Republicans’ push for tax cuts for the wealthy presents an opportunity to seize an issue dominated by Republicans for years. The mantra: Democrats are the “tax and spend party” and Republicans are the “cut taxes and rein in spending” party needs to be destroyed.
Two main points:
I. Propose working/middle class cuts: Democrats should not just oppose the cuts for the wealthy Republicans want to ram through. They should propose alternative tax cuts directed toward the working and middle class.
Even if it doesn’t pass, it changes the conversation to “Democrats want to cut taxes for you. Republicans want to cut taxes for the wealthy.”
This is the overwhelmingly popular position. A Gallup Poll in April 2017 found: Most Americans think corporations, wealthy pay too little taxes.
2. Do not use the Deficit to oppose tax cuts: Democrats must stop using the deficit as an argument for anything. Deficit hawkery plays right into the hands of the Republicans. If you use it to oppose tax cuts, you are buying into using it to cut spending.
The deficit is a tool for rationalizing the “starve the beast” mentality of Republicans. It is a low priority for voters. In Dec. 2016, it ranked fourth with only 10% on a list or priorities, with unemployment as the No. 1 priority.
Democratic leadership doesn’t realize this yet. Their opposition to the tax cuts is predicated on no cuts for the one percent and no addition to the deficit.
Just stop.
Democrats are terrible at branding and highlighting their accomplishments. W Bush sent out checks to all taxpayers, even though the cuts were tilted to the wealthy. People knew they had tax cuts. The Obama administration did not do this, so people only knew they had a cut when they received refunds. Polls showed only ten percent knew their taxes had decreased by at least $400 on average. Many thought Obama increased their taxes.
Republicans are handing Democrats two critical issues going into 2018 (other than of course, Republicans supporting an unstable, grotesquely unqualified President):
1. Health Care: Democrats want you to have it. Republicans want to take it away.
2. Tax cuts: Democrats want them for you. Republicans want it for the wealthy.
What could be simpler.