Action Alert: Stop the "Gang of Six" Tax Hikes [out of date]

Category: Action Alerts Keywords: Senate

Nathanael Yellis | April 27, 2011

The Gang of Six is looking to raise taxes. That’s why the media is so excited about their ‘secret negotiations.’ For example, The New York Times portrays their meetings as more glamorous than policy discussions can possibly be:

If Mr. Durbin and Mr. Chambliss can cut a deal on Social Security and new tax revenues, their associates say, then just maybe all of Washington can come together.

If The Times is that excited, we know something is awry.

And, sure enough, the Washington Post gives away the worst kept secret: the Gang of Six is building a plan that will get Republicans to support tax increases:

The “Gang of Six” could propose, possibly next month, a plan that includes deeper entitlement cuts than Democrats have ever supported and tax increases that previously have been anathema for Republicans.

While this looks like an ok compromise: entitlement reform for tax increases, it’s not. The Democratic Congress of the last few years has significantly ratcheted up federal spending. Obamacare alone created several new entitlement programs. Meanwhile, tax revenues have stayed relatively constant. That’s why fixing the deficit starts with real spending cuts, not tax increases.

It’s not conservative policy and Republicans should know better.

Take action: email your Senators to oppose tax hikes.

More about the Gang of Six:

Tax hikes are definitely on the table, according to Senator Kent Conrad:

Revenue has to be part of this, because revenue as a share of our national income is the lowest it has been in 60 years.

The Senators are negotiating behind closed doors, again from Senator Kent Conrad:

“We’ve agreed not to discuss the status of our negotiations.”

Proposals would set deficit reduction targets, likely without specific cuts. According to the National Journal:

To allow passage of the measure, various groups of lawmakers are working on proposals to set future deficit reduction targets while leaving lawmakers to make specific cuts later. The proposals, intended for consideration alongside the debt increase, include varied automated mechanisms to enforce cuts if Congress does not act.

Take action: email your Senators to oppose this bad policy.

Nathanael Yellis

DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR

@inathanael

Please Share Your Thoughts

Floyd Smith

Only rhino republicans would ever consider compromising with the extreme far-left wing democrates!
Just cut the run-away-spending and defunct programs and departments.
This is a no brainer!
Floyd Smith

Only rhino republicans would ever consider compromising with the extreme far-left wing democrates!
Just cut the run-away-spending and defunct programs and departments.
This is a no brainer!
Steve Kelley

I am looking forward to what they bring to the table. They say neither side will be happy and in my opinion that is what need to take place if we are to get out of this financial mess. Reforming the tax code needs to happen (if you call that a tax increase so be it) We need to quit funding other countries that hate us. We need to quit supporting other countries natural disasters until we get our own house in order. We need to cut military spending. we need to cut and gut Federal employees as well as State and Locale employees. Growing up we didn’t want to work for govt is wasn’t a glamorous job, Now day’s kids are wanting to work for the govt because they see it as an easy ticket to a cushy life, with raises every year great health benefits, and continuous advacement opportunity not based on merit but based on how long you’ve been with the organization…..

Kindest Regards
Steve

Go Gang of Six
- Paula
  
  Steve,
  I agree with gutting government!! I disagree with cutting military! The first role of government is to provide for the common defense. We need citizen audits in all government agencies to better manage spending, but we have a reduced military as it is, & with all of the threats, I’m sure you will agree with me soon that we needed a strong military. I’m not just talking about Jihadists either. Russia & China are not our friends!!!!
- Rex Whitmer
  
  I don’t know for certain, but I’d be willing to bet that Senator McCain is one of the three RINO Repubs. He is a poor legislator and a poorer citizen. He only wants his name in the lime light, good bad or indeifferent.
Steve Kelley

I am looking forward to what they bring to the table. They say neither side will be happy and in my opinion that is what need to take place if we are to get out of this financial mess. Reforming the tax code needs to happen (if you call that a tax increase so be it) We need to quit funding other countries that hate us. We need to quit supporting other countries natural disasters until we get our own house in order. We need to cut military spending. we need to cut and gut Federal employees as well as State and Locale employees. Growing up we didn’t want to work for govt is wasn’t a glamorous job, Now day’s kids are wanting to work for the govt because they see it as an easy ticket to a cushy life, with raises every year great health benefits, and continuous advacement opportunity not based on merit but based on how long you’ve been with the organization…..

