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Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers represents the fifth district of Washington State. She is also the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, the...
 
 
 
 

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The Average American Will Have to Work 137 Days This Year to Pay Their Share of Federal Spending

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On April 15th, better known as ‘Tax Day,’ the American people reflect on the size of their tax burden and whether or not they’re receiving good value for their tax dollars.  This year, with the federal budget at $3.8 trillion, the budget deficit at $1.3 trillion, and with a host of new taxes taking effect on account of the health care bill, we have more reason than ever to be concerned about the impact that tax and spending policies are having on our economy and our freedom.  Today’s protest rallies in Eastern Washington and across America show growing frustration with President Obama and the Majority in Congress, and I share that frustration.

This year, the American people will pay more in taxes than they will spend on food, clothing and shelter combined.  According to the Tax Foundation, the average American has to work for 137 days (or from January 1 to May 17) in order to pay their personal share of all federal government spending – either through taxes or borrowing.  This represents the second-highest burden on American taxpayers since World War II (the highest was in 2009).

Furthermore, there is no relief in sight.  Starting January 1, 2011 – and over the objection of House Republicans – American taxpayers will be hit with the largest tax increase in U.S. history when the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts are set to expire.

At a time when 15 million Americans are out of work and there is so much economic uncertainty, the worst thing Congress could do is raise taxes on families and small businesses.  A better way to grow our economy is to reduce taxes, spending, and borrowing.  By restoring fiscal discipline, we can create jobs and keep the American Dream alive for future generations.

 

"Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers represents the fifth district of Washington State. She is also the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, the highest ranking woman among House Republicans.

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DogNGoose 5 pts

So where was your tax outrage in the last decade when we undertook wars on 2 fronts simultaneously for which the ENORMOUS costs were being hidden "off budget" AND at the same time the party in power (hmm, Republican as I recall) curried favor with voters with unsustainable, unaffordable tax cuts? When we went from a budget surplus to a deficit within a couple of years under the last (yep, that would be the GOP too) administration? And what do we have to show for that deficit? Here's a hint -- the money wasn't spent on infrastructure to support the future of the the US economy, on rebuilding American jobs, or on American health care or education.

I'm not thrilled by how much I'm going to be paying in taxes, either, with so much of it going to things I disagree with. But I'm seriously PO'd by elected officials who bear responsibility for this predicament but love to pretend that "gee, it just suddenly happened, don't blame me for not calling out the deceptions as they occurred, I was too busy buying into the BS as a necessary part of campaigning."