pretty soon all the little red states that used to get a whole lot more from the federal government than they contribute would be running around, not knowing what to do, and whining like all those little loser people Rand imagines. Meanwhile New York, California, Massachusetts, Washington, Oregon, and the others could be living the good life at home.
Wouldn't that be revolutionary? Let's see if Bob Corker can get rich without our help. Or Trump for that matter.
2
I am puzzled voting on a bill you directly financially benefit from is at minimum a ethics violation, 14 GOP voting on this bill directly benefit, now its maximum a criminal violation to use your public office for personal financial gain! How can these men/women do this and not face either a ethics commission investigation or a criminal investigation?
3
I'm old enough to remember another time when Republicans passed a tax cut that primarily benefited the rich. Democrats created an image that made clear the consequences of the tax cut.
It showed that the middle class would receive the equivalent of a muffler while the rich would receive the BMW.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
1
Important commentary. The change with LLCs and reduction to corporate rates MOST importantly had just shifted the tax burden to US citizens. Regardless of who gets the most short term benefits and hire much the deficit increases, every dollar we will pay in personal taxes will now subsidize the portion that business used to pay. This trend has increased since Reagan and continues. Business pays less of the"pie". So when the democrats eventually take control and try to invest in infrastructure (that heavily assists businesses), the"people" will be paying even more of a share. And as the baby boomers cost more in Medicare and social security, the people will pay for it as opposed to the corporation who have dropped and cut retirement programs to nothing. The Republican Congress really doesn't care about the future of the USA.
2
During this holiday season, we should put all these devoted, altruistic public servants in our hearts. Let us carry the memories of their selfless deeds with us all the year. Then, come November 6, 2018, let us go out of our way to repay them in kind, many times over, for all the disservice that they have rendered and for which they are so richly deserving.
1
This bill makes it easier for some people not to bother opening accounts in the Cayman Islands anymore. Why bother opening an offshore account when you can get tax avoidance without the hassle in the US?
This just in: Corker failed to disclose millions and millions of dollars of income from real estate (one of the big winners in the current tax plan), hedge funds and other investments since entering the Senate in 2007. Guess who's feathering his own nest now?
2
I wish I could pose as Bob Corker’s conscience, sitting on his shoulder at his deathbed, and see how he reckons the fact that he traded his legacy and his own righteousness, for more pieces of gold, which he obviously does not need to live comfortably - at least in the material sense of the word.
1
This bill makes it harder to buy and stay in a home. It also gives tremendous profits to commercial real estate developers, like the people who develop apartments an condominiums. The self serving goals of this bill are so clear along with the Oligarchs intentional disregard for the will of their constituents. Drive people out of home ownership and into their apartments and condos. Homes are only for the rich, as is higher education, everyone needs to go to voucher funded private religious K-12 schools and then join their military or peasant working class. They want our truth to be whatever it is they tell us it is
2
$1,500,000,000,000 Added to the Debt of our US Government by REPUBLICAN tax cut of corporate tax.
Means
$1,500,000,000,000 NOT spent on
Education
Infrastructure (Including Railroads)
Medical research
Science research
Health care...
THANKS republican Congress.
4
Senators and members of Congress are not poor. And unlike President Trump, they disclose their income taxes. Each and every Republican voting for this bill is going to be saddled next election cycle with pointedly accurate advertisements blaring how much they personally gained from their vote. Whatever ordinary, working taxpayers temporarily gain from their expiring tax cuts, it's going to pale beside what these bandits and their donors will be making off with. Expect retribution at the polls. Democrats need only run on fixing this injustice, leaving most modest tax cuts in place and recovering the loot stolen from the treasury by closing special interest loopholes and raising taxes on the rich and corporations.
1
"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness." (John Kenneth Galbraith)
These people don't govern for the general welfare or greater good of the country, they're doing doing the work for the uber wealthy...and themselves!
3
It looks like Trump's ever best investment ever is whatever of his own money he put into the presidential campaign. That looks like it's going to pay off well. No matter what you think of him, he does a great job of taking care of himself.
1
How is this being paid for? Don't they have to stick within the $1.5 trillion they budgeted? But they add this very last minute provision which surely raises that tab. What did they remove to pay for it?
1
On January 1, I am going to push REALLY hard for my employer to re-hire me as a contractor instead. Even with the double-FICA penalty, I will come out way ahead. Also, more bartering. Web design in exchange for restaurant meals, haircuts, and anything else I can get. We can bemoan the corrupt Washington swamp all we want but, at the end of the day, if you can't beat them, join them! Other middle class people should consider doing the same. It's no longer in anyone's interest to play by the rules of a rigged system.
Don’t let your outrage over this fraudulent tax overhaul bill cloud your vision: It’s just the first step in a one-two punch designed to undo the New Deal. The $1.7 trillion deficit it creates will be the justification for savaging Social Security, Medicare that benefit the middle class, and safety net programs that sustain the unemployed poor and working poor. This is war.
3
The crude insensitivity of those who are living like the Royalty of the pre democracy world is difficult to understand. Are these individuals simply dead to the facts of human suffering, of people living on trash dumps, of hundreds and hundreds of millions of children with no education, let alone shoes?, of people dying by the millions from preventable disease, from disease brought on by the pollution of the environment.
What kind of blood runs in the veins of such people. Ar they actually Human beings?
How is it possible the another 10 million dollars will make a difference to one's comfort or self respect when one already has hundreds of millions of dollars.
What on Earth can one do with 1 billion dollars that would make him or her feel better or be a better person than one who is raising a family of 5 on a hundred thousand a year?
Is it really about owning a bigger house on the beach or a Tesla rather than a Prius or a ford. Is that what life is about to such individuals? Do they really think they are superior beings because they have physical wealth. Do the love their children and each other more deeply, see beauty better, experience Joy more fully ? Really!
1
History repeats itself. The Revolutionary War was partially sparked by the cry - "Taxation Without Representation". King George of England ignored the protests of American colonists. Our forefathers parted company with England.
Today we have an almost identical situation. We of course don't want a rebellion involving violence. But, it is clearly time to "part company" with the Republican Party. So, take note of the upcoming votes in the Senate and the House of Representives - roll call, votes individually recorded. (Unless McConell finds a way to take a voice vote only. Believe me, he and his team mates would love to do that). Then widespread dissemination by our media and free press of who voted "Yes/Aye". There folks lie the swamp monsters we need to send into full and everlasting retirement from our government. It will take campaign donations folks. Citizens United has to be overcome. So get your wallets ready for elections in 2018 and 2020. Senate and House Democratic Campaign Committees and Emilys LIst. Time to take back our Democracy.
A third generation Democrat, who was brought up to believe that all Americans deserved an equal education, healthcare and basic nutrition, I am sick to my stomach. My parents set the example that while we were comfortable, it was our duty to ensure those with less had the same opportunity to succeed. That was being a responsible American! This selfish, greedy bill is a travesty and I am despondent over the country my grandchildren will grow up in.
4
Every single Republican on this planet from 'he who shall not be named' right on down to your next door neighbor is as evil as the day is long. This is the tax scam they all, every one of them, have been dreaming about for decades. Now they get to commit the greatest frontal assault on blue state in our history. Republicans have declared war on every last blue state worker in the country. They seek to destroy our economies with this horrid bill. Then they will finish shredding the social safety in the name of fiscal responsibility. But what they really want is to kill us by denying us the Medicare and Social Security we paid for! They want to poor to die off by starving them and denying them and their children medical care! We must rise up and take to the streets, stage days of national strikes. This must not stand!
RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE!
8
And in other news, dog bites man. Details at 11.
Who expected anything less? I'm sure all the unemployed steelworkers and coal miners and . . . and . . . are just chomping at the bit to test their new found financial independence.
1
Have the Trumpeteers figured out this game, yet? I live in Trump country in NC. I assure you they have not.
2
This is a sick and criminal bill , enriching without shame Trump, his cronies and Republican lawmakers .
Sure as the rich gorge themselves on the banquet of benefits given to them a few crumbs may fall from their table to the so many struggling beneath them but those crumbs may be soon eaten up by the vermin, inflation , higher interest rates.
The Republicans believe cutting corporate rates to 21 percent will ensure we can compete internationally , they forget we also need a compeititive skilled labor force , we have 6 million un filled skilled positions , this will put pressure on wages and the incentive for industry to relocate to less expensive countries.
We need an efficient health care system , we need an efficient updated infrastructure, a compeititive education system , none of this is provided for in the tax bill.
Our Founding Fathers in the preamble to the constitution said we should secure the blessings of liberty to posterity.
Instead this Bill shackles our children to the curses of higher debt, lower growth,higher interests rates , a crumbling infrastructure including education and a high cost , ineffective health care system
I hope the electorate wake up to this criminal scam and vote out the Republicans next November and reverse the damage before it's too late
3
It proves they (congress and senate) are the "king's" men!
3
America voted for these people.
It was well known that Trump has failed at business over and over. We knew Trump university was a fraud. We knew his tax plan was to get rid of the estate tax to save his children money. Don Jr told the nation that the Trump organization took business loans from Russians. Everyday on the campaign trail Trump talked about a rigged electoral system, doing the work of Putin by calling into question the legitimacy of democracy.
We heard Trump admit out if his own mouth that he is a sexual predator. AND MILLIONS OF AMERICANS VOTED FOR HIM. The majority of white women voted for him.
The GOP trashed the Constitution, disrespected President Obama and the electoral majority in both the popular vote and the Electoral College and stole a Supreme Court seat. Yet, the good people of Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states sent these lying thieves back to the Senate. Now they are about to line the pockets of themselves and their rich donors, give working-class people a few extra dollars, and run commercials telling us to be grateful.
We get the government we deserve.
7
"This claim has always been “fake news.”"
Please. No circumlocution. It is a LIE. But that is what Trump does best.
4
I'm shocked a millionaire politician would do something that he would benefit from, this must be fake news!
4
Corker's price for his vote is Secretary of State. He will succeed Rex in a few weeks. Count on it. The #CorkerKickback is simply gravy for him.
5
Don't forget, they are eager to break the deficit ceiling so they can dismantle Social Security and Medicare.
And if you are drawing down your savings (whatever you might have) and/or breaking your back paying for health care for your older family or sick people you care about, that money is no longer deductible. It's like being double taxed on health care at the end of your life. Death camps indeed ...
8
Hard to tell what is more insulting, the use of power for personal enrichment, or that personal enrichment being carried out so openly and brazenly with such a celebratory air of entitlement by its GOP practitioners, who seem to no longer care to conceal the contempt in which they hold the very people who put them in power, as they turn their burglary into law, their crime into legality.
The Democratic Party is not perfect, but it is the only viable option to stop this legalized raping and pillaging of our once-great nation by the Republican Party, which has morphed from a reputable organization of conservative intellectuals into a thuggish band of street-fighting white-collar criminal extremists.
8
Corker and Collins were fooled, bribed or pressured. Whichever they choose, they lacked in smarts, in honorableness or courage. They come out of this much diminished. With their "victory", they carry a stain on their career.
7
Have a look. Corker is not honest: https://rockytoppolitics.com/2016/11/18/the-corruption-of-bob-corker-par...
4
These republicons are no better than common looters in the night. It's time for the 99% to rise up, enough is enough!
10
As usual, the GOP is showing complete disregard for the people, and as usual their supporters, most of them middle class Americans will cheer them on thinking that this tax cut will help them. They have not yet learned to read between the lines.
God help us from the greedy, and the stupid.
7
Middle-class voters sipped their Kool Aids while the great white knight, Sir Trump, and his merry men chugged swamp-water fizzies on the north side of the tracks. Lo! Now those faithful followers shall cry "wee-wee!" all the way home as the trickle-down swamp water dampens their paths.
3
Whenever the Republican party does something immoral, dishonest and corrupt, I thank my fellow White Americans! We would not be in this predicament if the majority of Whites had not voted for this party or the sexual predator in the White House.
5
Since the early 1980s the pendulum of prosperity has swung relentlessly toward those at the top of the income scale. It has been spouted repeatedly by the late Ronald Reagan’s beatification committee in Congress that he was the savior of the West against the cruel, tyrannical Soviet Union. I beg to differ. He was the typical George W. Bust type of useful idiot. He read the scripts handed to him, was shown flash cards of his hosts as his plane came in to land in countries he knew or cared nothing of and the rest was down to luck. He was lucky. So were we. With the current occupant of The White House we may not be so lucky this time. Reagan and Bush II may not have been intelligent, but they understood noblesse oblige and that the office of the presidency was bigger than them. The current occupant is an uneducated braggart with a bully’s moral vacuity; a very dangerous combination.
6
Don the con, lying through his teeth again. He makes sarah palin look like Einstein.
4
Any legislator who votes for this sham needs to be shamed and defeated at the polls.
These idiots, veritable enemies of the People, who are our employees and who get paid royally with outlandish pay and benefits to boot, are supposed to do a job FOR us not ON us.
