I've been trying to keep up on the whole Buffett Rule argument, but I admit that there's a part of me that has kind of given up. Both the Republican and Democratic parties decided long ago that what's best for the country isn't nearly as important as thumbing their noses at their opponents. Anyone who claims otherwise just isn't paying attention. Worse yet, there's nowhere to get an unbiased view on how this tax will really affect the economy. The media is no less one-sided than Congress.
It seems to me that the Democrats have a point. It really is ridiculous that those making money entirely through investments don't pay very much in taxes. I understand that the hope is that millionaires will invest that money back into the economy, helping everyone. The problem with that is that it hasn't worked like that. Since the time of Reagan, the idea of a "trickle down" economy hasn't done much to help the middle or lower classes. Instead, by all reports, the gap between the wealthy and the average has grown to ridiculous proportions.
Of course, the Republicans have a point, too. To counter the Buffett Rule, Republicans have presented their own plan to help the economy. They want to give businesses a massive tax cut in order to stimulate them into a hiring frenzy. They make the point that so long as businesses are worried about having to pay hefty taxes for every employee they hire, they just won't hire. That's sure as hell not going to benefit anyone, but most especially the unemployed masses. It appears to me that the Republicans are just as right as the Democrats.
Now, it seems like the smart thing to do is a combination of both the Buffett Rule and the Business Tax Cut. They can balance one another out, plus encourage economic growth. Right? I mean, I'm no expert, and there could be some huge holes in this plan, but it doesn't matter. This could be the most brilliant economic plan ever, and it would never happen. Because in order for the Tax the Rich/Cut Business Taxes plan to work, the Democrats and the Republicans would have to *gasp* work toward something other than bringing the other party down. And that's what frustrates me!
I don't trust a single member of the House or the Sentate to do what's right. They are so caught up in what's right for their party that what's right for the country doesn't even enter into it. And the longer this goes on, the more I find myself dead set against our two-party system. We need more options, more strong options, beyond the two we are currently stuck with. The only way that's going to happen is for our current government to stop officially supporting just the Democrats and the Republicans. No more $1 donations on our tax forms for just one or the other. The Electoral College should be revamped completely, and there should be better financial controls over election parties. And we, as a people, need to make the time to read up on candidates beyond The Big Two.
It should no longer be a throw-away vote if one opts for the Green Party or Libertarian Party. Being an independent shouldn't mean we're prime meat for the Republicans or the Democrats. It should mean that we're looking for the best candidate regardless of which party he or she belongs to.
So my challenge to you is to really take a look at who is out there to vote for. Don't take the easy route of voting for the party just because it's always who you vote for. Know what each candidate - from ALL of the parties - stands for, and vote on the issues rather than brand recognition. And for heaven's sake, don't get all of your news from one or two sources. Look around! Find different perspectives. Take the time to educate yourself before you punch that card in November, because when it comes down to it, it's our fault when it all goes left, and quite frankly, I'm tired of the mess we've managed to create for ourselves.
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