Soak the rich

What is it with Democrats and capitalism? They sound like they don’t understand or like America’s economic system, as though the free market is infected with cooties. From there they argue raising taxes on people who own small businesses (and create most of the new jobs in this country) is sound policy and besides, they can afford it. U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., was on “Hardball” with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, talking about how wealthier Americans should pay more in taxes simply for living in such a wonderful country. Yes, it is a wonderful land, but how is that a reason for one group of people to pay a higher tax rate than others? Other Dems say similar things — the rich won’t miss the extra they pay in taxes, they’ve been luckier than everyone else and should pay more, etc.

On another show Democratic Whip Chris Van Hollen basically argued keeping taxes lower (vs. higher) for top income earners doesn’t foster economic growth. Just look at the recession at the end of the Bush years, Van Hollen said. Tax cuts didn’t stop that downturn. Of course, Van Hollen omits mention of the cost of two wars, the burst of the housing bubble and high spending (first by Republicans and then Democrats) — all of which is quite a tide to be neutralized by folks in the 35 percent (39.6 percent if the Democrats get their way).

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