7
One of the aspects of this legislation that is disgusting is that of reform; there appears to be none. Closure of corporate tax loopholes: none. Crackdown on overseas corporate and individual tax avoidance: none. Concern about the deficit: none. Creating new sources of revenue to offset the tax cuts: none. Drain the swamp? Fat chance suckers/voters. Trump said during the campaign, "What have you got to lose?"; it turns out to be a lot. Decency, integrity, intelligence, and kindness are just a few of the things we've lost during the first 11 months of this ludicrous administration.
5
New sources of revenue: pennies from the poor, your elder's health care, education, etc. They're coming down hard on working stiffs who actually need the money.
2
The sheer stupidity of the people who support Trump, Corker and the Republicans is breathtaking and depressing!
Even with clear evidence of "feather nesting" by these immoral hypocrites and extreme liars, the Rubes continue on with their moronic thinking.
A glimpse of their future can be foreseen by reading Germany's 1930's history!
8
Could we see the tax returns of every senator and representative voting for this tax bill? I would like to see how they benefit.
14
The lack of hearings and lack of input from Democrats is also shocking for this bill.
Now let's compare it to the bill that Republicans spent years condemning as "created in secret, closed doors" by Democrats: the Affordable Care Act ( also known as Obamacare):
In 2010, the Senate health committee spent nearly 60 hours spread over 13 days marking up the legislation that would become the ACA.
The Senate Finance Committee had 53 meetings about the ACA and took eight days to markup of the bill--the longest markup period of any bill for the committee in more than two decades. The committee considered 130 amendments and held 79 roll-call votes.
There were 44 hearings and public events about the plan in the Senate alone.
And finally ACA bill was signed into law in March 2010, 8 months after it emerged from committee.
So much for Republican claims that the legislative process of creating this new tax bill was no different than what happened with Obamacare, which they despised.
This time : zero hearings, zero input from Democrats, and gigantic rush to pass the windfall for the 1% before Xmas.
Unreal for a democracy, and frankly not at what we expect in America.
Shame, shame on those Republican Scrooges.
13
isn't this real estate tack-on to the tax debacle a bribe?
isn't bribing public officials illegal?
9
It's almost as if the Republicans expect to be gone in 2020.
I read Ezra Klein's piece in Vox that says they don't fear voters 'cause their districts are safe, but that is belied by the Virginia and Alabama results. It is possible to anger the public enough to take action.
Maybe they suspect that voters just don't care about tax cuts for the rich/corporations the way the media does. But that position has polled badly for years so will make instant ad fodder for Democrats.
It smells of take the money and run. It will take a new, Democratic Congress and new president years to undo the damage this tax cut has done. Meanwhile, the Kochs and Adelsons and Mercers will be out paying for lies in the media and trying to buy Democrats.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could see justice -- personal, harsh justice -- done to these thieves? I'd like to see them swinging in baskets from towers at the crossroads.
9
The Republicans know that the tax bill will be a disaster, but that after they are thrown out of office the Democrats will have to deal with the resulting mess, and will be blamed for the pain. To take a page from Gompers, When asked what the Plutocracy wants, they will say "more".
6
When faced with a problem, Trump just lies, but he does so with such boldness as to leave people dumbfounded. He has said repeatedly that the tax bill does not benefit him and claimed that it hurts his income. This tax bill has such enormous benefits for Trump and corporate America that it could be viewed as the single reason, aside from sheer ego, for Trump to run for president in the first place. This is one of the most bold, naked thefts in American history.
We need to transition from a debt society to an investment nation. This applies to personal matters (credit cards, mortgages, payday loans, car title loans, etc) as well as to the national government. When the economy is running along decently, we need to invest more to build for the future. Most of corporate America and mega-rich America do not care about the future. It is all about what you can get right now and who you have to push aside to get it.
The rapacious attitudes of the present do not reflect our history. Our nation was built by people with a vision for the future only thinking about the present moment.
Wall Street is almost completely in charge of corporate America, eagerly taking down any CEO or stock value that doesn't please them, making money by "going short" on non-favored stocks. Unhappy with the limitations of that power, they have now sunk their teeth deep into government. No wonder there is a market rally. They now see, with the tax cuts for the mega rich, they can get almost anything.
8
This tax law confirms that we are now in the presence of and subject to an Oligarchy. I am sickened by our leadership.
7
Self-dealing should be prohibited. No, wait, it is. Just not for our politicians.
7
How many seniors are getting the same info we just got from social security -- minimal increase eaten away completely by higher Medicare Part B? Now Paul Ryan is licking his chops to axe both because they are wicked entitlements, and at least in this case deficits do matter!
It may be news to Ryan, but we Boomers paid into the system our entire working lives. The last major tax overhaul included raising FED/FICA to keep these programs solvent.
These programs represent, at least for now, a just society for seniors (and the disabled). But the Republicans couldn't care less.
6
Yes, all they see is a big kitty of your and my money that they can loot. They want that, and more to the point, the people who pay for their elections want it. Shameless.
1
This "last-minute addition" giving "huge tax breaks to elected officials who own a lot of income-producing real estate — officials like Donald Trump and, yes, Bob Corker" ........
(Noted by today's Op-Ed from Economist Paul Krugman.)
The above is what "tax relief" is all about in the final analysis.
Total corruption, by way of the GOP and its many operatives, has arrived in the Halls of the Congress and the brand name of Trump can now be emblazoned on the Capitol Dome - writ large.
The building is now just another one of Trump's many real estate holdings.
I wonder how many bedroom suites the building can accommodate when it becomes just another Trump Hotel.
I wonder also who is actually responsible for the "last minute" insertion of this provision favoring real estate companies "whose owners will get sharply lower tax rates".
Now who could that possibly be ....... hiding behind the drapers in the Oval Office.
Impeachment is imperative and Lock Him Out !! must be the only end result.
The elections in 2018 must throw these dastards out of office.
We the electorate must cause this result to happen before total corruption and greed finally become the alternate end result and serve to destroy the nation.
5
The spirit of James Buchanan, our 15th president, must be overjoyed at the fact that as every day goes by, the legacy of his presidency gets lifted further and further from the bottom ... now and permanently occupied by our 45th president.
3
This is all relentlessly bad. I think what demoralizes me the most, is the unavoidable truth that there are so many public servants willing to embrace corruption for personal gain. Even pinpricks of light, such as Bob Corker, got snuffed out. This holiday season is so dark for me. It’s not any single detail (there are too many) - rather it is the fading of hope and the loss of my faith in our supposedly superior humanity. Despair is too weak a word.
4
The NYT, WAPO as well as local papers and TV stations could do us all a great civil service by comparing our Congressional officials' current tax bills with the projected bills for 2018.
We are entitled to know the income of these scoundrels now and it would not be too difficult to estimate how much of an ongoing present they have given themselves.
PS. And while at it, take Trump's claim of how rich he is and see how he benefits (into eternity for his greedy family). Lie #gazillion: it will cost him SO-OOOOOOO much!
Yeah, ditto for his cabinet.
4
I'm just waiting til the United States are bankrupt, completely.
3
Any Republican and Conservative who "feathers" his or her "own nest" with tax and/or other legislation is immoral, corrupt, and criminal.
Plain, simple, and not subject to relative morality or negotiation. It is also apparently not subject to exclusion because money-making is not subject to any of the laws of morality and ethics -- according to Conservatives.
According to Conservatives, it's okay to hypocritically violate their own decades-aged "deficit scolds" who have condemned deficit spending -- as long as it results in massive tax cuts to the tenth of 1% and the CEOs of megacorporations.
According to Conservatives, it is then morally justifiable to mandate crippling cuts in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid -- all because "there isn't any more money for these 'Welfare' [sic! -- very sic!!!] {Note the deliberate, mendacious misnomer!} programs -- no money because they deliberately squandered $1.5-plus Billion on Tax Cuts for those plundering plutocrats who don't need it.
This is Conservativism. Know it by what it says, by what it does. Know it well. When you hear people call themselves Conservatives, remind them of the deeds of those who do their bidding. Conservativism has no conscience. Conservativism is immoral and cruel. Conservativism is all lies.
Prove me wrong!
5
The Constitution, Senate Ethics Committee and Supreme Court may save the day.
1) Constitution: its preamble states that we the people created the Constitution to establish Justice and promote the General Welfare, among other reasons. Note General Welfare.
"Section 5, Part 2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members..."
2) On to the Senate Ethics Committee, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, Rule 37, part 4:
"4. No Member, officer, or employee shall knowingly use his official position to introduce or aid the progress or passage of legislation, a principal purpose of which is to further only his pecuniary interest, only the pecuniary interest of his immediate family, or only the pecuniary interest of a limited class of persons or enterprises, when he, or his immediate family, or enterprises controlled by them, are members of the affected class."
Each Member who voted for the tax plan is part of "the affected class" Their votes are a clear conflict of interest.
Ethics committees won't now act to enforce this rule, but they must receive and record conflict of interest resolutions from Democrats.
3) Supreme Court: under the power of Judicial Review, if a law is not in accord with the Constitution, they can overturn it. The Constitution gives taxation to Congress, BUT, it also assures Justice and the General Welfare for all Americans.
The tax plan does neither, and, to the Court, "an act of the Legislature repugnant to the Constitution is void."
3
Exactly as designed: punish blue state Democrats, give the wealthy a huge tax cut. Would you believe I still have arch-conservative WORKING CLASS friends defending his bill? No wonder Republicans get away with this garbage.
11
We can't believe a word that comes out of Trump's lying mouth. I have voted for my last Republican.
16
What is striking is how easily critiques of this tax cut remark on effects of the law written in to take place ten years down the road. In other words, no mid term congressional realignment in favor of the Democrats (presumably next year if history is a guide) leading to repeal before then even enters into consideration. We are at the point where we take the utter uselessness of the Democratic Party fully for granted.
4
Somewhere somewhere in all of this are high crimes and misdemeanors.
6
Well, Corker put on a good show for a while, but when the bribe came through he folded. What a hypocrite!
I almost feel sorry for the people who depended on CHIP and Social Security but voted for these republican creeps.
I wonder how will the republicans convince them that that it was democrats that ruined their life?
10
the true deplorables are in congress...
12
If this bill should pass, and I expect that it will, the United States should no longer be defined as a "republic." A true republic, as defined by Webster's, is one where "a political order in which the supreme power is held by a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them." Wikipedia states it in simpler terms: a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter," not the private concern or property of rulers. The GOP has named themselves after this noble idea of a representative form of government. At one time before 1980 I believed that to be true but that notion began its long demise with the election of Ronald Reagan, the rise of the so-called Moral Majority, and the advancement of flawed economics (trickle-down, supply side, etc.). The Republicans have ceased to be the representatives of the people. We've known this for some time and the passage of this bill will only confirm it, once and for all.
I believe we need to update the Pledge of Allegiance: "...and to the oligarchy for which it stands..." Merry Christmas, indeed.
17
Extremely disappointed in our Senator Collins. If she does vote in favor, which she gives every indication of doing, I wouldn’t vote for her for tree warden.
30
Aside from the fact that this is just another example of Republican highway robbery by its cutting taxes on Corporations and Real Estate, which also greatly enhances the fortunes of this president -- isn't it time to bring up the Emolument's Clause again?
17
The republican party now wears their ski masks in the light of day. There is no pretense anymore on working for the people. They work for themselves and their rich backers.
You ( the poor and middle class taxpayer get perhaps a few hundred bucks ( if that ) in the first year or two, but gradually you, your children, their children and so on will be become bankrupt and indentured ( just to interest on the debt incurred ) to what republicans are doing now.
This is what you voted for people, ( at least a clear minority of you )
16
I think the Republicans plan to give most Americans a single lump of coal for Xmas.
13
well in all fairness, trump did promise to bring the coal back...I guess this is what he meant.
Obama would have said, "This is not who we are!" It is still NOT who we are, but it is definitely who Republicans in Congress are. The worst of the worst. Able to look at themselves in the mirror to pass this while not funding CHIP??? THAT is an atrocity that ranks up there with other worldwide humanitarian atrocities they would otherwise condemn.
22
Here's Bob Corker, swamp creature: https://rockytoppolitics.com/2016/11/18/the-corruption-of-bob-corker-par... "The Corruption of Bob Corker. Part 1.5" Excerpt:
"n his new position, Corker became privy to exclusive information that was voluminous and frightening. By the summer of 2007 word of what was happening began to leak out from behind the closed doors of the offices where Corker had been allowed into. And just before the unsuspecting American public caught on, Corker did something bad. Very, very bad.corker-campaign-2006
"Just before all hell broke loose in the housing market, Bob Corker took a curious but revealing action: He completely reversed his financial position which was heavily vested in companies that benefit when real estate rises, and instead put millions into investments that would go up as real estate and the country was going down. In short:
"Bob Corker bet against America."
So, crash of 2008, insider dealing, why isn't there an orange suit?
22
Link, stolen from another commenter (hope they don't mind), it's a keeper ...
8
Shameful.
At last, the mask is off. No reason to wear a mask when robbing the people has no adverse consequences.
Even Republican “men of principle”, like Corker, can be bought.
