Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank seems to like to mock progressives almost as much as he likes to go after Glenn Beck. So it’s no surprise that he turned out to “cover” the unveiling of a budget plan by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (4/13/11).
Milbank seems to think that little explanation is needed—these crazy ideas are just obviously crazy:
Among the highlights: a $4 trillion tax increase over 10 years. An increase in the top tax rate to 49 percent. A $2.3 trillion defense spending cut—and an increase in domestic spending. Oh, and they would revive the “public option” to offer government-run healthcare.
Putting “increase” in italics is Milbank’s way of saying, “Can you believe these people?!” And it’s worth pointing out that the “public option” isn’t “government-run healthcare,” but these are details.
He goes to present the nightmare vision of the future:
Still, it gives a sense of how things would be if liberals ran the world: no cuts in Social Security benefits, government-negotiated Medicare drug prices, and increased income and Social Security taxes for the wealthy. Corporations and investors would be hit with a variety of new fees and taxes. And the military would face a shock-and-awe accounting: a 22 percent cut in Army soldiers, 30 percent for the Marines, 20 percent for the Navy and 15 percent for the Air Force. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would end, and weapons programs would go begging.
Keeping Social Security as is, reducing Medicare drug prices, raising taxes on corporations, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan…. I’m sorry, are these ideas supposed to sound absurd on their face? Someone should tell the people, since much of this would be broadly popular. At least, that seems to be the case when the people are asked what they think.
Better watch your language, though—Milbank points out that this talk about “the people” is a little creepy:
Their oft-repeated slogan, “The People’s Budget,” conveyed an unhelpful association with “the people’s republic” and other socialist undertakings.
An “unhelpful association” made by the writer. Glenn Beck might be leaving Fox, which might open up some room for others in the media to ferret out the socialists among us.
The nightmare vision of the future sound pretty awesome to me!
Peter, I think we need to watch our language here.
You seem to accept the corpress equation that socialism equals totalitarian communism, when the term can mean any number of things, can’t it?
For me, it’s embodied in the dictum, “From each according to her talents, to each according to his needs.” That’s from Mr. Karl, but it’s also from a certain JC, and many other religions and philosophies, isn’t it?
What it boils down to in whatever version folks adhere to is a sense of solidarity among us all, of giving a rat’s ass what happens to others, and doing so not in a “charitable” manner, but in the realization that we are all in this together, and are all equally worthy of respect.
Certainly this budget is better than Ryan’s tempest in a teapot, or Dear Misleader’s “kinder, gentler” austerity package, but it’s not good enough by any measure, if you think that we’re facing the greatest challenges in the history of our species, which the Vulcan in me finds a highly logical conclusion.
And those challenges can only be met by looking beyond the acceptable paradigm, or even slightly outside it. Socialism, as a principle, not a dogma, seems to me a vital part of that view, and one that gets very little love in much of the “alternative” media.
Should we chalk that up to a reactionary scare campaign, or to a “progressive” blind spot, one that might be characterized as wilful?
What do you think?
I wrote an analysis yesterday on this very same Milbank article. However, I focused more on his attempt to make a false equivalent between The People’s Budget and the Ryan Plan. He actually tried to make the case that The People’s Budget is a far left version of the far right Ryan Plan, as if the two are equally distant from reality and public opinion. Check out my post at http://raniakhalek.com/2011/04/14/dana-milibanks-false-equivalency/
Preposterous! Absurd! Beyond the pale! Utterly mad!
Where do I sign up?
Thanks, Doug, for writing the response I thought was needed to this piece. While I like 99% of what FAIR does, I too have seen a repeated bias against socialism. Since none of us want to see a repetition of “socialist” Russia or China, and most of us understand that capitalism is inherently economically unstable and environmentally destructive, it is incumbent on us to come up with an alternative. For my part, I like Michael Lebowitz’ definition of socialism as:
1) Social, not private or state, ownership and management of wealth (economic and natural wealth)
2) Wholly democratic participation in and control of our communities and workplaces
3) Production not for self-interest and profit, but communal needs and purposes
Given 2) and 3), it even comes with a recipe to get there: mass, solidarian democratic action. Now, that’s some change I can actually believe in!
