Tax Day

Well here in the United States, it's Tax Day. Many people across the United States are upset at the amount of money they have to give the government in return for such services as liberating the people of Iraq or being able to eat a hot dog in relative safety. Rest assured, Congress is working quickly to cut programs and benefits in order to provide tax cuts for those who desire them.

One area that Congress has decided, in its wisdom, to cut is Veterans Benefits. Paul Krugman, who I like more and more with each article he writes, puts it this way; "As the war began, members of the House of Representatives gave speech after speech praising our soldiers, and passed a resolution declaring their support for the troops. Then they voted to slash veterans' benefits.

Some of us have long predicted that the drive to cut taxes on corporations and the wealthy would lead to a fiscal dance of the seven veils. One at a time, the pretenses would be dropped — the pretense that big tax cuts wouldn't preclude new programs like prescription-drug insurance, the pretense that the budget would remain in surplus, the pretense that spending could be cut painlessly by eliminating waste and fraud, the pretense that spending cuts wouldn't hurt the middle class.

There are still several veils to remove before the true face of "compassionate conservatism" is revealed, but we're getting there."

Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) received a letter from one of his constituents that perhaps puts it even better.

To:
Rep. Jim Kolbe

April 14, 2003

Sir, I have been reading many articles that suggest that the upcoming budget proposed by this administration will, aside from providing tax relief for the upper class, also cut veterans benefits. As an unemployed disabled veteran who depends on the services from the VA just to survive I am deeply troubled by what I am hearing. Today Pres. Bush was lauding the accomplishments of the military and the sacrifices made. If this budget is implemented and VA services are cut, is that the support and gratitude the President was talking about?

Tucson , AZ

Something to consider in the middle of complaining about Taxes.