To vote for this bill and sign it into legislation, Trump and the Republicans voting for this have abandoned all pretense of supporting the following:
Fiscal responsibility
Deficit reduction
Balancing the budget
Protecting the social safety net
Tax reform
Simplifying the tax code
Not favoring Special Interests
Draining the swamp
Now we know the true colors of Senators like Collins, Corker, Flake, etc. If Corker and Flake are resigning with hopes of running for higher office, they can forget it. Ditto for Rubio, Rand Paul, etc.
They know that to get the donor and party support for future runs, they have to support this affront to their fundamental principles.
This will be their Scarlet Letter.
11
There is no and has not been a republican "man of principle" since Ike who I suspect wasn't adverse to making money off the knowledge gained in office.
Welcome to Potterville! This is truly the first holiday season where George Bailey' "alternate" life becomes reality for all of us. We are on our way back to slum tenements owned by the likes of Trump and Kushner. This season, when you hear a bell ring, it's them sacking in another billion from our child care assistance, social security and health care. What a miserable life this has become....
25
"Welcome to Potterville! This is truly the first holiday season where George Bailey' "alternate" life becomes reality for all of us. We are on our way back to slum tenements owned by the likes of Trump and Kushner. This season, when you hear a bell ring, it's them sacking in another billion from our child care assistance, social security and health care. What a miserable life this has become...."
Spot on. The new adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life" could star Barack Obama as George Bailey, a man who sees his world turned upside down when all his contributions to building a better America have been erased by immoral Republican plutocrats.
"Every time you hear a bell ring it means an accountant has found another loophole in the tax law for wealthy people."
This needs to be a skit on Saturday Night Live.
2
We will now have a government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.
Looking forward to filing my tax return on a postcard sized form like Paul Ryan promised.
The whirring sound you hear is from the founding fathers spinning in their graves.
18
We're hearing a lot about Democrats' rise in recent polling, but to be wary as Democrats need to be FOR something - not just against Trump and the right wing's maniacal and mendacious philosophies. If you believe in basic principles of a health society like free speech, equal pay, good jobs, affordable healthcare, race and gender equality, the rule of law, and helping those who can't help themselves, then you are FOR something - because Trump and the rest of his crane-ball wrecking administration and supporters certainly aren't - they're just getting away with making people THINK that believing in human decency for all ISN'T being FOR something. This is how low they have degraded our once great nation. Fight back everyone! Fight for our Democracy!!!
12
Although tangential somewhat, let's be honest that high end real estate is one of the biggest hot beds of money laundering especially by the Russians.
Now that there will be American treasure looted to these businesses, the GOP has truly made it much easier for laundering these finances.
18
The Dems are hyperventilating over this major tax reform increasing the deficit. At worst, assuming little or no stimulative growth, the deficit increases by $1.5T OVER 10 YEARS. Obama exploded the debt 100% from $10T to $20T over 8 years. That's more then the cumulative increase of every President from Washington to Bush. And that includes massive debt growth under FDR during the greatest recession and World War II combined. This major reform's $1.5 T over 10 years beats $20 T over 8. Troll on my Dem Friends, a 6,000 point increase in the Dow drowns out your noise.
2
The stock market does nothing for the economy. Shareholders benefit. Are you investing? Most average American's are living check to check with nothing left over for savings, retirement or investing. Wages haven't increased in decades and we've seen that when Corporate America gets a raise, they offshore their money in tax havens. They'll be doing more of that since they've defunded the IRS and it never has enough to go after big business, that's why they are always scrounging around for change, from the average taxpayers. The IRS should walk out in protest of this call to action from the R's, until they are funded and can handle this monstrosity. Average taxpayers won't have much to add to the federal coffers and those who do can hide behind the new tax law and their multitude of accountants. And we all know the tax law won't create new jobs, Corporate fat cats will take their gains in bonuses and stock options and higher wages. Not enough money to give raises to workers, note stock market rises when companies cut their employment roles as cost-cutting measures and downsizing.
How much did the DOW increase under Obama? If you knew would you be embarrassed?
Fact it has been increasing since Obama pulled the country out of the Ditch.
8 minus 18 equals 10 .
The first month of this administration it was funny to hear people that never owned a share of stock talk about the DOW.
The stock market is the canary in the mine. It is an indicator of the public's confidence in the future of the economy. You're cohorts certainly have no problem taking credit for the market increase while Obama reigned? The rest of your comment is hyperbole and hyperventilation but thanks nonetheless.
Anyone who thought Trump was for the little man was delusional. As he said he lies poor people he just would not hire them - so much for the land of opportunity. Instead - he hires the incompetent- the only qualification - loyalty - unconditional support for his wild accusations and lies. This “tax bill” is a money grab from the man who ridiculed the tax code that allows him to wiggle out of paying taxes. Now it’s law and those who pander to him achieved their goals - they can retire and live off our hard work and retirement (watch them cut Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid next year - which comes out of our pay checks). Corker among others can now retire with our money.
10
It is simply breathtaking to see how quickly and relatively easily America can be looted under terrible executive branch management.
16
To most reasonable people the truth is the truth and a lie is a lie. To the Republicans in Washington a lie is the truth. It's really simple to understand their rationalization process.
6
This column needs to be boiled down to bullet points and plastered on billboards - recited on radio and TV public service announcements - and printed up in full page newspaper ads.
Trump is stealing from both GOP amd Democrat low and middle income voters - and that message needs to get out there to combat every lie that calls this monstrosity a tax CUT for anyone other than very wealthy people and businesses.
11
Not surprisingly, Senator Corker has been revealed as a modern day John Dillinger,albeit without the gun. Corker is profiting handsomely from this tax bill ,as are Jared Kushner and Hair Furor Trump, and he is able to do so without walking into a bank in broad daylight with a machine gun. Why ? - I believe the lack of ethics by all involved in drafting this bill and influencing this bill allows Corker, Trump and Kushner to do so without the need for machine guns. The bill was rushed through by Ryan, Brady,McConnell and Toomey, without any input solicited from Democrats, no public hearings, last minute amendments , and no real opportunity for the public to learn what is in the bill. Dillinger and his ilk would be envious of the opportunities that Corker, Kushner and Hair Furor have to enrich themselves without the use of guns.
Anyone who is surprised by Corker or Hair Furor's feathering their nest at the American people's expense has not been watching what is going on in DC the past year.
8
This bill is going to sink American Dream, by 2025 or so US citizens will be begging help from China, maybe expatriating in Chinese factories overseas to get a job. Then Trumpism will show all its impact.
4
All of this and my tax return will fit on an index card!
Unbelievable.
5
This tax measure kills two Repub birds with one stone...increases income for big corporations and starves the government of funds that are now going to programs that the Repubs would love to cut back, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
8
You know what the worst part really is? Even after this passes and all the lower class Trump voters start to get genuinely hurt by this, they'll be convinced by their right-wing media outlets that this is somehow the fault of the Democrats. The cycle will never end. Poor, under-educated people will keep voting against Democrats out of fear (thanks Hannity and Friends) and things will just keep getting worse and worse.
I'm not saying this to be dramatic (I swear), but this is how first world countries begin to lose their status as such.
7
HonestTruth – you're right, of course. Underfunding public education is definitely part of the plan. Why does DT love the poorly educated? Because they'll believe anything he, and Fox news, tells them.
It seems the US has already slipped from first-world status.
Much as I agree with your comments, I think your math on the comparison to CHIP is off by a factor of 10. If CHIP costs $14 billion a year times 10 years, that’s $140 billion, vs, the $445 billion that the pass through will cost. A factor of 2.9, not 29.
1
As much as I would (maybe) enjoy an extra $800, do I really want it if it hurts those dependent on Medicaid or other benefits? There is no way that this bill will garner enough income to keep the government running. The solution is to eliminate the help that the poor receive to put food on their tables and pay the rent, while President Trump and his wealthy friends laugh all the way to the bank? Wouldn't it be great if the Republicans began thinking of real people instead of their ever growing bank accounts?
After all, aren't we are the ones who keep the economy moving.
3
This bill will add over a trillion to the debt, which will allow the republicans to scream that cuts for social services must be done (but never the military.). They will go after SS and medicare under the guise of deficit control.
And this tax cut will probably be only the 1st if they can stay in power.
1
Come on, folks. Give Corker a break, for crying out loud. We all know he'll be out of job soon. He had no choice but to support the tax cut. How can we expect him to live off of his $45 million net worth without it?
7
Senator Corker figures prominently in this article. As our local Tennessean newspapaer points out today - He did not ask for the loophole, is unaware as to how it got in, and he sought clarification about it from Sen. Hatch. However, as the Tennessean also points out - this illustrates a much more worrisome trend......that members of the US Senate really have no idea of what is in this bill. For this reason alone, I hope that Senators like Senator Corker vote "no".
8
Oh dear Rufus, Corker knew, he knew. This was his retirement gift. Sure beats the proverbial gold watch Americans no longer receive when they are showed the gate, the modern day version of respectful and timely retirement.
Members of Congress focus on only one issue—how to get re-elected. Every proposal and action is measured against that goal. The tax bill is a good example. The Republican party and the nation are led by a wealthy developer whose social circle is a ring of multi-millionaires. The party itself is controlled by a handful of wealthy donors and this tax bill is the Republicans gift to them and their buddy in the Oval Office. The bill is wrapped in promises of a trickle down to the middle class that even economists cannot explain. Most polled Americans see one clear image – the rich get richer and, at best, a some of us get a little Christmas tip that vanishes in seven years. Oh yes, and to prevent the country going deeper into debt, we cut programs like children’s’ health care. Seriously! Does anyone think that’s a good idea? It's about time we elect responsible adults to Congress who can see beyond their own noses and do what's right for all Americans.
5
Government of, by and for the Trump Crime Family and Corker. I never expected more from Trump. Everything he does is for himself. I am however extremely disappointed in Corker. For a brief moment I dared to think better if him.
5
If he signs this bill, djt will have lined his/his family's pockets vastly more than any action than any previous president of the United States, and all of it from the pockets of the "middle class,", Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security recipients, a generation of taxpayers, as well as anyone who expects basic services from the government (roads, parks, environment, research, etc)
Conartist In Chief.
6
J. Edgar Hoover used to say there was no such thing as "organized crime." If there was a scintilla of doubt left about this notion, this corrupt Congress and its Billionaire Preservation and Protection Act sure shreds that fairy tale. I have more respect for a common pickpocket than these servants of the donor class.
3
"Rational self-interst." Ayn Rand
"Only the rich deserve love." Ayn Rand
"Government is for takers." Ayn Rand
"Created a borderless stateless oligarchy and remove the wealth from the undeserving." Mercer-Koch
6
It is easily condensed into this: Those who have, get; those who get, keep; those who get and keep want and take yours.
3
One would like to believe we will no longer give ear to Republican deficit scolds. We would be wrong.
3
The Obama administration's attempt to pass a bill funding infrastructure rehabilitation, which would have created jobs and improved business conditions, was defeated by the Republicans crying national debt; now it looks like the infrastructure won't even be addressed, unless Trump uses it as an excuse to cut Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, as he decries China's unfair business practices, the USA pays China annually its interest on its holdings of a quarter of the national debt...
3
Any tax change goal should have been to balance the budget and try to pay down the debt....20 trillion in debt is just not away. Since this tax cut is designed to add to the debt, the sixth extinction may include us.
We endure the continual blare from proponents that their tax cuts will fuel a bump to the economy, offsetting the revenues being cut. Most economists rebut this assertion, saying it is plainly false.
I'm no economist, but it seems plain that the rapacious tax cuts in Kansas proved the experts right. The policy was a disaster. Just ask Sam Brownback how well his plan to grow the state's economy by cutting taxes worked.
That proves well enough for me what a train wreck congress is about to cause.
2
In most democratic countries of the world, this sort of outright corruption-politicians voting to enrich themselves personally-is illegal. There are insufficient checks and balances, ethics laws etc in the American political system.
3
It would be helpful for the New York Times to actually report (or even just ask) each of the Republicans voting for this tax scam how much they will benefit from the real estate loophole, ending AMT, the estate tax, etc. etc. etc. And when they claim that it will unleash phenomenal growth, ask when that has ever happened, but on the other hand, ask what happens when the stock market bubble bursts, or when seniors in NY, NJ, CA, MA can't afford their homes and can't sell them either, or how this tax plan will function in the next recession, or where the money will come from for the $300 billion just to rebuild from 2017's climate disasters, or where the $1 trillion will come from for infrastructure, why they haven't reauthorized CHIP, and how much they expect to cut from Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid, food stamps and education, or what the impact will be when millions no longer have access to health care, and what that will mean for insurance premiums as well as the viability of hospitals. I see the analysis, but I never see Congress members asked specific questions.
4
It has been written that Donald Trump was the Trojan Horse used by the Republicans to get whatever they want. Well, here we are. Trump has pushed through promised deregulation, will sign anything the Republicans send him, and say anything they have ever wanted. The only winners here are the majority in Congress, POTUS, and lobbyists. What good to the working class comes from this bill? To those who honestly believe the stock market's rise is going to lead to better wages and a better economy, please double check with the experts. And to start deconstructing the Affordable Care Act by passing bills written on cocktail napkins is unhealthy for people and the country.
2
I guess we should ignore all the deficit nonsense coming from the Republican party all these years. I know I will when it comes to the next debate over entitlements. 46 weeks until midterms and the Trump referendum.