I like the definition William F. Buckley Sr. gave William F. Buckley Jr.: economic democracy.
Senior told Junior it was the enemy. When Junior inherited the oil money from Senior, he made it his life’s work to discourage full democracy.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just not in the know, but I like the idea of freedom in the sense of freedom to participate in the obligations of the government, in community, to be a part of humanity on the whole as in we are all in this together. The worst of the rich think they are an island and created all that they have by the sweat of their brow and that they should be able to keep it, but they leave out all that contributed to their success, the roads they travel on, the post office they use, the traffic lights that guide them, the government policies that protect their businesses, the police force that keep them safe, and on and on. I do not think the individual freedom conservatives rail on is what the Greeks meant by freedom. Give a listen to this:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgh1ol_according-to-the-ancient-greeks-you-re-not-free_news
Dana Milbank is a dillweed, he has never impressed me as anything other than a hubristic know nothing who can only create false dichotomies. I do not know why he wastes our time.
In spite of the rejection of “Mcarthyism”, the brainwashing of the better-dead-than-red infection still persists in this country. A large portion of our citizenry has lost it’s ability to think rationally. // Jean Clelland-Morin
Red, Michael’s prescription sounds like good medicine to me.
I wish I had the synapses to lay out the blueprint for a just world, but I can keep pointing to why it’s essential – for our humanity, and for our survival.
I try to be an empiricist, so I have to think the odds are most likely insurmountable, but if we’re here for any reason, it’s to give a damn about each other, and the rest of life on this here rock, isn’t it?
So whatever the result, it’s the effort that defines us as human, wouldn’t you say?
Greed has no limits. And the greedy wish to help themselves to my meager SS. Here again is a water carrier for the greedy- ignominy will be his reward.
Doug, we don’t need a blueprint so much as an understanding of what a democratic, protagonistic society might look like. With even the bare bones of that in mind, the answer to “How do we get there?” is easy: democratic, protagonistic action.
As you say, it’s about recognizing and respecting the common humanity in us all, and acting in ways that reflect and sustain it — which includes having a healthy rather than parasitic relation to the Earth.
The odds, of course, are daunting. But every inroad we make counts. Even when we are unsuccessful in the short-term, like in Wisconsin, we make contacts and build solidarity, which is the only way to propel further actions in the future.
Over the longer-term, capitalism’s need for “growth,” will, just like a cancer, push the planet past its ability to cope. As Lebowitz puts it elsewhere, our choice is either socialism or barbarism.
I only wish the CPCs budget were printed ,and discussed on every station,in every news print ,and around every water cooler.The best way to get rid of this progressive nonsense is to hear it out,and take count of those that proudly stand behind this reworking of America.
A $4 trillion tax increase on top earners over 10 years. An increase in the top marginal tax rate to 49 percent. A $2.3 trillion defense spending cut, an increase in domestic safety net spending, adding the “public option” to offer government-run healthcare, Keeping Social Security as is, reducing Medicare drug prices, raising taxes on corporations, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan….
Not perfect, but a step in the right direction
Well Helen what you just said was(if i may)…..Tax tax tax those that you deem able to afford it -up to 49% in Federal income tax rates.Now since between federal ,state,and the rest- those people are already taxed at near 50%.Now factor in taxes on goods and services and pretty much everything that moves and we are nearing that magic punitive confiscation number that screams out WHY THE HELL AM I SO EDUCATED AND WORKING SO HARD?Then you want to raise the corporate tax rate that is already the highest in the world even higher because you think we will be more competitive?And this you feel will pay for more spending in “domestic safety nets”…Obama care….SS….Medicare….and anything else Dems can dream up.You want to lower drug prices.Will the government enforce some type of measure in that direction?You do mention cutting spending in only one direction.That would be the military.What would you cut for 2.3trillion?
Just heard the government is going to sell its GM stock soon.WE the people own 500 million shares at $53 apiece.They will likely sell at around $30 apiece.THat is called a bath and you the tax payers(or at least the top 20% will be paying for another great government Obama run business deal.
There was also a DEM proposal today to put college students in Princeton(and most other schools) on food stamps!See you profs and your teachers unions will accept no cuts.They will simply pass it on to the same 20% that is paying for everything else.