Kindest Regards
Steve

Go Gang of Six
- Paula
  
  Steve,
  I agree with gutting government!! I disagree with cutting military! The first role of government is to provide for the common defense. We need citizen audits in all government agencies to better manage spending, but we have a reduced military as it is, & with all of the threats, I’m sure you will agree with me soon that we needed a strong military. I’m not just talking about Jihadists either. Russia & China are not our friends!!!!
- Rex Whitmer
  
  I don’t know for certain, but I’d be willing to bet that Senator McCain is one of the three RINO Repubs. He is a poor legislator and a poorer citizen. He only wants his name in the lime light, good bad or indeifferent.
Barbara Gilbert

Here it comes again! Compromise! Only, the Republicans lay down and roll over so the Democrats can have their way and the Republicans are either too dumb or too cowardly to stand up and say NO.
Barbara Gilbert

Here it comes again! Compromise! Only, the Republicans lay down and roll over so the Democrats can have their way and the Republicans are either too dumb or too cowardly to stand up and say NO.
Linda Giles

Donald Trump is a master strategist and visionery, People who have these gifts are often misunderstood. For example Gen. George Patton also had these gifts, people did not understand him either but Trump like Patton is vain, tough, and brilliant. People who don’t understand Trump wont see the prize he won in Obama’s birthcertificate. It wasn’t the birthcertificate- BUT A POWER PULL, Trump is the only person who has gotten Obama to answer to him.
The prize is who wins the power-pull.
Linda Giles

Donald Trump is a master strategist and visionery, People who have these gifts are often misunderstood. For example Gen. George Patton also had these gifts, people did not understand him either but Trump like Patton is vain, tough, and brilliant. People who don’t understand Trump wont see the prize he won in Obama’s birthcertificate. It wasn’t the birthcertificate- BUT A POWER PULL, Trump is the only person who has gotten Obama to answer to him.
The prize is who wins the power-pull.
Don Carr

If they compromise, we need to ensure their voters don’t when each comes up for reelection. Should our representatives want to remain stuck on stupid, that is fine and their right, but we who still remain free should remind them of their folly with our votes.

No quarter!
Don Carr

If they compromise, we need to ensure their voters don’t when each comes up for reelection. Should our representatives want to remain stuck on stupid, that is fine and their right, but we who still remain free should remind them of their folly with our votes.

No quarter!
http://www.usalyright.blogspot.com William R. Barker

Yes, yes, we ALL understand that it’s a spending problem, not a revenue problem, but they – including far too many establishment Republicans – seem either unwilling or unable to cut spending to the extent it needs to be cut.

As to tax hikes… pick a number… 35%… 37%… 40%… 45%… 47%… 49%…

Depending upon whose numbers you’re relying upon, up to half of American families end up paying no net federal income taxes currently.

In a word… UNACCEPTABLE.

I want these peoples federal tax rates to be raised – either that or their deductions taken away; bottom line, it is unacceptable for a huge percentage of our nation’s population to be in a word… FREELOADERS.

Are you catching my drift, here, Heritage Action?

You know, I love Heritage… I love the WSJ editorial page… but I have a nagging suspicion that the conservative elites sometimes have more in common with the progressives than one would guess.

What your tax status is shouldn’t depend upon how good your CPA is or upon how many government hoops you can jump through.

Me? I favor a graduated flat code.

Exemptions? NO…!!!

You wanna get married… have at it… stay single… your choice… have kids… stick to “parenting” a dog or cat… buy a house or rent an apartment… go to college or join the marines… YOUR CHOICE! Don’t expect me to subsidize it – or to favor penalizing you for making it.