This is what it looks like when the rich declare war on the poor. No guns, yet, but a systematic theft from those who struggle to get by from those that already have it all. "Let them it cake."
The perfect recipe for civil conflict.
2
The very sad truth is that most, if not all, of these supposed "representatives of the people" haven't taken the time to read and understand this legislation. It isn't possible for them to have done so. Hearings and debate should be the order of business. All working men and women should be frightened. Even the most astute subject matter expert would have a devil of time becoming well informed on such complex legislation in this short period of time since the bill was finally revealed from the Republican chamber of horrors.
1
Let's see how many town hall meetings these GOPers will hold to tout their amazing "Tax Cuts for the Rich" bill which the vast majority of Americans (66%) vehemently oppose.
I guess, with all their newly acquired wealth from the tax cuts they gave to themselves, they just failed to recall that they are our "public servants" and we put them in office to represent us.
The Greedy Old Plutocrats just forgot.
Well, we will just have to remind them, big time, in November.
1
I can't help thinking that the Dems aren't putting up as intense a fight against this law as they could because they are confident it's going to blow up in the Repubs faces in the elections next year. What they're doing now is almost perfunctory but will make for good "I told you so" sound bites in next year's campaign.
It is hard to not feel a bit of schadenfreude when it comes to the victims of corrupt and overspending blue state governments and the impact of the new tax bill that will hit them. For most of us, especially those of us who live in low tax states where we jail corrupt state officials and don't tolerate spending vast amounts of money paying former government employees who don't work for the government anymore (there is way too much of that everywhere), it is going to be a pretty sweet deal. Oh well, when things change, there are winners and losers. Perhaps the residents of NY, NJ, Conn, CA and Illinois will demand some fiscal sanity from their State governments in the future. But we all know that won't happen, don't we? In the business community in which I work, life is good again, people are confident again and everything is getting better. But please, please you blue staters: Don't come to Florida. There are too many of you here already.
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve never had the pleasure of living in a state where tax dollars actually do something. The fact is, the people from the states you’re getting such ghoulish delight lecturing to pull double duty by funding not only their own state policies but also those federal programs that the “taxation is theft” block rely on to not starve.
Our schools are worth being proud of. We have state parks and local green spaces that benefit our communities. Stable jobs with good wages come to our states because of the investments that our tax dollars make toward education and infrastructure. All this and still we send out money to fund federal programs at a rate far above what we get back in return.
And the “reward” for all of this is being treated even more blatantly like ATMs for the red states while sanctimonious drones try to lecture us. Think very carefully about who actually needs who.
Tim, Californians are not rushing to FL. So no need to roll up the welcome mat for s. As far as our economy-- on our own we are # 6 in the world. Sorta dwarfs your home state economy of retirees and Disney World, a few orange groves and not much more, right?
2
Conmen con. This tax bill is the exact opposite of what Trump promised on the campaign trail--a classic bait and switch. It stuns me that so many of his middle and working class supporters still are with him; still believe his lies rather than the plain facts.
Turning this around is going to take persistent grassroots action. I hope resisters don't tired. The road ahead is a long one.
3
There's a reason people like Jeff Flake and Bob Corker are voting for this bill despite their supposed past concerns about deficits, and beyond the windfall Corker will receive. They're both leaving Congress, and thus need to grease the palms of the people who will be paying them in the private sector to lobby their former colleagues. What other explanation could there possibly be for their support of a bill that so clearly does the kind of damage to our future financial health they've always railed against? And now it sounds like Paul Ryan will be doing the same thing. The cynicism and greed of these people is nothing short of breathtaking.
5
The next chapter is when the baby boomers try to sell their homes, no one in the Millennial generation can afford them, but don’t worry, the white knight is coming to save you. They are the real estate Kings who will offer to take that klunker of a house off the market so you can cash out, so that you can pay your medical bills (Medicare isn’t in existence), and eek out your remaining years on the proceeds. Then, they give themselves even more tax breaks and go laughing all the way to their foreign bank.
6
After the GOP Tax scam bill passes I expect the announcements to follow for more than 100 republicans that will choose not to run in 2018 and 2020
They will ride their golden parachutes back to their districts to count their winnings and bathe in their new found wealth. We have the best government you can buy (if you are a Koch).
7
Do they know that when leave office, we can prosecute them and take all the money they feathered for conflicts of interest, dereliction and even RICA???
In Illinois we have a "governors wing" in the state prison. We can arrange something for Senators and Representatives who sold the people out. Of course, we need a "special place" for Trump and co.
4
Every single congress person who contributed to this bill is a millionaire at least two times over.
That should explain it...... or at least explain why they get the most out of it and the rest of us get stiffed.
4
Do you really believe they report their assets honestly? I doubt any of them is worth less than $10 million. It takes that kind of wealth to afford the job.
If you are angry, do something. Join Change.org, Indivisible.org or any resistance group.
Since 2000, we have witnessed a new era of political corruption that has never been seen before. We are witnessing a war on The People, our democracy and our values. Republicans have shown their disdain for The people, the rule of law, our very nation.
If you are angry, don't give up. Republicans have stacked the deck against Democrats in Congress, but we The People can reclaim our rights, values, democracy, government. We need to ACT. Get involved. Get into the streets.
3
This isn't legislation or policy. It is theft. Russia has its oligarchy; now we have ours . Perhaps the Republicans are "feathering their nests" in the likely event that they will be thrown out of office soon. Soon even Trump supporters will realize that this is what "making America great again" really means.
4
Roy Moore has been quite candid about when America was great, unlike Trump, who has no answer at all when asked. Roy pines for restoration of chattel slavery.
May I suggest a relatively easy fix to Republican corruption of the tax code? Democrats let the monstrosity pass tomorrow and immediately after Pig signs it, announce their 2018 national platform with a centerpiece of providing massive, notable tax relief to all Americans middle class and lower -- all fully paid for by tax INCREASES on the Republican Rich and their Corporate Masters. Reverse it!
11
I guess Mr. Corker's "principled" stand against deficits wasn't strong enough to resist the kickback he'll receive in his taxes.
8
Andrew Carnegie: "No idol is more debasing than the worship of money!”
But what is it that is actually debased? America, indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.
2
If we needed further confirmation that we live in a kleptocracy, we have it.
2
Sadly, I thought Corker, Collins, McCain, and Murkowski, Flake, and the others were finally starting to show some spine against the AntiChrist in the White House, but even they have a price.
Go ahead, pass the tax bill, which is so short sighted because it will only accelerate the rising anger in America against a goverment that is selling out to the highest bidder, and giving them tax breaks for it.
Are my taxes a charitable contribution?
4
Has Mr. Trump changed his residency to Florida (e. g. Mar a Lago) with the new tax bill?
3
My congratulations to President Trump and the Republican Congress: you are turning this great country into a Banana Republic. The adage of "if you want to get rich, go into government" certainly applies now.
All that's missing is the president in a general's uniform, overloaded with self-awarded medals.
3
The single issue Republican voters that place religion or hatred of Democrats above all else vote for Republicans that push bills like this through. Instead of doing the reading and finding out exactly how these bills affect them, they vote for representatives that tell them what they want to hear. Because of the uniformed voter the Founding Father established the Electoral College. Unfortunately the one time the Electoral College was truly needed they didn't do their job.
Trump and his cronies will continue to rape this country with impunity until we the voters show them the door.
2
By savagely attacking government over the last almost 40 years in a mindless sort of way, the right wing media has opened the door to this kind of corruption.
I know smart people who tell me that stuff like this tax bill is just how Washington works.
Note quite. Not normally. There is a difference between normal sausage making in politics and the awful work of this Congress.
3
Think about this terrible wealth redistribution bill in the context of the quote below and it all makes perfect sense. The following is an excerpt from a science fiction story called "Gypsy" by Carter Scholz. Consider these words in light of recent world developments — no matter how sinister and disturbing the implications:
I thought it was the leaders, the nations, the corporations, the elites, who were out of touch, who didn’t understand the gravity of our situation. I believed in the sincerity of their stupid denials – of global warming, of resource depletion, of nuclear proliferation, of population pressure. I thought them stupid. But if you judge them by their actions instead of their rhetoric, you can see that they understood it perfectly and accepted the gravity of it very early. They simply gave it up as unfixable. Concluded that law and democracy and civilization were hindrances to their continued powers. Moved quite purposely and at speed toward this dire world they foresaw, a world in which, to have the amenities even of a middle-class life – things like clean water, food, shelter, energy, transportation, medical care – you would need the wealth of a prince. You would need legal and military force to keep desperate others from seizing it. Seeing that, they moved to amass such wealth for themselves as quickly and ruthlessly as possible, with the full understanding that it hastened the day they feared.
4
The republicans used to be the party of moderate conservatives now they are looters of the national treasury.
6
Let me fix that :)
"The republicans used to be the party of moderate conservatives but since Nixon they are serial looters of the national treasury who get bolder and greedier with each robbery."
Jobs creation bill because one out of four American men are out of work. I thought we were at or near full employment according to Trump. So which is it, buddy boy?
Increasing the debt and taking money from children's' programs to further bolster the rich is the new low below the low that was, only last week, the lowest low. To what depths can this depraved government go?
4
This news is truly outrageous, and more specifics need to be published ASAP about who in Congress would benefit from the tax breaks and by what amount. Feathering their own nests is blatant corruption of the worst kind. America needs just a few politicians whose sense of morality outweighs their loyalty to their party, and we need them now.
1
On the first day of Christmas the Republicans took from us
All the money in the bank
On the second day of Christmas
Sorry Christmas has been canceled
5
Republicans not only feather their own nests, they then poop on our doorsteps and expect us to clean up after them on our dime.
7
A pox on all their houses.
8
Counting on low iq voters happy with crumbs now and a bigger tax bill later or huge cuts to entitlements for their kids. Can you say wealth disparity.
6
I can say "present hedonism" which, together with "present fatalism" describes the entire Republican perception of time.
Tax cuts and no CHIP authorization...Is this the kindhearted USA we all fancy ourselves to be?Shame, shame, shame!
8
Greed. The Grand Old Greedy is your great grandfather's GOP. Back to the gilded age of robbing barons and bread lines. Oh those pesky peasants.
6
This editorial is wrong. President Trump *has* drained the swamp. He has built a cesspool in its place. With that extra tax break helicoptered into the current infernal bill, he'll soon become the Sultan of Cesspools.
6
All Republican lawmakers including Susan Collins, Bob Corker, Ben Sasse , Flake and Lisa Murkowski are scam artist, fake , fraud and phony. I can not believe that Corker would be that selfish and greedy that being a big time deficit hawk, he is voting for this scam only to enrich himself.
9
I keep hearing that the tax plan about to be passed in Congress is a big win for the GOP. How can this be considered a win when they did not even let the other team in the gym?
8
Yes, a "victory" according to the media, Mr. Scanlon. Like this is a mere football game. It boggles the mind.
4
They have succeeded at bullying everyone in this infantile nation.
This is clearly the most corrupt and ignorant government in history. Man what a story that would make and it's true.
6
The NY Times and Democrats supported a deeply corrupt and heavily disliked H. Clinton for President in 2016. Now we all pay the price. Perhaps next time Democrats will put winning over identity politics. Democrats are part of the problem as well until they could look in the mirror and stop the race-baiting politics that they adore so much and focus on all people,not just illegal immigrants.
4
Thank you, MM. And it's still hard to find stories on the work that Bernie Sanders continues to do in the NYT.
And GOP put up a corrupt, failed business man, reality tv star with absolutely no idea what being potus is about. So what's your point?
Oh Senator Coorker, you fiscal conservative sellout. Your hypocrisy and that of Senator Flake is quite grotesque. You two could have stood up for your prepored values. You could have voted in a way that demonstrates your understanding that expanding the national debt during the financial gogo years will endanger this nation during a future economic crisis when the American government will need to use the American people credit card to stimulate the economy. you and Flake are cowards and your cowardice as put this nation at risk.
9
The worst Christmas ever for America. Doom and gloom. We’ve had horrible war, terrorism and disasters through many Presidents and administrations. This is the most miserable hopeless state for the planet and civilization and thus the worst Christmas. No God in their lives. Money money money. The most hated administration and GOP. Racist and monstrous!
11
I agree, Elias, that it is the worst in our recent HIStory. However, WW2 was far worse. The "great" depression, caused by the same kind of Robber Barons who have taken over OUR governments since Reagan, was far worse for our parents/grand parents.
The good news is that Socially Conscious Women across America are stepping up to run for office. 22,000 of them right now.
The world will change when socially conscious women and men share power equally and NOW is the time.
Meantime, join me in saying merry anti-christ-mas. Next year we will celebrate the Winter Solstice - Mother Nature's "celebration".
8
Think 2018.
6
The stock market and consumer confidence is rising along with the GDP. I hope this passes and passes in its entirety. My family and I stand to benefit from the changes and fully support the implementation.
1
Well how lovely for you. I hope that provides some comfort as you live in a country with increasingly polluted air and water, a crumbling infrastructure and millions of children who don't have adequate nutrition, education or health care.
