Tax Day and Tea Parties: The writing on the wall
posted at 8:48 am on April 15, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
It’s Tax Day, and across America, tens of thousands of Americans plan to attend Tea Party rallies. Our friend Andrew Malcolm notes the apparent irony of a Gallup poll that shows Americans more satisfied than historical norms about the taxes they pay. However, Gallup’s poll relates to what we pay today — and not what we’ll pay in the future:
The new survey purports that a plurality of Americans (48%) think they’re paying just about the right amount in taxes. Traditionally in American society, just the right amount in taxes is zero.
But now taxpayers are like Goldilocks on her third bowl of borrowed bear porridge. It’s just right.
A slightly smaller group that apparently drinks bottled water (46%) thinks taxes are too high.
No, really.
On this annual day of financial reckoning with the Washington crowd of talking suits spending way more money than we’re all paying combined, more Americans apparently think they’re getting their money’s worth.
Perhaps the Gallup poll does reflect the future after all. If 48% believe that their taxes are just right, it might be because that’s the exact same percentage that will pay zero in the near future, according to Barack Obama’s tax policies. With Obama’s emphasis on refundables, 48.7% of Americans will wind up paying no income tax at all. For them, zero is the right amount, and they have no reason to be unhappy … yet.
Unfortunately, in a short period of time, even those people will have to start paying taxes, and not in small amounts:
The Obama administration will be hard-pressed to avoid raising taxes on the middle class, according to economists crunching federal budget numbers in the lead-up to tax return day — today, April 15.
President Obama’s proposed changes to the tax code, combined with exploding entitlement costs, will lead to ever-growing debt, according to independent estimates. The big question for Obama and his economic team will be whether he can meet the rising costs with increased tax revenue only from small slices of the electorate. …
“You just simply can’t tax the rich enough to make this all up,” said Martin A. Sullivan, a former economic aide in the Reagan administration who said he backed Obama last fall.
“Especially just for getting the budget to a sustainable level, there needs to be a broad-based tax increase,” said Sullivan, now a contributing editor at Tax Analysts publications. “If you want to do healthcare on top of that, almost certainly, it just makes [a middle-class tax increase] all the more certain.”
What’s the debt they’re discussing? Time to break out the projected deficit chart again:
At some point, we have to start paying these bills, and when we do, it will hammer the middle class.
That’s what drives the Tea Parties — not taxes today, but all of the spending that will eventually require crushing taxes to resolve. The Obama administration plans a spending spree unlike anything outside of world wars in our history, and wants to sell a fantasy that only the rich have to pay for it. It’s ridiculous on its face. The amounts are staggeringly high, and even 100% confiscation wouldn’t begin to cover it.
We will try to get Tea Party updates during the Ed Morrissey Show today, starting at 3 pm ET. Don’t miss a minute.
Update: Michelle has the history of Tea Parties, and notes that it all began with Porkulus.
Blowback
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So uber jealous right now.
blatantblue on April 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Austin City Hall with Gov. Perry @ 11:30 a.m.
301 W. Second Street
Parking
Austin City Hall has three levels of paid underground parking for visitors to City Hall and downtown Austin.
The entrance to the parking garage is on Lavaca Street on the east side of City Hall, just past the loading dock. Upon entering, follow the signs to the public parking area. Take a ticket at the booth and find parking anywhere on P1, P2 or P3.
The maximum fee for parking is $10 a day on weekdays [$3.00/30 minutes, $9.00/3 hours].
Or, Capital Metro $3.00 day-pass includes round-trip and transfers between City Hall and the Capital.
maverick muse on April 15, 2009 at 10:16 AM
You failed to mention we will have some BBQ brisket and ribs as well!
(as long as he promises to bring some Québécois poutine)
carbon_footprint on April 15, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Gov. Rick Perry to speak on Laura Ingraham Show in a few minutes.
carbon_footprint on April 15, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I hope to get by the GSO rally… but this town has a very old-school Republican base… we’ll see what transpires.
mankai on April 15, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Someone needs to explain this to Bruce Bartlett.
besser tot als rot on April 15, 2009 at 10:23 AM
If anyone’s interested, here’s a tool you can use to see how much income tax rates will go up in response to the increased level of national debt, based on how U.S. politicians have historically done things.
ironman on April 15, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Some ACORN “volunteer” just told me that the rallies have been called off… and he gave me a pack of cigarettes for my troubles.
mankai on April 15, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Michael Savage had him on last night and roundly endorsed him for future campaigns.