Charitable deductions…? Why…?!?! Either you give or you don’t give. The way it works now, the fat cats “save” tax payments by “contributing” to charities and setting up trusts and the like. And who makes up for the deductions? Me! Me and everyone else!

Folks… either we believe in individual liberty and the least possible government interference in our lives or we don’t.

Let’s focus on fundamentals.
- Rodney
  
  The FAIR TAX is a consumer use tax, it is what this country needs, it encourages earning income. That is production. It will increase the GNP. It will appeal to businesses the world over, they will want to come to the USA. Check it out you will agree. A FLAT TAX still is tied to income. It is open for continuing abuses from our money hungry politicians, it is a punishment for working. The VAT is more insidious than our current system, it can be more hidden and harder to get rid of. Let’s focus on fundamentals. Our tax system is fundamentally flawed and needs to be scrapped. Let’s make April 15th just another Spring day.
http://www.usalyright.blogspot.com William R. Barker

Yes, yes, we ALL understand that it’s a spending problem, not a revenue problem, but they – including far too many establishment Republicans – seem either unwilling or unable to cut spending to the extent it needs to be cut.

As to tax hikes… pick a number… 35%… 37%… 40%… 45%… 47%… 49%…

Depending upon whose numbers you’re relying upon, up to half of American families end up paying no net federal income taxes currently.

In a word… UNACCEPTABLE.

I want these peoples federal tax rates to be raised – either that or their deductions taken away; bottom line, it is unacceptable for a huge percentage of our nation’s population to be in a word… FREELOADERS.

Are you catching my drift, here, Heritage Action?

You know, I love Heritage… I love the WSJ editorial page… but I have a nagging suspicion that the conservative elites sometimes have more in common with the progressives than one would guess.

What your tax status is shouldn’t depend upon how good your CPA is or upon how many government hoops you can jump through.

Me? I favor a graduated flat code.

Exemptions? NO…!!!

You wanna get married… have at it… stay single… your choice… have kids… stick to “parenting” a dog or cat… buy a house or rent an apartment… go to college or join the marines… YOUR CHOICE! Don’t expect me to subsidize it – or to favor penalizing you for making it.

Charitable deductions…? Why…?!?! Either you give or you don’t give. The way it works now, the fat cats “save” tax payments by “contributing” to charities and setting up trusts and the like. And who makes up for the deductions? Me! Me and everyone else!

Folks… either we believe in individual liberty and the least possible government interference in our lives or we don’t.

Let’s focus on fundamentals.
- Rodney
  
  The FAIR TAX is a consumer use tax, it is what this country needs, it encourages earning income. That is production. It will increase the GNP. It will appeal to businesses the world over, they will want to come to the USA. Check it out you will agree. A FLAT TAX still is tied to income. It is open for continuing abuses from our money hungry politicians, it is a punishment for working. The VAT is more insidious than our current system, it can be more hidden and harder to get rid of. Let’s focus on fundamentals. Our tax system is fundamentally flawed and needs to be scrapped. Let’s make April 15th just another Spring day.
Bill Barker

We all have goals to be or not to be. Why or how have we managed to elect people into the political arena to end up with a deficit. We provide them a good salary and benefits to uphold and protect our Constitution and to stay out of our personal livelihoods. To protect our borders and airways. Enhance our trade and cultures. If you find you have a fault with income and expenses. First and foremost you slow your expenses then you look for ways to increase income. Always help the needy, sick, and poor.
Bill Barker

We all have goals to be or not to be. Why or how have we managed to elect people into the political arena to end up with a deficit. We provide them a good salary and benefits to uphold and protect our Constitution and to stay out of our personal livelihoods. To protect our borders and airways. Enhance our trade and cultures. If you find you have a fault with income and expenses. First and foremost you slow your expenses then you look for ways to increase income. Always help the needy, sick, and poor.