Why Can Biden Raise Taxes and Still Get Reelected
After decades of fearing voter backlash from higher taxes, Biden has sized up his Republican opposition and decided taxes can go up and Democrats can get elected. What is the calculation Biden has made?
It is a calculation about religion, which also goes under the title of "cultural wars." Biden sees his victory along with declining church membership tied to the increasingly religious Republican party. The coast ahead looks clear for bigger government and higher taxes to pay for it. The Republican Party is playing right into his hand.
The corporations we see putting their backs up in Georgia against legislation to limit voting is a signal the marriage between the low tax corporate sector and the religious right is headed for a divorce. Corporations tolerated the religious right when is generated the votes they needed to keep taxes down. Now they have concluded the religious right is helping to raise taxes and cause more regulation.
In my old age various experiences and things people said come bouncing back. One was Bob Dole. Decades ago when Jerry Falwell was organizing the "Morale Majority." There was no doubt it would be a Republican voting block. I remember Senator Bob Doles smiling and saying, "The Republican Party has a big tent." What he intended was to ignore what the Religious Right wanted but harvest their votes to lower taxes and reduce regulations. It was a successful enterprise for Dole's aims. Taxes are low and deregulation has been widespread. It has not helped the religious right much. Roe is still there and gay rights which came along later ran over the opposition to gay marriage roughshod.
If the religious right would suddenly wake up and realize it might get something instead of nothing by moderating its impossible dogmas things might not go well for Biden and Democrats. Instead, the right seems to dig in ever deeper making higher taxes and more regulation a cake walk.
Of the two groups, low tax business people and cultural warrior Republican Christians, there is a difference in their understanding of reality. The low tax branch of Republicans recognized mistake was made and a divorce is needed. Right wing religious conservatives have no idea what is happening.
It's way too early to pass judgment, but my opinion on Biden's presidency so far is less than favorable. That's more due to his inability to control the Democrats in Congress. We shall see what the next four years brings, but I suspect another possible backlash in 2024 if his administration continues down this path. That will depend on how divided the GOP remains. If the Trump supporters continue to alienate non-Trump Republicans, it's going to be a very long eight years for the GOP.
ReplyDeleteBut the one thing that really befuddles me is how anti-free-market the GOP has become. I truly believe that the Citizen's United ruling was the correct ruling, and it'll be interesting to see what the outcome will be with corporate America flexing its muscles. There is legitimate cause for concern, though, as any organization becoming too powerful is a threat to freedom and democracy.
"Why Can Biden Raise Taxes and Still Get Reelected"
ReplyDeleteThat is a simple answer. He can't.
Question: How do 5 supporters show up at Biden's election rallies, and he has record breaking election returns? He can't.
Question: How does Biden have 632 people watching his town halls, and he has record breaking election returns? He can't.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/biden-claims-over-20-million-people-have-watched-his-livestreams-but-only-632-people-watched-his-coronavirus-town-hall-on-youtube-video/
The truth eventually comes out as painfully long as it sometimes takes. People are just not that excited about Joe. Never really have been. If there is a hint of a rumor that Trump will make an appearance, wherever he goes, the place is wall-to-wall people.
I do not take medical advice from ABC News, etal. Nor do I take political advice from them, either. They simply can't be entrusted to watch an event, and report on the occurrence. The story from point 'A' of event occurring to point 'B' of reporting get all discombobulated. 1 hour of speaking usually gets parsed down to a 2 second soundbite shown out of context in order to benefit Team D.
It took four long, painful years to settle the "Russia Collusion" question with Trump for a bill to the taxpayer of $46 million. Those liars cost us a lot of money trying to smear a sitting president with false information. The truth prevailed. It also will on Election 2020, and it will not be pretty.
Henry--As to big crowds, Trump has a big budget which pays for people to work phones and turn out crowds. You may recall, one of his people was tasked with filling a stadium. When Trump spotted empty seats the guy was fired.
DeleteThere is a Texas phrase for big crowds, flowery but empty rhetoric and promises Trump won the election, "All hat and no cattle."
An actual Texas phrase from Texas would have a different take on Trump. They kind of love him down there. Your phrase is more like an adaptation from ABC News Tonight.
DeleteActually, the opposite is true. For the Trump campaign memorabilia, Trump made his supporters pay for the campaign supplies.....which they gladly did, because they like him. His campaign did not force themselves onto supporters with endless supplies of stickers, banners, signs, etc. Trump supporters had to willfully go on line at their own choice and buy the Trump gear. There were a lot of Trump signs, bumper stickers, etc across the country the public wanted. Your narrative is in conflict with this reality, although they did not have to pay to attend a rally. The public wanted to see him. The public wanted his Trump gear. I know that is baffling to some, and the only rebuttal to that is apparently hollow rhetoric that doesn't follow reality. Welcome to ABC News Tonight.