It DOES take intestinal fortitude to stand up for the Constitution. If I had ambivalence about Perry before, he certainly has my support now.
maverick muse on April 15, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Brawndo’s got electrolytes.
Pcoop on April 15, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Question. Should ACORN workers be escorted out of Tea Parties, as happened in Orlando? To me, as long as they’re orderly, I’ve got no problem with them being there. Maybe they’ll learn something useful.
hawksruleva on April 15, 2009 at 10:27 AM
On my way to the Denver party…. as soon as I get some coffee in me…
Romeo13 on April 15, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The Greensboro, NC Tea Party Info Page:
http://gsoteaparty.wordpress.com/
HERE
mankai on April 15, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The Chicago Tea Party today is between noon and 2PM, Kluczynski Federal Building Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn. If you show up at Daley Plaza, that crowd will march down to Kluczynski at 12:15.
Let’s show up and get on that DHS undesirables list!
Crusty on April 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM
This morning’s guest on the Bill Bennett show expressed her distress that each American born now has a birth tax of $70,000.00!
Hey, maybe the birth tax of $70K will convince illegal aliens to go home, certainly not to keep coming.
And Michelle Obama cried, “What does that do for my children?”
maverick muse on April 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Of course 48% are happy with the level of their taxation, THEY DON’T PAY ANY INCOME TAXES!!!!
Chekote on April 15, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Look, my wife is going to the tea party in Dallas, TX. My wife!!! On her own, I’m working out of state this week.
hBefore today Her involvement in anything poltical stopped at the yearly elections of her Ladies Club.
When she told me that, I realized that this really is big!!
E9RET on April 15, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Glenn Beck reports that people are showing up at the Alamo already.
thomasaur on April 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Don’t worry, it’s like the United Kingdom, royalty doesn’t have to pay taxes.
E9RET on April 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Happy Birthday you two. You share your Birthday with history. The day America gave birth to the greatest revival of American citizens since the original Boston Tea Party in 1773. Future history and civics books will write of these days. The day that Americans took to the streets to raise the call against the tyranny of oppressive government. Silent masses no more…
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM
You’re not that far, right? It wont’s start till 7 you sure you aint comin?
ernesto on April 15, 2009 at 10:34 AM
i have a sign that says “tax illegals, not Americans”. my husband says the sign is stupid. is it?
Richmond’s tea party is tonight 6-7 pm. I’ll be there.
kelley in virginia on April 15, 2009 at 10:37 AM
we need to realize we are not alone. those of us that read these blogs know that, but we need to see local people that feel the same way.
of course, if the idjits in Congress could catch on, that would be a bonus.
kelley in virginia on April 15, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I heard that interview as well!
He is on the Laura Ingraham show right now.
carbon_footprint on April 15, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I checked out the CNN webstite to see what coverage they’re providing, and the crickets are indeed chirping.
What a disgrace.
moc23 on April 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM
MSNBC wound up covering it earlier, Chuck Todd even said that it was in fact a grassroots effort that included both sides of the political spectrum. Imagine that!
ernesto on April 15, 2009 at 10:43 AM
You and me both!
Have fun in Arlington! That one is actually closer to where I live (GP), but my mom really wants to go to Dallas and I think my kids would have a lot of fun dowtown (all kids love Reunion Tower at night). Tell the Governor “Howdy” for me!
XWing5 on April 15, 2009 at 10:44 AM
er…dowNtown
XWing5 on April 15, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Ed,
Somewhat OT, but I hope that soon you will be getting another more suitable gig. Your intelligent commentary seems increasingly out of place here. Good luck.
Click on April 15, 2009 at 10:46 AM
And that is the point, this is not a “left/right” issue. A birth tax of $70,000 does not go to only one party.
This is an American issue, and the left has just as much right to complain and protest as the right.
They are welcome, it will show that the health of the U.S. is for all to be concerned about.
No one wants the “Congressional Pirates” to take our money.
In fact, I am going to work on that sign right now.
right2bright on April 15, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Yeah, the activities of Joe Dirt America should be front page news.
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Hey, the Welfare Queen is back on her fat arse with all her worldly charm.
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 10:56 AM
You are a vile piece of trash, you know that?
Joe Dirt America? I’d imagine you haven’y gotten your hands dirty with an honest days work in your life.
