More proof the Republicans aren't really serious about the budget deficit

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What do Republicans really care about? Cutting the deficit, or cutting taxes on rich people? The AP reports, you decide:

The IRS has dramatically increased its pursuit of tax cheats in the past decade: Audits are up, property liens are up and asset seizures are way up. President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress see stepped up enforcement as a good way to narrow the nation's staggering budget deficit without raising tax rates or cutting popular spending programs.

....IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman told the committee Tuesday that the $600 million cut in this year's budget would result in the IRS collecting $4 billion less through tax enforcement programs. The Democrat-controlled Senate is unlikely to pass a budget cut that big. But given the political climate on Capitol Hill, Obama's plan to increase IRS spending is unlikely to pass, either. That $600 million cut is part of the Republican budget plan, and even if we assume that Shulman is talking his book, it's a dead certainty that cutting the auditing budget will be a net loser for the deficit. However, it's also a dead certainty that cutting the auditing budget will primarily benefit rich people who are cheating on their taxes.

The AP dispatch also reports that Republicans are planning a retro-style blast from the past: a reenactment of the infamous Roth hearings of the 90s, in which IRS agents were portrayed as jackbooted thugs who waved guns around and extorted money out of innocent, hardworking small businessmen. Virtually none of it turned out to be true, but it didn't matter: the Roth hearing led to budget cuts that crippled the IRS's auditing capability for years. The rich cheered then, and they're cheering now too.

But the budget deficit? That's a worry for another day.

http://motherjones.c...ans-really-want

Edited March 2, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[mawilson 2,133]

the $600 million cut in this year's budget ... The Democrat-controlled Senate is unlikely to pass a budget cut that big.

Hahahahahahahahaha.

A $600 million cut is less than 0.0004 (4/100 of 1 percent) of the deficit (which is $1.5 TRILLION.)

What a joke.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hahahahahahahahaha.

A $600 million cut is less than 0.0004 (4/100 of 1 percent) of the deficit (which is $1.5 TRILLION.)

What a joke.

A $600 million investment that yields 4 billion in uncollected taxes is significant.

Edited March 2, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[mawilson 2,133]

A $600 million investment that yields 4 billion in uncollected taxes is significant.

No, it's not. Out national debt goes up by $4 billion per day - EVERY DAY.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No, it's not. Out national debt goes up by $4 billion per day - EVERY DAY.

One hundred and fifty of those 'little' deficit reducers would come close to the GOP's budget cut proposals.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

No, it's not. Out national debt goes up by $4 billion per day - EVERY DAY.

Don't try to reason with Steven. He is so blinded with hatred for the right that he is beyond all rational thought. In his mind anything that isn't "progressive" is evil that must be exposed. His posts since the last election shows a man who can't sleep nights because of his blind hatred for the right. I just dismiss anything he says as a FAR LWN's rants.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Examples of General Fraud Investigations - Fiscal Year 2011

[mawilson 2,133]

One hundred and fifty of those 'little' deficit reducers would come close to the GOP's budget cut proposals.

You can't balance the budget with this insignificant bullshіt.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You can't balance the budget with this insignificant bullshіt.

So you disagree with the GOP's budget cuts?

[mawilson 2,133]

So you disagree with the GOP's budget cuts?

They don't go far enough, as usually is the case with everything they do.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

They don't go far enough, as usually is the case with everything they do.

Any examples of economic austerity working right now in the world?

[mawilson 2,133]

Any examples of economic austerity working right now in the world?

China - one country that doesn't spend more than it takes in.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

China - one country that doesn't spend more than it takes in.

There was a time that banks did that as well.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It's not the taxes. 'It's the spending stupid.'