2
I will benefit immensely from this "reform" and I find it appalling. This bill is morally reprehensible and fiscally irresponsible. Our children and grandchildren will be paying for this Congress' recklessness and I, for one, cannot imagine how anyone can celebrate this atrocity. But then again, I'm not a Republican.
I believe all these yahoos think middle class starts at $1 million. What a bunch of hypocrites. Better watch out for that karma, though.
7
It kind of does. Middle class is a life of owning a primary and vacation home probably more for renting out, having enough savings to take at least a year off work, fully insured for accidents and medical care, making a nice wage that increases ones savings with each check, Never having to worry about paying bills or buying food or crime.
Most people thinking working for a living and paying a mortgage while being two or three paychecks from utter disaster or bankruptcy is middle class, it isn't that is Working POOR.
1
The Washington Swamp is now on steroids.
8
Paul Ryan's promise: Americans will see more money in their wallets. Translation: Americans will be bought off one time while corporations get residual effect forever. Bottom Line: Economy lags because people are not educated to meet tech driven world. Corporations having more money isn't going to trickle down to empty jobs. Corporations should promise training rather than empty promise of trickle effect.
4
Even that will be illusory. When people prepare their 2018 taxes in 2019, they will find that Mnuchin's revisions to the withholding tables will leave them owing taxes.
2
Blue from Texas says, "The most amazing aspect of this boondoggle is that the disadvantaged don’t protest!"
Oh, yes, they are protesting FOR US across America, Blue. They are being arrested daily in OUR U.S. senate/house. They are being locked out in local "political" offices across America. They are outside protesting in frigid conditions in the east.
The media is not reporting it. Except Rachel Maddow (MSNBC 9 pm ET weeknights)
18
Yes she is! Every night. And next year, people will vote with their feet.
6
This legislation is the tragedy of the 2016 election. The Republicans are going to give every consideration to their already wildly over compensated fat cat buddies. The social issues that get the legions of angry Republicans voters to hate Democrats for such things as health insurance ( under the heading of welfare state pandering to the lower class, preponderantly people of color) and the minimum wage (class warfare against small business) are going to watch as the plutocrats grind their noses into the ground. It is easy to see the Republicans wanton greedy self interest in this bill and shows that the political system honors vast wealth over its citizens.
6
Trump will come to regret this when this self-dealing gets featured in the Articles of Impeachment in 2019.
4
So tired of D’s being steamrolled.
3
PLEASE write an article about just how many members of Congress have REITs. We know about Corker, and Rep. Roskam just admitted to owning one on CNN this morning. Of course, Trump and Kushners. How many others? I’m willing to bet that the number is “most, if not all.”
9
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on here!
(A croupier hands Renault a pile of money.)
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: Oh, thank you very much.
4
Let's hope the Democrats begin Repeal and Replace one minute after this thievery passes.
3
A shame and a sham. But hey - he's a businessman!
All I want to do is wake up from this national nightmare. Is it November, 2018 yet?
9
Malodorous. What a great word, very fitting not only for this bill but for this entire administration.
Trump littered the campaign trail with 8th-grade-insult nicknames (Crooked Hillary of course, Little Marco, etc), to the glee of his small-minded supporters. I think Malodorous Donny is not a bad one for him (though other malodorous people might be insulted by the comparison).
2
Corker explained that he didn't know about the "Corker Kickback" because he didn't read the tax bill. Some explanation, but probably accurate for most Republicans in Congress. They support a bill designed in secret with no public hearings, a bill opposed by most Americans because it will ultimately hurt the poor and the middle class while enriching the rich and rewarding their wealthy donors. We know Trump didn't read it because he doesn't read, though I'm sure his lawyers and accountants told him how much he'll benefit. And so much for Collins' concern about protecting the ACA and Americans' health care. The only thing that can fit on a postcard in this tax bill is the GOP's regard forless fortunate taxpayers and the health of our economy. All we can do is vote all Republicans out of office and reverse the damage they are doing with another tax bill that actually makes sense.
9
Seven of the 10 richest members of Congress are Democrats. 10 is the Top 2% of Congress. So, in Congress, over twice as many rich Democrats benefit from tas cuts as rich Republicans.
List the names, Jay. List the names of ALL millionaires and billionaires in OUR U.S. senate/house.
List the names of all the millionaires/billionaires The Con Don has put in charge of OUR government. The biggest heist of America is underway right now and it's not the "democrats" who are behind it. You know it.
12
So, who are they?? -- and maybe list the names of Republican millionaires in Congress while you're at it.
Another thing.
You do remember the Democrats aren't the ones behind this horrific tax bill, dont you???
3
If that's even so, what's your point?
Are these Democrats voting for the bill?
1
One good thing about the tax bill getting signed before Christmas. After Trump signs the tax cuts for the rich the GOP won't have any need to keep him around any longer.
4
The $1.5 trillion addition to the deficit was the reason Corker voted no the first time around. So this real estate provision that benefits him explains the mystery of why he changed his vote to yes even though he didn't any concessions about the deficit to do so.
2
Can real estate developers continue to deduct all their real property taxes as Section 162 business expenses? Do the new limits on the deductibility of state taxes only apply to individuals? I have been looking for this answer, but no one seems to be reporting on this.
1
Almost half a trillion dollars. That is how much this single provision in the bill will transfer from working and middle class Americans to Trump, Corker and other rich real estate developers. That is how much this one provision alone will exacerbate income and wealth inequality between the rich and the other 99% of us.
6
Has the IRS finished trump's audit yet? Sure would be nice to see how much the new bill is going to cost him. Probably not finished, that'd give trump the right to brag that his audit was the longest in the history of the world.
3
This is the the clearest evidence yet of the Supreme Court's malfeasance in conflating "money" with "speech" in the Citizens United opinion. Money is the ultimate source of corruption in government - and this tax bill is the proof. The government of the United States no longer serves the people of the United States. ENOUGH!
It is time for term limits. 2 terms. period. regardless of office. No pension for more than 25% of official salary for no more than 1 year after leaving office.
It is time for regulation of lobbying activities - all entreaties and petitions for legislation or votes thereon must be public and the true source of financial interest and support behind such entreaties must be public information, fully disclosed and vetted on the record.
It is time for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget sufficient to support the necessary activities of government.
It is time to stop conflating "good governance" with "good business management" - the two serve very different functions in society and must be treated accordingly.
16
If you randomly corralled 535 people together in a room, how many or what percentage would be millionaires? Do the same calculation for the Congress. Then, separately, perform the same calculation for trump's cabinet.
Why are there so many millionaires in the Senate and House? And how many have become millionaires while serving in Congress? And how did that occur?
When considering any tax legislation, t's hard to imagine that the impact on one's own finances does not cloud the decision making process, ie, Corker, McCain, Johnson.....
2
Just another give away by the Great Deal Maker:
Gave away our National Monuments.
Gave away TPP to China.
Giving away our Alaskan oil.
Gave away the internet.
Giving away health insurance.
Will give away Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid.
No consideration of making those tax cuts contingent on actually hiring Americans. Just gave them away.
I dread thinking what the Infrastructure plan will give away.
7
Of course, liberals deride this tax bill, as they predictably would any law passed by Republicans. At least the Republican senators and congressmen are taking action, which has been missing for a long time in Washington. And, if liberals need to emphasize the effects in 2025 on various income groups as a reason to hate the bill, then there can't be too much wrong with it.
1
If you live in Florida, it’s not too hard to get along with blue state troubles.
Anybody in the suburbs of a dozen American cities who ever again votes for a Congessional Republican should have his or her head examined. They hate us.
If it's such a great piece of legislation, why no regular order? Why the rush? Why no public hearings? REAL public hearings. Why are Republicans already talking about a trailer FIX IT bill?
"I think (opinion) the greatest benefit (of the GOP tax plan) is going to be for jobs and the middle class," POTUS45 told reporters 12/16/17 on the South Lawn. This is clearly not true since most USA citizens do not own corporations or investment property. How can POTUS45 make such apparently dishonest statements to the public without rebuke? This is an example of opinion (I think) versus fact.
2
The new corporate rate is temporary too. Can't wait for the real tax reform that will take place after Congress and the White House revert back to Democratic control.
2
Is anyone really surprised that a cadre of wealthy, mostly white men, businessmen and lawyers all, have crafted a tax bill that rewards themselves with millions and millions of dollars in tax savings? Is anyone really surprised that, with straight faces, they stand before the American public and portray it all as a middle-class tax cut? Is anyone really surprised that Bob Corker, who just scant months ago appeared to be one of the last voices of Republican sanity and reason, did the math and suddenly rediscovered his loyalty to an establishment built for the sole purpose of fleecing the middle-class?
Is there really anything left to be surprised about with the Republican party? The election of Donald Trump, the support of Roy Moore, the deliberate damage to the ACA, environmental regulations, and banking regulations; assaults on the free press, disavowal of climate change, interference with the Mueller investigation, benign support of white nationalism, a religiously selective travel ban, attacks on religious and ethnic minorities that have resulted in a shameful increase in hate crimes... and now this tax reform bill.
The train wreck in Washington state has nothing on the train wreck in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, in the years to come, I fear the death toll will be much higher.
6
Senator McCain said something important in his speech announcing his refusal to repeal Obamacare: that for many years, Republicans had been acting out of spite, obstruction and self service. This bill leaves no doubt of the veracity of that statement and how nothing has changed in Washington since then.
6
The "CORKER KICKBACK" provision added to the bill to garner the Bob Corker's (the phony deficit hawk) vote for this atrocious tax giveback to the wealthiest American's, while giving some of the middle class marginal temporary tax cuts, all while adding about 1.5 trillion dollars to the deficit.
Bob Corker is the man who said he would never vote for a bill that added anything to the deficit, has proven himself to be a Liar and a Hypocrite, and has been swayed by a provision that will ingratiate himself and more importantly President Trump and his family members, this is not only disgraceful and unconscionable, but should be illegal, what a slimy politician.
3
Corker, it turns out, is even smaller in character than stature. L’ll Bob conned us all. He is just another spineless Trump lackey. History will not be kind.
7
What is occurring in Washington is nothing short of obscene and self serving. It’s mind boggling that the GOP continues to lie and deceive their supporters and get away with it. It will be very hard in the future to not ridicule these people.
6
Welcome to Latin American oligarchy. Building a wall is not going to keep the US safe from the oligarchs determined to destroy it. Shame on you Republicans. History will not forget your corruption, greed, and lack of patriotism.
8
Shame on the GOP. The party is nothing but a thoughtless conscience-free greed machine.
8
Hey, Melania, I have a great idea as to how to reduce our taxes.
First, I'll spend a year or so running for President. I'll spend a few hundred million of our money in the process.
Then, I work with an obstructionist Congress to pass a tax bill to reduce my taxes.
Gee, Donald, wouldn't it be easier to just invest in municipal bonds?
It would be but then what would the Fake News NY Times write about?
2
Trump would be considerably richer and vastly less toxic if he had simply liquidated his inheritance and invested it in an S&P index fund.
Yet working and middle class people will keep voting for these fraud republicans because a woman they don't know in a distant state might have an abortion.
9
Criticizing the Republicans for their greed and insensitivity is perfectly legitimate. But when will we ever have the courage to throw away the mask of political correctitude and blame the electorate directly for continuing to be the author of its own misfortune?
1
I totally agree with the Editorial Board, but, I just can't wait for this law to take effect. The sooner it is passed, the sooner we'll see it's trickle down effects. It's a bad bill, but I'm really glad that it worked out well for Trump and Corker.
This says it all:
"Whatever the Republicans’ protestations, this malodorous loophole is further confirmation that congressional leaders are doing everything they can to maximize benefits for the wealthy at the expense of almost everybody else."
Yep, we better see some trickle down. But if we do, it looks like we'll have to pay more tax on it.
1
Permanent?
Even the Constitution was amended. How can these tax cuts be "permanent?"
4
Translation: democracy is officially dead in the USA, the two-party system is a failed dinosaur, the people too dull and preoccupied with frivolous pursuits on Chinese-made electronics to know or care. Bring on the warlords next...
6
I have a theory that Republicans emerge from Stephen King's "It" sewer. Corker, in particular.
4
“That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasn't even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasn't even an enemy you could put your finger on.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
10
If you dont like the Oghligarcs stealing our Governments then Strike.
General strikes to grind the country to a halt.
The rich have forgotten that we have the power not them.
Stop every bank ,bus,train,plane,crane or boat
from running on schedule the rich will cry for mercy.
It will be painfulfor us also with some lost wages or jobs but watching the rich rob us while we meekly stand by is infuriating.
8
This tax bill makes it official. We will be the United States, Inc.
147
More like, the "Dis-United States of America."
2
United States, LLC
1
Just until the next couple of elections. Don't get mad, get even. Never, ever vote for any Republican for anything. And in any close election vote for the non-Republican with the best chance. After we exterminate the Republicans there'll be plenty of time for arguing among ourselves.
And I do mean exterminate!
1
Could the times compile a list of members of he House and Senate that would benefit from the bill? It would be nice to know so that people might take that into account come November of next year.