Americans are exercising one of their greatest rights, open dissent against a government they don’t support and policies they disagree with. Why are you threatened by that? You need to take a long look in the mirror and realize what a disgusting, ugly person you are.
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 10:57 AM
This is just fun stuff! You should see the postings at the progressive blogs.
The classism is just oozing.
AnninCA on April 15, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I’m sure she keeps no mirrors in her tiny, roach-infested apartment…while she waits for her monthly SSI check.
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Speakup on April 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Phoenix Arizona Tea Party
Today
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
State Capitol Building
Senate Lawn
Parking in lot just east of the lawn
koz on April 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I have to make a sign, but am not sure what to write.
What will your sign say?
Tru2my2 on April 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I have found a family portrait of some Tea Party attendees
http://www.cthb.org/pics/misc/80schild.jpg
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
As everyone should know, husbands are stupid, not wives.
Loxodonta on April 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Please. Get. A. Job. Pay. Taxes.
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Tru…….I just cracked up at this one:
Henrietta got a house. All I want is a swimming pool.
*hooting8
AnninCA on April 15, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Says the woman who lives off the baby daddy.
Nice…
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I thought about something like:
END CONGRESSIONAL PIRACY
or
HEY CONGRESS: I KNOW YOU DON’T READ BILLS, BUT COULD YOU PLEASE READ THE CONSTITUTION?!
XWing5 on April 15, 2009 at 11:03 AM
kelly….would you mind if it’s on Fox News tonight?
if not, go for it!
AnninCA on April 15, 2009 at 11:03 AM
On CNN? Where they would have to complete with such in depth investigations such as Matchmakers Thrive as the Economy Slumps, Mel Gibson’s Wife Getting $500,000,000 and that oh so important coverage of– 40-or so Gal dating a Herd of Boy Toys.
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Try being partners in a successful electrician business…but I digress, very capable of chewing gum and reaming troll arse in one siting…
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Hey, isn’t Mags McCain, new leader of the Republican Party, from Phoenix? I wonder if she’ll be there.
BigD on April 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Boot The Looters
thomasaur on April 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Honestly, I love the troll comments. They reveal a disdain for the middle-class that just cracks me up. Then they want credibility over the SEIU movement because they are so sympathetic to the working fellow?
Yeah, right.
Sorry, but it’s obvious what the real attitudes are towards pocket-book Republicans/Democrats.
They think regular people are not worthy of respect. Therefore, they certainly don’t have any business making policy suggestions that are suppose to “help.”
AnninCA on April 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Partner? Is that what he tells you?
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:09 AM
More like the contract, stupid.
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Ohhh, the contract. That changes EVERYTHING! I’m sure that you contribute enough to make it legally enforceable.
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Man, I really wanna go to one of these things. I get the feeling it’s the start of something big.
Of course, I’d have to travel back in time since it’s already the 16th here.
amkun on April 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Not a peep from the cons as w destroyed the country but when the dems have to clean up your mess, you protest.
Funny.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I sure can, spam. BTW, this back n forth with a Welfare Queen Tax leech does nothing to stoke my ego–please resume with your Joe Dirt wisecracks and your reciting of the Deliverance/white ethnic joke book.
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Just found this site for slogan help.
I’m liking ‘Born Free – TAXED to DEATH’
Tru2my2 on April 15, 2009 at 11:15 AM
What is “CNN”?
Oh, that’s right, it’s the alleged “news network” that has the same talking head on 7 days a week. Said talking head never studied journalism, but that’s no problem.
CNN has in the past falsely accused the US of nerve-gassing civilians in Laos, falsely accused American soldiers of killing journalists in Iraq, happily ran videos taken by Iraqi snipers as they took out American soldiers, and gave Saddam Hussein a pass on his atrocities for a decade.
If you ask me, that’s the true definition of “Faux News”.
Del Dolemonte on April 15, 2009 at 11:15 AM
If he destroyed the country, you wouldn’t be here making a fool out of yourself on a daily basis.
BTW, O’bama is COOL. He eats Spam when he’s on vacation. Do you?
Del Dolemonte on April 15, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Yes, your ego. It’s not only about you anymore, you know.
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Unlike the esteemed Sarah Palin. She studied it for 6 years in 5 institutions before getting a BA. Then she talked to Katie Couric and forgot everything she learned.
Sad.