How is that carbon tax coming?Who will pay for that?Same 20% i guess.
Not perfect?How about its just another small step for man(into a pile of horse dung)Another large liberal step for mankind toward fiscal insanity.
If I did not know better I would think you are trying to collapse this country on purpose.
“Well Helen what you just said was(if i may)â┚¬Ã‚¦..Tax tax tax those that you deem able to afford it -up to 49% in Federal income tax rates.”
No, I didn’t say that. A top marginal rate of 49% does not equal an effective rate of 49%. The proposal being discussed has the top rate starting at income above $1 billion. [That would leave them much lower than they were from 1960-1980]
Raising taxes on corporations means closing loopholes, not raising the top rates. Currently the effective corporate tax rate is 25% because of the varying rates big companies pay.
“You want to lower drug prices.Will the government enforce some type of measure in that direction?”
I wrote “reducing Medicare drug prices,” which wasn’t as clear as it should have been. “Reducing the drug prices Medicare pays.” That would be done by changing Part D to allow Medicare to negotiate bulk pricing the same way the VA currently does.
The proposed defense department cuts would be over 10 years. The $2.3 trillion is probably unrealistically high. $1.5 trillion over 10 years is much more doable. You can currently find $100 billion in waste and fraud a year without breathing hard.
After a good nights sleep, I’m going to walk this statement “You can currently find $100 billion in waste and fraud a year without breathing hard.” back a bit.
You could easily find $100 billion in fraud today, and fraud every year going forward, but not $100 billion a year forever [I hope].
The budget plan by the Congressional Progressive Caucus does sound nice: if you’re psychotic!
Actually, I agree with ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq while cutting military spending. But that’s the only part that sounds reasonable. The rest is nothing more than a socialist wet dream that would only bring about an economic collapse.
How does it even make sense to suggest raising taxes for corporations and â┚¬Ã…“the richâ┚¬Ã‚ (a label that is rarely defined)? Corporate taxes are already high. And as for â┚¬Ã…“the richâ┚¬Ã‚ (once again, never given a concrete definition) not paying their fair share: the richest 1% already pay 40% of total income tax, while the richest 10% pay 70%. So what constitutes a fair share? 100%? 110%?
Call me a corporate shill all you want. The fact remains that I don’t have an irrational hatred for those who earn more than me, and thus promote solutions that would cause more harm than good.
As far as real solutions go, the federal government spends the most on these three: defense, Medicare/Medicaid, & Social Security. That is where we need to make cuts. Instead, we have made cuts to minor programs such as NPR and Planned Parenthood. That is akin to tossing out a thimble of water to keep the Titanic afloat.
But what else can we expect? Neither party wants to touch the big three golden calves they have created. If they were serious, they would end both wars, withdraw our troops from all our bases overseas, slash defense spending, and privatize Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security. But they won’t. They would rather maintain our current warfare/welfare state. Any cuts would simply compromise it. They only wish to continue increasing the power of the state and decreasing our power as individual citizens. Tis the nature of the beast.
Oh boy you do like to stir the pot don’t you?Unfortunately liberalism demands that every social program once added -shall for all time be deemed untouchable.Talk of moving spending back to Clintonian times is seen as madness. Though in the same breath they will carry on how good things were in those times.It is the inevitable mission creep of liberalism.
They will of course eventually agree to cut the military.
I was looking at polls on attitudes about Americas future .Obama has not inspired confidance.Just the opposite.It seem CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN has at its core not a bigger and better America.But a “smaller and less” cripple- limping along. Pardon me if i pass on the belief.
michael e: with due respect – your pants are on fire.
Note michael e’s falsehoods are without sources. Let’s correct that:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/29/irs-high-income-personal-finance-taxes_0129_wealthy_americans.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_tax_levels_in_the_United_States
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/04/14/japan-has-worlds-highest-corporate-tax-rate/
so it’s mike e vs. the Business Roundtable, Forbes, the Census, the Voice of America …
Your figure on tax rates are wrong.japan did hold the highest rate at 39.5%.We are listed a couple tenths below that.Japan will soon cut their rate by 5%.We will under Obama soon be number one…and heading up.
