The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, I'm with you on that. But I think something has to be around for a while to cause its elimination to be a defacto tax raise. The mortgage interest deduction qualifies.

But the payroll tax holiday that is likely to expire in December and has been around for only a year - will that be a tax raise? Personally, I don't think so - even though the effect is my taxes are "higher" than they were for a year.


Alex, Entitlements are just that. Social Security is an entitlement because I'm just going to be getting back (essentially) what I paid into the system. I'm entitled to that money. I paid into the system specifically to get that back later. Same with Medicare.

Tax deductions are not the same. No one is "entitled" to tax deductions. Well, corporations are, of course, but I hope you get my point.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

But the payroll tax holiday that is likely to expire in December and has been around for only a year - will that be a tax raise? Personally, I don't think so - even though the effect is my taxes are "higher" than they were for a year.

Still semantics, but if there's a built in expiration date and it's a matter of renewing it or not, then no, I would not necessarily label it a tax raise. But that has more to do, for me, with the existence of a pre-defined expiration rather than duration. I suppose I'd agree that if a tax break with no expiration date was enacted, and then repealed 6 months later I might not consider that a tax raise. But I don't really think that happens.

Regardless, whether it's an end of a break, or a raise of taxes should not be a deciding factor. Whether it's the reasonable course of action should. (I know, I'm not holding my breath)