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Outsourcing, Iraqi and corporate welfare, collapsed banks, middle class destroyed, out of control spending and yet the cons said nothing.
Face it, you are protesting cleaning up your mess and it is ridiculous.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Ok, last word Nelly, love to stay n shoot the breeze and suffer through more of your infinite trailer park humor but work beckons…you should try it sometime…
RepubChica on April 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM
My daughter just called from the University. We have overcast skies here today, hopefully the rain will be kept at bay,but even if it comes we will be out in full force. She is psyched up for it. Ill drive out in a few hours to join her. She has her camera ready so maybe we will get some good pix. Its a college town, the park it is being held at is just across the street from the college, so I wouldnt be surprised to see anti tea party goers there. It could go either way though. I pray my best hopes are realized today and these young ones are awakened or awakening to what will be their futures. Oppressive government and overwhelming taxes. Good luck to all who are attending and/or organizing the tea parties.
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM
You see, this is where you come across as the troll that you really are. If you spent any real time here reading comments, you’d realize that at the very least conservatives were unhappy with the Republicans spending habits during the Bush years.
Also, your ignorance is showing. If spending us into debt qualifies as destroying this country, then Obama taken up the task tenfold with his uncontrolled spending.
I don’t expect you to address either one of these things, you will just move on to another thread, post a three word sentence and go back to the 24 hour Obama-worship.
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 11:22 AM
And the same people who enabled the destruction are sponsoring your tea parties.
Once again, cons are being used.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Sacramento, here I come. Woot!
Bob's Kid on April 15, 2009 at 11:24 AM
You see, this is where you come across as the troll that you really are. If you spent any real time here reading comments, you’d realize that at the very least conservatives were unhappy with the Republicans spending habits during the Bush years.
Please, the President has to clean up your mess and you know it just ignore it.
Get real.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:26 AM
For your teabaggers who can’t figure out what to put on your signs I would suggest the following from your mentor, Joe Dirt:
Life’s a Garden. Dig it!
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Are you reading what Mr.Morrissey has posted? Are you telling me that all of the unread bills passed recently by this Congress and administration are clean up bills? If so you are crazy.All that money was stimulus to pay back democrat donors. Instead of intelligently spending the taxpayer monies wisely,they blew it and now we are stuck groveling to China and paying exhorbant interest on the money they have given us. That interest alone will result in some of the highest tax increases this nation has ever seen.
On a lighter note Obamas popularity has fallen to +2.
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Outsourcing? Ah, so you are a protectionist that sees no value in the outsourcing of jobs and the benefits it can bring? I wouldn’t imagine you’d have intelligence to understand let alone fathom something like that.
The middle class was destroyed? I’m middle class? I don’t FEEL destroyed. In fact, life is pretty good. I have a good job, my wife has a good job, in fact all my middle class friends are doing really well right now.
Out of control spending? Again, look in the damned mirror before you make statements like that. If you classify Bush’s spending as out of control, then if you are in the very least honest, you have to admit that Obama took up the same mantle and took it even further. (which is what people are protesting against, if you aren’t bright enough to figure that out)
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM
How about a sign saying:
Please do not clean up our mess.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:28 AM
So Obama is cleaning up Bush’s mess, by creating a bigger mess? (because he is doing exactly what Bush did, except on a much grander scale).
You truly can’t have an original, well reasoned thought can you?
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 11:30 AM
The President was elected to clean up your mess and he is.
You are protesting that and it is silly.
If anybody should be protesting, it is California under gop rule.
Their taxes are protest worthy.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:34 AM
My wife is going to two Tea Parties today, one in Tucson and the other in our town, Sierra Vista, AZ. She is taking the kids out of school to attend as an education concerning citizenship and state’s rights. I will be attending the local one after work.
We are also going to reduce our tax burden. This is her last week of work. We will have a bit less money but so will the federal government. What she made caused our tax rate to increase close to 7%. Done feeding the beast more than necessary.
usarmyretired on April 15, 2009 at 11:35 AM
The real issue spurring the protest is the enormous spending program we are seeing. That will roll up 10 trillion in additional debt, most of it spent after the recovery is already in place; likely by the end of this year.
This robbery of future generations is like grabbing a baby out of his cradle and instead of turning him upside down and shaking his life savings out of his pockets, we will be shaking his future earnings out of him.
Saddling our children, who cannot vote with debt they will have to pay so that we can spend on ourselves now, is exactly the kind of taxation without representation that the Boston Tea Party crowd was protesting.
