Here at the Kos, we are all about electing more and better Democrats. That is a fine goal, but it does not address an underlying problem: To elect better Democrats, we need to win over more voters to our point of view, and more importantly get them to vote.
For too long, the Republicans have co-opted the language of patriotism, and made it synonymous with the language of conservative politics. For too long, Republicans have smeared the lines so much that they make it sound as if freedom for business to exploit workers is really freedom for individuals. For too long, Republicans have turned "taxes" into a dirty word.
If we want to elect more and better Democrats, we need to start fighting back.
More below the fold.
I have been reading diaries regularly here for the past two years, and so much energy is focused on calling out Democratic elected officials who do or don't vote the way we want them to vote. There is a place for that, but pressuring lawmakers does very little if we can't change the debate.
One of the big places the debate needs to be changed is in discussing tax policy. Taxes are the price we pay for civilization, yet you would never know that to listen to our elected officials. On the right, they argue that we should cut everyone's taxes: individual taxes, business taxes, estate taxes are all equally bad, and equally in need of getting reduced. On the Democratic side of the aisle, the argument is that taxes need to be cut all right, but only for the poorest 95% of us.
The problem with that argument is it is coming from the Republican frame that Taxes Are Bad, it's just playing around the edges with who exactly they are bad for.
It's time to take back the debate and argue from a more balanced framework. I'm proud to pay my taxes. I didn't want the Bush tax cut. I would not mind giving it back if it meant we could continue to afford the many programs I support, and maybe a few new ones besides.
I'm proud to pay my taxes, and I'm not afraid to say it. How about you? If you're at a party and people start complaining about taxes, do you say (with a smile) that paying taxes beats putting out your own house fire? Do you mention that it sure beats trying to dig out your streets by hand every time it snows? Do you remind them (with that same smile) how much you enjoy walking your dog in the park? How the Grand Canyon is sort of a nice place, and you're glad that your drinking water isn't floating with sewage?
Have you seen many letters to the editor praising all the good work our tax dollars do?
Have you gotten many viral e-mails extolling the virtues of contributing to the common good?
I'm not going to be quiet any more. I think that most people don't really hate the idea of government, or wouldn't if they considered the alternative.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that the decision on who gets to eat tonight should lie in the caring hands of society, and not the invisible hand of the free market.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that those who want to work but can’t because of physical or mental illness or injury all deserve a dry roof over their heads, warm coats on their backs, and fuel in their furnaces.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that those who have given to society their whole lives deserve some comfort and security when they are in their golden years.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that police and fire services cost me far less through the government than they would through private contractors.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that all of our children deserve a basic education, regardless of income.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that not all medical research should be funded based on which medications are likely to make the highest profits for investors.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that government enforcement of health and safety regulations means that capitalism does not reward only those who are willing to cut the most corners.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that lakes and mountains, forests and beaches should be accessible to all of us, and not just those who can afford to buy acres of land.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe in peace, but also realize that it costs money to defend our borders and our allies.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because our returning soldiers deserve all the care that they need.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that industry should not be able to pollute our drinking water in the name of profit.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I believe that people should not be denied health care just because they lack the money to buy it.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because someone has to build the roads and bridges that get me where I need to go.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because I love my country and believe it’s worth investing in.
I’m proud to pay my taxes, because freedom isn’t free.
I’m proud to pay my taxes. Pass it on.