9
Note to Senator Corker: It is not too late to reverse course and do the right thing. You and the majority of Americans know this bill is simply a massive transfer of wealth to the rich and will increase the national debt by well over one trillion dollars. In short, this bill is an outrageous scam on the American public and should be rejected.
6
The GOP Supreme Court unleashed the devil through "Citizens United." It codified bribery: if you can afford it, you can "donate" unlimited funds for your candidate/puppet.
It may be the worst Supreme Court decision in our history.
19
And with this president's pick of the next crop of Supreme Court Judges, I fear we've yet to see the worst of decisions to come.
Perhaps the worst thing about Donald Trump's candidacy and election is that he has taught other politicians that they can outright lie and get away with it.
9
Well in all fairness to Trump (ugh that sentence is hard to write), I think they knew how to outright lie before he got there.
You don't see the liberal democrats raising a stink about the proposed changes because they share equally in the windfall.
There all self serving thrives! What we desperately need are term limits and more accountability.
1
When does the trickle take effect?
2
For me, the hardest part of the tax bill, and paying my taxes at all, it that I get so little for them. Kids going to state university? Better have $100,000 a least per child. No health ins. thru work? We are looking at $20.000 plus in premiums and deductibles. Pot holed roads, broken and dangerous sidewalks. Failing schools, collapsing bridges, useless public transportation. I feel like I live in a third-world nation where the president and his cronies steal everything. But as much as I despise Trump, this is not his fault. Americans have put up with this nonsense for decades. And for what? So we can brag about having the biggest bombs and most soldiers.
12
"The provision would allow people who make money from real estate to take a 20 percent deduction on income they earn through limited liability companies, partnerships and other so-called pass-through entities that do not pay the corporate tax."
I am so angry reading this. The fact that DT and his like will have lower taxes is a crime against our country and the common good it was founded upon.
Corporations and businesses are not people, and yet they are afforded more tax benefits and rights than its citizens. America has gone mad.
8
Welcome to the Oligarchy! Is anyone really surprised? We are led by a gerrymandered congress (who were bought by lobbyists who wrote the bill), and by a dotard president who lost the popular vote.
We, the people, are not represented. We are working very hard and many overtime hours to support those in power to continue to make truly obscene amounts of money at the expense of our lives and the lives of our children.
Time to rise up, or move, people.
7
This bill depends in part on people dropping out of Obamacare. This will save the government money that will end up in corporations and rich folks' pockets. Simply stated: it's immoral.
5
There's incidental tax relief in this bill for Russian oligarchs who have invested in any of the Trump/Kushner real estate holdings isn't there? Republicans. They're something else.
4
No one forced Sen. Corker to take his initial stand against this tax bill, on what now appears to be the sham grounds that he cared about the deficit. No one forced him to change his vote Friday, for no stated reason, without reading the bill or knowing what it contained. And no one made the GOP write the bill this way in the first place, favoring the wealthy so heavily while giving crumbs (or worse) to the rest of us.
The moral failings of the GOP in 2017 are clear, but the profound failure of Republicans (individually and collectively) to take responsibility for their own actions continues to astound.
Mr. Corker cannot explain to the American people how this bill serves our interests, because there is little evidence that it will. Instead, a WSJ editorial written in his defense summons a mountain of self-righteous indignation that reflects Mr. Corkers own response: How dare we question his motives or examine how he will benefit personally? In this, Republican umbrage echoes President Trump's own: Who are we to hold our leaders to account?
Here's a message to Republicans in Congress who are finding the narrative around the tax bill uncomfortable: Get used to it.
And a message to those like Corker (and Flake, Sasse, etc), who believe they can have it both ways: You don’t get credit for posturing that serves only to burnish your personal narrative. You will be held accountable for your vote. Choose wisely.
5
Yes, the wealthiest - including owners of the New York Times - will make out like the Mafia Robber Baron Bandits they are.
This bill is EVIL. There is no other word for it. Anyone who votes for it is evil.
Merry anti-christ-mas everyone.
9
I'm sure the coal miners will get help from this bill.
2
Public opposition is clear. The president's approval rating is the lowest it's been. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, a huge disappointment, now supports this awful bill, as he and this president both benefit financially from the bill they support.
You'd think Corker would be embarrassed by the fact a clause was entered that specifically enriches him. He even admitted he didn't read the bill.
This is a permanent tax cut for the rich, as Republicans are literally salivating to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and "reform" Social Security.
This is not making America great again.
6
Doesn't appear much debate went into this tax plan. It seems a gamble which I hope will be beneficial to not just those who are wealthy. If tax plan proves unpopular with the middle class, GOP may be characterized as "Got our payoff" and Dems have better chance to pickup seats in next election.
1
The poverty rate in the USA versus other industrialist nations ranks 17th in a country that is the wealthiest in the world. Bob Corker just sold his conscience for personal financial gain, and proves once again the greed of the Republican Party. Susan Collins' reason for voting yes is bewildering. Has she read the 500 page bill? Does she realize what will be lost in terms of health care, CHIP, education, infrastructure, the environment? And what happened to Jeff Flake and his sense of decency? Is there not even one honorable person in the Republican Party?
321
No, there isn't.
2
Apparently not.
1
Vanessa -- In a word, "No." But you already knew the answer.
1
And of course Huckabee-Sanders will explain it this way: Trump won the election, so this must be ok with the American people.
4
I hope voters remember this travesty when they go to the polls.
6
If this isn't an example of Trump and the GOP knowing how easy it is to bamboozle their supporters, then none exists.
7
Surely it's time to acknowledge that we no longer have a representative government. We've become reconciled to the fact that most Americans don't want this tax bill, would like some form of gun control, and favor retaining some version of the ACA. Taxation without representation, remember that?
20
There is a sure-fire way to remedy the mess that is America — don’t vote Republican, ever, at all. The Democrats aren’t perfect — far from it — but this massive shift of ever-more wealth to the already absurdly wealthy, the gutting of regulations that protect the environment and the non-1%, the unjustified, indefensible undoing of an admittedly imperfect health care law instead of working to fix its shortcomings, just has to stop.
4
So the Congress wants to "encourage" multi-million and billion dollar real estate investors by cutting their tax rates on millions of dollars of income as it disincentivizes retail home buyers by limiting their tax advantage to a $10,000 state and local deduction. The Electoral College voted for these priorities so I guess we should be happy. And all on a post card size tax return.
5
How big does the stocking to hang by the fire have to be to contain this magnificent gift from the republicans to themselves?
7
The intolerable idiocy in this tax scam giveaway to the rich is the slashing of the corporate rate from 35 percent to 21 percent—a return to discredited trickle-down (actually drip pan) Reaganomics. This must be blocked. This must be stopped.
Have we learned nothing over the last four decades from the disaster of trickle-down economics? And now pass-through deductions of 20% that are not capped, benefiting people like Trump.
And speaking of the Executive Branch, here is Mr. Trump a few days ago speaking about "it"—the tax scam giveaway.
Trump (speaking about Senators Rubio and Lee who were wavering) : “I think they’ll be great. They’re great people. They want to see it done. I know them very well. I know how they feel. These are great people and they want to see it done.”
He sounds like a babbling child who has to repeat the same elementary word over and over again. Yes, and he always “knows them very well”.
THIS is what we are dealing with from the Executive Branch regarding "it"—the tax scam giveaway to the rich.
8
It is good that The New York Times is checking these comments for civility. With the writing and seeming passage of this tax bonanza for corporations and certain persons, civility may be in short supply from the newspaper's readers. I bothers me that Senators and Congressmen and women can be quite openly bribed to vote for this tax travesty, and feel little threat of arrest or impeachment. The swamp Trump was elected to drain seems to be filling ever more rapidly with bigger and more voracious 'gators. I don't think this is going to end well for most of us.
16
At the risk of repeating an old bromide, you get what you voted for. Republican politicians sell their country down the river every single day of their lives. What did the electorate think would happen?
13
Corrupt legislation is not as offensive as having our President brag that he grabbed women by the genitals, but when that same man pushes tax laws that seize hundreds of millions from the treasury when he lies about that law “hurting him” compounds our outrage.
Trump’s habit of lying about lying has rendered him not trustworthy, not believable to all Americans who are victims of him and the distrust he has spread. Now, the majority of Americans and their offspring are confronted with a tax burden and the long term destruction of our currency. Can we really tolerate the lies and deception, the outright theft of tax dollars and destruction of the value of these dollars? When the majority are opposed to this tax bill that favors Donald Trump and only rich Americans, including Corker and others, will Americans just shake their heads and muddle through? Are Americans done with government of, by, and for the people?
159
We need to see trump's tax returns! NOW!
2
Some middle class people have not realized he is conning them. He taps into their fears and fosters derision of those who disagree. Trump does not have the intellectual or emotional ability or stability for the position he holds. However, he has learned the lessons of past and present dictators(who he admires!) and is using their arsenal to divide Americans more and more. So sad. So frightening.
2
It seems that the old definition of a corrupt politician has now become the current definition of being a successful one.
8
What I would like to see are some comments from those who voted for Trump and this gang of Republican government shrinks. Please, attempt to come to their defense of this atrocious tax plan. It's bad enough we have an morally bankrupt and policy dolt at the helm of the Executive branch, but when millions of supposedly hard working American taxpayers to put people in office who do not have their interests at heart, what can one say? What is wrong here? What is it you don't understand? Ryan says the voters gave him a mandate to do what he's doing. He's got that wrong, along with many other things. The voters in Ryan's District may have given "him" a mandate but certainly not the nation as a whole. Just as more people voted for Hillary, Trump is claiming the American people voted for his draconian measures. They did not. By a margin of three million more votes. the American Electorate gave his opponent, "that woman", their support. Trump may have won the Electoral vote, but he seems not to understand that, just as he fails to understand most functions of government. Trump is a Minority chief executive, but he does not act that way because in his pitifully deluded brain he thinks he's won more votes than anyone in history. And no one close to him has the nerve to tell him otherwise. How did this happen? Well, I'm waiting to hear from those lovers of Trump. Where are they?
DD
Manhattan
12
@DD
Where are the voters and lovers of Trump??
No doubt they're out there -- just probably not here on these pages.
Seems it is you that does not understand a constitutional republic vs. a democracy.
Tax cuts today... Government running out of money on Friday.
What's wrong with that picture?
9
“The class which has the power to rob upon a large scale has also the power to control the government and legalize their robbery.” Eugene Debs
6
Now this process deserves the call for a special counsel investigation
4
This tax bill is the middle class’s turn in the Corker Barrel.
3
Does Trump University offer a course on how I can take advantage of the Corker Kickback?
6
does anyone else expect a lot more old rich people to start dying all of a sudden?
Well, Johnny, that's enough life support for grandma. Yea - we love her, but we love an upgrade to our mansion more.
2
Government of the oppressed, by the rich and powerful, for the corrupt, will not vanish from the earth!
3
Amazingly, the Fox media echo chamber will spin this and manage to blame Democrats for any failures. They do it every time.
4
We are for sale to the highest Oligarch, just like in Russia.
Putin is winning. He has put his stooge in the White House, and now America will greatly resemble Russia's pretend democracy, where the independent press is shot or weakened, the people are led by corrupt billionaires, and of course, democracy itself is seen as an illusion.
Soon, the other shoe will drop, and the social programs that give the barest life-giving help will be defunded. Poor people don't need food, shelter, health care...
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
4
The Republicans have demonstrated again and again that they just don't care what the public thinks and/or what is good for the country. But sadly I think that they will not be penalized in the elections because such a large proportion of the electorate does not take the trouble to read and find out what is going on. At P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute."
9
"Feather their own nests" is a weak description for the Great Tax Ripoff.
3
I am a big fan of NYT and, while I agree with the overall point of this editorial - that this tax bill is a travesty perpetrated by the self-interested - I'm a bit flummoxed by your quoted numbers and equation in paragraph seven. Why are you suggesting that "$414.5 billion in lost revenue over 10 years" is "29 times as much as the roughly $14 billion a year that the government spends on the Children's Health Insurance Program." $414.5 billion over ten years averages $41.4(5) billion per year, which is approximately three times $14 billion (for the CHIP) not 29 times $14 billion; or, put another way$14 billion per year (for the CHIP) over 10 years reaches a total of $140 billion, which is approximately 1/3 of $414.5 billion lost revenue, not 1/29. Your numbers are confusing. Is there something I'm missing here?
1
So much for the integrity of Corker, Collins, and Flake (and probably McCain, too, were he healthy) .... modern politics seems to only be about "feathering one's own bed" at the expense of others and one's very soul.
11
My school essay.
"If I were President".
Ahem.
If I were President, I would VETO, without further review, any bill sent to me containing 500 words or more.
Think about that. Treating our self-absorbed, self-righteous Congressmen and Senators like Junior High Schoolers is possibly the best way to get decent results out of them.
If I as president, continue to allow these so-called "lawmakers" to write seemingly endless pieces of quasi-legal babble that uses millions of words in fine print, ear marks, allocations to secret personal NGO type projects that serve to re-elect, pork, boondoggle, etc.......this once great ship of state continues to roar full speed ahead onto the rocks of history.
Keep it short, sharp, shocked gentlemen....