KW64 on April 15, 2009 at 11:35 AM
BigD on April 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
No, probably not. She’s busy trying to find another 15 minutes of fame, more than likely.
And….party politics is the LAST thing on the minds of those of us attending, or those of us who can’t but wish they could.
koz on April 15, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Getalife doesnt read charts. Bush deficit ends on line where it says a bit over -400. Obama deficit begins at -1.85 Trillion and ends on the line-oh crap it doesnt end even in 2019. See the chart above Getalife-just under where it says
Who is going to pay for these deficits??? WE THE PEOPLE ARE.
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Well, you can’t argue with that logic.
capitulus on April 15, 2009 at 11:37 AM
usarmyretired on April 15, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Tucson committee has done a lot of hard work and good planning, and I hope their event turns out well. Didn’t know there was one in Sierra Vista, but that’s great news!
Have a tremendous day today.
koz on April 15, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I guess she thinks making a pile of crap an even bigger pile of crap is cleaning it up because it is no longer visible.
thomasaur on April 15, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Can’t find it but a friend called me to tell me there was a statement saying Obama was unaware of the tea parties!
What is he doing? Playing with the dog?
torrejranne on April 15, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Sierra Vista, AZs grew quickly because we cannot all leave work and drive to Tucson, though it would be great. Ours is in Veteran’s Memorial Park from 4 to 6 pm. If you are local come join us. It was organized by a few other folks, I just heard about it two days ago.
usarmyretired on April 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Well, the sponsor of these tea parties , fox news, will be entertaining today.
Yes, the same folks who cheered on w’s destruction and attacked our President on day 1.
Pitiful.
getalife on April 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Yeah, not a “peep”, dumba$$… what the hell you think we’ve been doing since he pushed the LEFTY-SUPPORTED prescription drug entitlement?
I wrote to any GOP organization I could find. We also went ballistic over the $300 Billion deficits (now know as the “glory days” of deficits). I stopped ALL giving to mainstream GOP organizations.
So, I guess you’re on a writing campaign demanding the Democrats stop spending like, well, Democrats?
mankai on April 15, 2009 at 11:44 AM
There are many reasons that Obama was elected, but faith in his ability to clean up a mess, that isn’t of them. There would have needed to be some kind of experience or record to back something like that up.
You can think it’s silly all you want, but you will be wrong. You can’t honestly look at the numbers that come from Obama’s policies, compare them to Bush’s and come to the conclusion that it’s okay for Obama to overspend, but it wasn’t okay for Bush to overspend? Either they were both right (they weren’t) or they are both wrong (they are).
Either way, what you see today are Americans exercising their right to protest the direction the country is headed, so.. get over it already.
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Nice smack down. Trolls require burning though.
kybowexar on April 15, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Send us note from the Socialist re-education camps… Piss away your own freedoms… you can then thank us some day for rescuing them from your government masters.
mankai on April 15, 2009 at 11:47 AM
You used the word “think”. From the content “it’” posts, I don’t think that ever happens.
It is a broken record, that shills for Obama and can’t see the hypocrisy of praising him for the doing what Bush did, on a much grander, more destructive scale.
And come on GET A LIFE? You are complaining about Fox being critical of Obama (when no one else is), when Bush suffered eight years of vitriol from the media?
You need to grow a thicker skin and get over it.
ManInBlack on April 15, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I would so like to hit the Tucson Tea Party, but alas I have the toddler this morning. Protests & very young children aren’t a good mix…
SkinnerVic on April 15, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Or this…
canditaylor68 on April 15, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Well, the Ronulan Tea Party usurper, having been duly removed from his self assigned post, has left a comment on the blog and all i can say is whoa…
And we caught hell for daring to question this guy’s connections.
tree hugging sister on April 15, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Nice smack down. Trolls require burning though.
kybowexar on April 15, 2009 at 11:46 AM
True, but it messes up my screen (though the fireball spell I used earlier did not help either!)
Sadly, ignoring them seems the best thing – but RepubChica was doing a nice smackdown though. She was even polite – well civil anyway. (laugh)
kybowexar on April 15, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Now, now, you just haven’t learned to exploit the children well enough. Put a sign on the little one that says “I alread owe the government $70,000″ and them parade them in front of a camera.
BigD on April 15, 2009 at 11:54 AM
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