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Republican politicians in Washington are touting middle-class tax cuts in the “The Big Beautiful Bill.” While I don’t deny the existence of a “middle-class” tax cut (though minuscule as it is), omitted is mention of the overwhelming negative effects of their tax plan. It dramatically short changes us middle-class taxpayers, and less fortunate Americans.
The Tax Policy Center reports that individuals making $217,000 or more, representing 20 percent of tax payers, receive about 57 percent of the tax breaks and the remaining 80 percent of us receive about 43 percent.
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy states that the middle 20 percent of taxpayers receive only 10 percent of the tax cuts while the top 5 percent of taxpayers receive 45 percent of the tax cuts next year. The Congressional Budget Office also estimates this bill will increase our federal budget deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade.
How much better for the middle class and less fortunates if trillions in tax cuts over the next 10 years were used for middle-class tax cuts and funding rather than cutting safety net programs, such as Medicaid, nutritional programs, support for the Affordable Care Act, fuel assistance, and other programs with shortfalls, such as Social Security and Medicare.
This could be accomplished by returning the top tax bracket to or near the pre-Reagan years of 70 percent. Democrats have proposed this type of approach, but Republicans have blocked their attempts. I believe the recently passed legislation is morally unjust, and heartless.
Rich Stuart
Thomaston