Otherwise...
VETO.
1
Have you ever ready bill? A bill with less than 500 words would leave so many loopholes, it'd be meaningless.
Republicans speak from both side of their mouths. Unfortunately, they will get their Christmas gift with all its bills and whistle.
1
Like the rest of the Republican policies, now and in the recent past, the tax bill offers short term help in exchange for long term pain, which will be blamed on the White House inhabitant who has to clean up the mess, and who will be opposed by any Republicans still around. Cutting regulations on financial industry increases risk of a crisis (see end of Bush term where Obama was left with a near depression.) Cutting regulations on the environment increases risks associated with warming and pollution (see New York City air in 1960.)
That this playbook works is one of my main criticisms of democracies.
Most...corrupt...dishonest...dishonorable...administration...AND...Congress in US history. And having both so ethically and morally bankrupt at the same time is unprecedented and a major failure of our system of checks and balances. Of course this is all about the decrepitude, conceit and deceit of the republican party.
6
Nice to see that the only infrastructure change we're going to see under Trump is the new sewage line that runs into Trump's Washington swamp.
8
Yes but think of all the children that will no longer receive government programs that provide healthcare or aid. These men are hurting thousands and thousands so they can obtain more money for themselves and their families. Isn't that what the GOP stands for today? Well done. You must be so proud.
6
Hey, this reminds me of the time that G.W. Bush sent me six hundred bucks in the mail. I recall our government had recently given a nice tax break to the wealthy, just like now. So, I guess the (relatively paltry) six hundred I got was hush money. Meanwhile, ol' George prosecuted a couple of expensive wars, and did something about the "donut hole" in prescription insurance (I never could figure that one out), and some other expensive stuff (some of it compassionate--like helping Africans with AIDS). And then (surprise!) the whole American economy went sideways. I wonder why? But wait, here's the funny part. When Obama was struggling to straighten out the mess, his opponents were screaming that he would explode the deficit. The deficit! Can you beat that? I mean, with all that's going on with this new tax cut? The deficit... that's rich. Better put your dough under the mattress, America.
10
Our Democracy has become a Kleptocracy.
6
When are we going to learn NEVER to trust ANY member of republican congress... With a liar in chief in the oval office, we should have expected a "Corker kickback" If it wasn't Corker it would have been someone else. I'm most disappointed in McCain whom I always have respected and admired He gave so much to this country and Susan Collins who thinks this gang of thugs would ever keep their word about ANYTHING.. She has always been such a loyal representative of her constituency.. This is the damage a man like Trump can do.. It's heartbreaking..
4
Well the voters allowed the Republicans into the tax candy store---did they think they would only buy a small bag of jelly beans, when they had an entire counter filled with a variety of expensive chocolates that cost next to nothing?
2
Further proof that draining the swamp when you're part of it will never happen in this administration and this Congress. Shame on each and every one of you, including Bob Corker.
11
The Republican Tax Bill is a total disaster. No businesses are coming back to the United States. Donald J. Trump, who is the major swamp of all time, will make a lot of money for himself and his children and the so-called Republican Party.
9
"As for Mr. Trump, he has been going around saying the tax bill would “cost me a fortune” and his accountants “are going crazy now.” This claim has always been “fake news.” But with the new loophole it has become even more nonsensical."
I would like to suggest the mainstream media stop using the phrase fake news, with or without quotes. Please just call it a lie. I suggest we exclude use of the phrase to the lying set, not the fact-based journalists.
15
The biggest point, in my opinion, is that the expiration of the cuts for the middle class will not be realized for years. The typical Trumpista will look at next year’s tax bill and likely see a reduction - who thinks about 2027 in 2018? So popular dissent in the short run will remain focused in the Blue Rim, which probably bodes ill for 2020. As for Trump and how this benefits him, the prosperity gospel encourages the worship of the successful, and who could be more successful than Pastor Don? I doubt Trumps supporters begrudge him his ill gotten gains.
9
" Further, the tax bill would permanently change how tax brackets are adjusted for inflation so that more people would be pushed into higher tax brackets over time even if they received only modest raises in salary."
It's actually even worse than that. With the economy doing great right now, the stimulative effect of this bill will be to super heat it and cause inflation - maybe even hyper inflation. "Cap'n. Iceberg ahead.", "Full speed! Ready the officers only lifeboats!"
8
Bob Corker who'd shown some strong character earlier by feuding openly with trump, has now reduced to a mere 4'11" skinny lad with a hollow soul by asking his fellow Republicans in a conference committee negotiations that he'd not sign the bill if he didn't get a "20% deductions on income he earns along with real estate moguls like Trump and his friends in the real estate business through limited liability companies,partnerships and other so called pass-through entities that do not pay the corporate tax" as your article says here.
The sick puppy and a real sell-out "Mr. Corker who owns a real estate partnership in Tennessee, say the new loophole was not put for him....." as per your article, is lying through his teeth because he knew his friends in the committee needed his vote badly as John McCain is recovering in a hospital after his cancer surgery.
It should be mentioned here that Mitch McConnell and others in the committee did oblige him by "airdropping" the provision immediately to please him and their president Trump so that they can pass the vote this week .
And Trump who always lies about everything, is lying through his teeth again, saying"this tax bill would cost me a fortune and my accountants are going crazy" as your article mentioned here.
He's spreading this"fake news' again and again just like what he did to win his election.
The Congressional Democrats must stop this very dangerous bill that'll hurt the middle-class Americans in 2025 with a 39% tax again.
13
It is the top 20% that have it all, there will only be 2 classes of people. Many more of the population will live in a rented home with no regulation on the rent, 20% own most of the rental properties with many of them from other countries.
I was told 60 years ago, sports and religion would take over Democracy. Many called that a conspiracy! Now most Americans know every score in the sports game or are quoting the bible. Sundays are spent learning the names of everyone on the field, few know or can vote for their representatives. The new religious right have a leader who is more powerful then their bible, more powerful than their god.
20% will control where you live, work, and watch on TV.
Why don't you care America?
20
"Republican leaders and Mr. Corker, who owns a real estate partnership in Tennessee, say the new loophole was not put in place to win over his vote. "
Oh, sure. How do you spell "B R I B E"?
Corker is an incredible disappointment. Finally, there was at least ONE Senator who had the spine to stand up against this bill because of the massive hole it will blow in the deficit. And everyone believed him.
Then he showed he true colors, and sacrificed his hard-won legacy for a few pennies of real estate write-offs.
It will be interesting to see how many of the Republicans who supported this bill will leave Congress soon. Like Corker, they don't care about their constituents any more, and are willing to take the money and run. This might be the last gasp for the GOP, the Greedy Oligarch Party. And frankly, America would be a lot better off without them. Their bubble is about to burst.
357
Their bubble is about to burst? Seems much more likely they will take the money and run and a new generation of thieves will replace them and remain in power. I don't see any evidence, despite the conventional wisdom, that the Democrats are ready to win anything. If it's Warren, Gillibrand, or Sanders carrying the banner, the future looks bleak. This bunch would lose to Trump, who's Cicero next to them. And let's not be quick to count Trump out. Stranger things have happened. Like the last time.
1
The saddest facts about human personality:
-- Money is just too sweet to resist.
-- The more you have, the more you want.
-- Life. It's all about me.
I love it: GOP = Greedy Oligarch Party. This needs to become a meme.!
The great remaining story of these times is not Russian influence in our past election. That particular story is now obvious. What needs to be exposed now is how legislators gain directly from holding office. It looks, for example, like insider trading is legal for Congressmen. It also looks like this ridiculous tax bill is tailored to benefit directly the very legislators now voting for it.
16
What happens when the economy goes bad and the "lost revenue" starts to add up? Why of course the repubs will look to cut entitlements such as social security and medicare. What happened to the deficit hawks and fiscal conservatives of the 1990's? These guys are only interested in themselves and the wealthy in this country. Everyone else can go take a hike.
4
The Dems new mantra during the election season should be "REPEAL AND REPLACE" this appalling bill.
6
Is that possible? No one is offering any hope to this disaster...can it be halted or changed when rational people are back in power?
Give me something to hold on to; this is too depressing.
1
This tax bill was not written by Congressional Republicans. It was written for them.
15
This is supply side politics in action. The GOPs dream of the 1980s, a privatized for-profit government. Of course all critics have been proven right, because it looks exactly like a corrupt kleptocracy any corrupt monarch or dictator would recognize.
Could've had a nationwide debate telling people they were allowing private interest to feather a few nests, while the one party government laid out policy that will result in huge declines on Main St. USA in a decade, or less. We will all be living in a Flint, MI soon. But of course people never had the public debate voters needed before the elections. The FCC that made sure real journalism existed and thrived in all 50 states was gutted in 1987. The decades long hollowing out leaves no real 4th estate to hold public officials accountable. Just an echo chamber of stale and corrupt party rhetoric.
4
The bill is terrible and a disgrace. Worst people in power in American history now here as Trump, Pence, Ryan, Rand, Corker, Rubio, Cruz and every other member all complicit without exception and the GOP takes there money and laughs with Mnuchen a banker whose name is on our money and whose wife laughs at the pitiful Americans that aren’t rich like she is now. What a despicable insulting mob. Christmas is ruined. Remember people they really created this nightmare.
5
Let's take a look at the "fiscal responsibility" GOP's actions:
Reduce the deficit was job #1, actually this tax plan increases it by a minimum of ONE TRILLION dollars!
This figure does not even include interest to be paid on this debt, in a rising interest rate environment!
This is not a tax plan, this is the looting of your government.
8
Thief "legally" steals home. Previous owner, still on the hook, given minuscule break on interest rate but still on hook for new, larger mortgage. Thief declares a win-win.
4
Let's just take Congress' word for this bill: "The money would stop......My donors say don't call them if this bill doesn't pass......."
(Don't forget also, while many people will now be taxed twice by state, local and federal taxes, the GOP gave a SPECIAL deduction to Trump personally: a conservation deduction for golf courses -- you know, the areas that use so many pesticides/herbicides to keep their grass green.)
5
As Senator Schumer said, "They're taxing us on money we don't have."
For decades I've heard that major tax reform was almost impossible because so many powerful constituencies in our economy would be screaming and yelling about losing their precious tax loopholes.
If you're as amazed (and appalled) as I am at the speed with which this mammoth bill is passing, just notice all the screaming and yelling we did not hear, and who from ...
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The lies Republicans have issued in the process of attempting to get their tax bill enacted are startling. Chief among them is president Trump's absurd declarations that the tax reforms will do nothing for him.
Republicans, led by Mr. Trump, seem determined to explore new depths of depravity and dishonesty. It actually constitutes an assault on American values from within. The enemy is here among us.
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Trump’s refusal to release his income taxes while crafting the largest tax code overhaul since 1986 should be a much larger controversy than it is. The real estate Corker kickback sheds a little light on this unprecedented profiteering off public office, but we will never know the full extent of the goodies in the bill enriching the President directly. It’s a brazen, duplicitous gambit after running a “populist” campaign- straight out of the Putin oligarch playbook. Maybe this explains his love for the Russian plutocrat model?
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The very sad part is the GOP base and trumps base, the group who will be hurt by this, believe this is a great bill and believe what trump says. They eat up fake news. I hope the rest of the country come out at the mid terms to clear the place of these GOP fakes.
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These republicans know they're going to get thrown out of office by the electorate come the next election so they're passing legislation to grab as much money for themselves as possible. The same for Trump.
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To the base:
The deficit goes up, your deductions go down, your income stays the same (if you’re lucky, which you’re not), inflation rises, few if any jobs are created, and your sick children are turned away from the care they need. All so you can have a win. You haven’t won, but you have been played.
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Just venal, corrupt, self serving and mercenary.
A sop to the rich, scraps and promises for the middle class
and nothing for the poor.
The Trump Republican tax plan is a sham and a fraud just
like Trump University which cost Trump $25 million.
How many American lives will the Trump "tax reform" scam cost America?
The beginning of a formal plutocracy in America---government by the rich.
Are you worth at least $1,000,000? We'll take good care of you.
Other wise you can just muddle along and we'll help if we feel like it.
If you die off for some reason well that leaves more wealth for the rich.
We're better than you. do you know that? If you were as good as us and as worthy you'd be rich too.
Remember the Trump tax scam in 2018 good people and do the right thing.
I can't decide which of two motives are behind this tax abomination. Either the R's don't care about public opinion since they will reap substantial financial benefits regardless of the outcome of future elections. Or, they are banking on the stupidity of core, poor voters who will cling to the party because of its racist, religious, environmental (which has become synonymous with religion) and sexist views even in the face of R sponsored economic policies that make their lives worse. Probably both.
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While Trump says the tax bill will "cost me a fortune," he's laughing all the way to the bank. Sickening.
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He has lots of creditors at his heels, I think. Guess what would be his fate if he actually tried to swindle the Russians.
Our Congress is at work for us? Meanwhile what's playing on Trump News? Believing the babble about this tax bill is going to be costly to your ground level Republicans and Democrats. It brings new meaning to the swamp's mendacity and "laughing all the way to the bank."