As far as tax.Oh boy I do love creative accounting.Lets play a game.An old math game of apples and miles.You win a million dollars(or earn).Buy a house for 250k.Fill it up with stuff worth 50 k.Buy a car for 30 k.Fix up stuff for 20K.Pay for life on a daily basis without any government assistance.Now to the uniformed you would think you still have about 650k right?To pop into the bank and rub your greedy hoard.How much do you really have after one year?Remember you are taxed right off.Then there is state tax.Then there is a tax on everything you bought.You have house tax.School tax. sundry taxes. Tax on everything that moves or doesn’t move.How much is left?That does not of course figure in the devaluation of the dollar caused by government induced inflation.Reports indicate that between one thing or another our dollar is shrinking to the point that we have between 30-40 cents left on every Washington.This is real life.This is my life.I have a practice.Want to see my tax bill?It would turn your hair white.So liberal accounting aside that would indicate i have not really paid taxes in my lifetime…We on this rung who are carrying the burden and struggling to reap the rewards of a long education,work and study process are most definitely wondering for our kids and ourselves…is it worth it anymore.Honestly i would say no.
Ps New york times had an article (21rst) bout a very rich man in New york who owns some famous resturant there on the island.Young fellow.He is selling all his belongings.. liquidating all his businesses. Putting tons of people out of work. Selling everything and buying gold and getting the hell out of NY to find tax havens,and better cost of living.He is doing this in protest of the current tax structure.Laugh all you want.It is happening everywhere.I know several doctors personally who are taking early retirement. Downsizing their lives and just fishing while the sun shines.It is not worth it.A young man asked me the other day if I would go through med school today with the cost and the future prospects.No i would not.And maybe the worse thing is that young people are bright and will pick up on this.Im sure you have seen the downturn in American entrances into the advanced sciences.It is all interconnected,and non sustainable.What works is to get off peoples backs and let them achieve their dreams.Bill gates is perfect example.Now Obama says when is enough enough?Lets go back in time and say enough was when Bill earned his first million.
“A new study says that Japan has the world’s highest corporate tax rate â┚¬” just under 39 percent of companies’ income. The study, released Thursday, showed the effective U.S. corporate tax rate is 27.7 percent. ”
“Your figure on tax rates are wrong. Japan did hold the highest rate at 39.5% We are listed a couple tenths below that.”
Uh, those numbers are from April 14th, 2011 and were created on behalf of an anti-tax group.
Even if we were using the dubious 35% rate, that’s not “a couple tenths.”
——————-
The Internal Revenue Service found that in 2007 the 400 top-earning tax returns showed income totaling $137.9 billion, and that those 400 taxpayers paid $22.9 billion in federal income taxes. That works out to a 16.6 percent tax rate.
Americans will spend an average of 28% of their income to pay federal, state and local taxes this year, the Tax Foundation said in March.
Even that should be taken with a grain of salt, because the Tax Foundation overestimates the average federal taxes paid. CBO data shows that over 80 percent of U.S. households pay federal tax at a lower rate than the Tax Foundation’s estimated â┚¬Ã…“averageâ┚¬Ã‚ federal tax burden.
http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=background.view&backgroundid=524#_ftn9
“Im sure you have seen the downturn in American entrances into the advanced sciences.”
Yeah, that’s caused by more young people going to business school.
Meanwhile…..Wall Street Journal 4/20/11 : Did New Jersey’s â┚¬Ã‹Å“Millionaire’ Tax Drive Away Wealthy?
A new study focusing on New Jersey provides some of the most detailed evidence yet that so-called millionaire taxes have little effect on the movements of millionaires as a whole.
The study, by sociologists Cristobal Young at Stanford and Charles Verner at Princeton, studied the migration patterns of New Jersey’s millionaires before and after 2004, when the state imposed a â┚¬Ã…“millionaire’s taxâ┚¬Ã‚ that raised rates on those earning $500,000 or more to 8.97% from 6.37%.
The study found that the overall population of millionaires increased during the tax period. Some millionaires moved out, of course. But they were more than offset by the creation of new millionaires.
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/04/20/did-new-jerseys-millionaire-tax-drive-away-wealthy/