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Understand that any national level top market TV news contributor is making much more than $100K spouting his "opinion". That's fine but shouldn't we be listening to the mother of the child with no health care? To the elder woman with no family and a history of heart problems and diabetes? To the Native American who sees his cherished lands ripped up for fracking what's below? To the young college grad with a teaching degree but who now is saddled with $50,000 student debt? Do you think this kind of real news would sell during or just before dinnertime in America? Are we going to just sit here and let this happen? Was Pogo really right?
I agree with the sentiment and the analysis of the Editorial, however, there are always winners and losers in the tax code. What is different and more ominous about this one is the lengths the Republicans have done to to hide what they are doing- a cover-up, even in advance of the crime.
I'd say that all Tax Codes that contain deductions are against the Fourteenth Amendment. Everyone should pay a fixed percentage on every $25,000 they earn. We need a national policy that takes the incentive out of using wealth to undermine the democratic process and by that I mean undermining the voters' access to the best available information on matters that concern us.
James Madison knew it was just a matter of time before the Congress would usurp the power of the people in matters of tax. "The apportionment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice." And that is just what the Congress has done. Trampled on the rules of justice. And they should never be allowed to do it again and they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it now.
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Trump, with his refusal to pay personal income tax, his multiple bankruptcies to avoid paying back development loans, his histories of failure to pay vendors and hires for their services, his bogus university and other businesses created to bilk users, and his limited liability corporations, will now legalized a new kind of license to steal with this new tax bill. Merry Christmas America from the worst president and congress in U.S. history.
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These guys are either so cynical they actually believe they can pull this off without the public noticing or they just don't give a rip about what the public actually does think. These people who sell their votes for personal gain are totally in violation of their oath of office. It is an egregious ethical violation that, of course, will never be given due process.
Murkowski gets her oil from the ANWR; Corker gets his real estate kiss; and Collins get political cover in exchange for her vote; cover, of course, which has already been blown even before she casts her vote for this monstrosity.
They're crushing us all while they get rich.
Kudos to the press and especially the nation's two greatest newspapers who have been diligently keeping us in the know. Without you, we're all blind as bats.
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I still don't understand what happens in ten years. Do we go back to the tax code as it stands today? Or is it another football with semi-annual extensions at the last minute so it seems like Congress is actually doing something? Good job simplifying that tax code, boys and girls.
I’d love to see a list of Congressmen and Senators (and spouses) who have real estate LLCs, as well as those whose incomes are high-end enough to reap this bonanza.
Every one of them ought to be voted out if they voted for this self-dealing disaster called “tax reform”.
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Corruption now defines the Republican Party. Every single GOP politician who votes for this tax monster is voting against healthcare, against infrastructure, against Social Security, against disaster relief and against basic government.
The Trump administration has been gutting government departments from the State Department to the IRS. Basic services cannot be provided and government workers have been demonized for their public service.
Trump and his family and GOP politicians and donors are the direct beneficiaries of the tax monster. Poor children who need healthcare, the US citizens in Puerto Rico without power or disaster aid, the middle class, poor, blue states, healthcare and the infrastructure will all be grievously and malevolently harmed.
This is cruel.
It is greedy.
It is corrupt.
Every Republican should be voted out of office.
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Trump, a New York City resident, is a big loser under this tax bill. He pays tons of state and local taxes and real estate taxes which, if this demon tax bill passes, will be capped at a paltry $10,000.
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Inquiring minds want to know: which coal company got the contract to supply Trump with a lump for every stocking in the Country that isn't trimmed in 24ct. gold.
Today I watched the "resistance" in the halls of Congress: brave people, sick people, desperate people...what I wanted to see was 2 or 4 million people flood Capitol Hill but I understand, as do trump and the republicans, people are busy with Christmas and maxing out the cards for Christmas dinner.
It is worth remembering, during the health care debates, the fury Republicans expressed at the "Cornhusker Kickback", the provision inserted to help Senator Nelson's constituents with extra Medicaid funding.
Oh the wailing, the rending of garments on Fox. The nonstop discussion of this provision and it's disgraceful insertion into the bill to win Nelson's vote.
But at least that was meant to benefit citizens of a state. Contrast it with the last minute changes to secure Corkers vote, the people that provision helps, and the silence from Fox and the Republican Party. And Obama pulled that funding as well.
These people are a disgrace to this country. All those years of sanctimonious horror over the deficit, the hand wringing over the Constitution. This bill makes it clear they care nothing for any of those things.
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Will this bill be independently scored before the vote in the house today? $414.5 billion cost over ten years for this provision is certain to have an effect on the already obscene $1.5 trillion they've allowed for themselves in this bill.
I had deluded myself into thinking that the next administration would be able to gradually undue the tremendous damage being done to our nation by Trump and the GOP. If this bill passes and becomes law, I will no longer have any such delusion.
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It's so disappointing that the few seemingly good republicans like Corker and Collins are revealed as to what they really are.
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I feel bad for Trump's most loyal supporters, the red-hatted and hardcore white Christian evangelicals whose reward for standing by Trump will be the loss of their homes and deep cuts to their Medicare and Social Security. And, of course, college for their kids will now be be unaffordable.
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The tragic train wreck out West brings me back to Trump's campaign promises to spend, spend, spend on the nation's infrastructure "like you've never seen anywhere, ever." Instead, all of his energy and that of the Republican Party, has gone to trying to erase the Obama presidency and enriching the already-rich, especially themselves. Now, when it is too late for the Amtrak victims, he starts tweeting about the soon-to-come infrastructure plan -- for which there will be no money. It's difficult to say which makes me sicker, his acts or his lies.
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What is sad is the fact that those persons who felt the government abandoned them during the Obama administration and who voted for Trump in the last presidential election are going to be far worse off under this new tax plan. At least they will have their guns, though.
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Dishonest and sneaky. You bet. But there are millions who believe all the analysis is fake news and the bill is really aimed at them. So to all Trump supporters out there I would ask them to look at just one, and only one, thing. Does Ivanka start making her clothes in the United States? I use her as an example, but there,are many others. Supposedly, people like her move the jobs overseas because taxes are too high here. Well now she gets exactly what she wanted. So all those jobs are coming back, right? It has nothing to do with having incredibly low labor costs, right? And not having to pay benefits, right? And no one sees how the workers are treated, right? So, what will you say if she saves a fortune in taxes, continues to make her clothes outside the U.S., and then your taxes go up? What will you say then? That Ivanka is helping make America great again? So over the next few years while you watch the Republicans raise your taxes (and eliminating your tax cut IS raising your taxes), go to the store and check the label on her clothes and see if "Made in America" is there. But then again the rule that says the label needs to be there will likely be eliminated. Then all you will have is Trump's word on it. And you believe everything he says. After all its all based on dishonest and sneaky.
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I lost some respect for Corker. He was brave enough to call out Trump for being a ego maniac demagogue but in the end sold his soul to the devil to enrich himself, after declaring he would never vote for a tax bill that did not increase the deficit.
Except for a few house republicans in big states like Calif, NY that voted against the bill, the others put enriching themselves over fairness with tax relief.
They figure even if they get defeated next yr because of their vote. (ie the bill is very unpopular with the public, 25% approval rating), they will be rewarded with high paying jobs with lobbyists who supported the bill.
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This tax bill is certainly not government for the people, only for a few people by a few people.
I thought that the president was not supposed to be involved with the running of his business so how would he know what kind of impact the bill would have on his income or whether his accountants are "going crazy"?
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This is awful and obvious and predictable. No one can say they didn't know, not anyone with a functioning brain.
On the other hand , the GOP has been selling the same snake oil since 1981. There's no difference between Reagan, the Bush family, and Trump, except in style.
Are we capable of learning?
To add insult to injury, yesterday I received my notification from Comcast about the rate increases due to take effect tomorrow (thanks for the two-day heads up, Comcast! doesn't matter. No competition here). Comcast sent this notice out to further gouge its customers knowing it is about to receive a huge tax cut. The economic problems we have are all about corporate greed, including shareholder greed, and the greed of the top 1% earners. Congress, in all its wisdom, sees fit to feed that greed. One would think that the alleged "Party of Christian values", the GOP, would know better....that is, IF one were to actually be dumb enough to have bought that "Christian values" malarky. More like Ayn Rand values.
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Why aren't Republicans earning over 100,000 and up to 800,000 furious about this tax scam as well as Dems? Those earning over 100,000-800,000 will be PENALIZED with MUCH HIGHER TAX BILLS.
We should all, Repubs and Dems, stop this bill from further benefitting the top 1%. Demonstrations last night at Susan Collins office and at the US capital were huge. We need to show Corker we know he's nothing but a crook & demonstrate there.
Corker only signed on to the bill after they inserted a line to increase his wealth, and trump's, NOT Tennessee's, by millions. Our government is corrupt.
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No business in the U.S. has benefited more from Federal Reserve low interest rates and Quantitative Easing than real estate development. Already a corporate welfare black hole the Republicans have decided to reward Trump, Corker and a whole busload of other grifters and core corrupters. The US is a sewer of corruption and this Tax Bill makes it even swampier.
The real culprits of the tax bill are conservative and independent voters that support Republicans, that believe everything that they are told by Christian right ministers and Catholic bishops, the fake news of conservative talk-radio, the fake news of Fox News and now the kleptocrat Trump. They remain ignorant and/or beholding to a way of life that demands conformity to a conservative life style with all it's trappings. They would rather shoot themselves in the head than do what's right and truly Christ-like.
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2017 will be remembered as the year that sexual predators were finally brought down. A major shift is happening and things cannot go back to the way they were. Let's hope that with 2018 we see a similar shift in politics.
I truly wonder how that Make America Great Again is working for Trump’s base? Have they seen any evidence that he’s got their interests in his heart? Hashtag: Used, Phony, Uneducated, No experience, etc, etc,
Such an outrage! And what's the big rush?
Can't someone else release those tax forms on the Tyrant's behalf so we can see how much he's been investing in our nation's welfare?
Have we ever seen a worse bunch of liars and cheats, pretending to be piously concerned? Get ready, majority. Everyone will suffer.
Mitt Romney torpedoed his presidential run when exposed for his 51% pity-the-rich sentiment. And in this debate, the same sympathy is front and center: of course the super-wealthy get a big tax break, they are the ones paying most of the bills. However, Mr middle-America worker, maybe you should think a little deeper about the real implications of this: THIS IS HOW THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED! You can be as smart, careful, and hardworking as you want but the strength of your arm gets you 19th century income. Technology is the real worker, the people who actually operate it are a commodity, easily bid down to the lowest price, and the people who OWN it make all the money. So, if you think the people who make the big corporate decisions are actually worth the $125 million packages they are bringing home, then sure vote (like this bill) in their favor. Personally, I believe the insidious thing here is the media message about leadership: corporate directors are smarter than the average bear (sometimes) but not 1 million times smarter. More commonly, they succeed because they are aggressive, heartless, and manipulative. And, more than anything, lucky. It was proven that a chimp throwing darts could make as profitable investment choices as the strongest firms. But the takeaway is that it is 'worker as a commodity' that has driven the income gap, and this bill just makes that worse.
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Wasn’t it just a few short years ago that the then-President was excoriated 24-7-365 for even thinking of spending one dime more than what Treasury was taking in? Oh, that’s right, he was a Democrat. Back then the financials mattered. The lies and hypocrisy coming out of the Party of Ebeneezer Scrooge apparently know no limits. And this tax bill is nothing short of stunning, an in-your-face naked grab for it all. If this doesn’t spell doom for the Grand Old Pirates next November, then the game really is over in this country.
Visited my mom and sister last weekend. Both voted for Trump. Both regret what they did. I did something that, to my knowledge has not been done before – I convinced two Trump supporters to vote straight Democrat next November. I have a 17-year-old grandson who will also be voting for the first time next November and I explained to him how Trump and the Republicans are ruining our nation, and stealing from him (generational theft via reckless tax cuts in the face of a $20 trillion debt). I spoke to my daughter (who receives food stamps and who has three children receiving health insurance from CHIP) and told her that she needs to vote straight Democrat next November because Trump and the Republicans are stealing from her three boys (she didn’t vote in 2016). She told me that she’ll vote straight Democrat. It was a productive weekend for me – and I have only just begun. I am under no illusion that the Democrats are our saviors, but the Republican Party will destroy our nation if left unchecked. VOTE next November. This has the makings of a landslide vote against Trump.
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"Visited my mom and sister last weekend. Both voted for Trump. Both regret what they did.'
I don't forgive. If they had paid the slightest attention to Trump's words, the vile obscenities, and they supported him anyway, they crossed a moral line, FOREVER.
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Get on a podcast! this topic must come up weekly. Thank you...
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Cliff, You have done what I am telling all my friends to do, namely, convince at least one person who did not vote last November or who voted Republican last November to vote for the Democrats next election. Thank you for your efforts.
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Is there a statutory, ethical, or even constitutional prohibition, as interpreted, against members of Congress concurrently increasing their incomes while in the midst of a present term of office? If so, Corker, et al, in personally benefiting economically from the real estate related preferences enmeshed in this tax bill, have violated such restrictions. Furthermore, could a legal challenge be mounted against such an attempt to financially enrich themselves?
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