Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler announced that she would be voting for the House tax bill because it was a good deal for Southwest Washington, simply because the standard deduction will increase and “give people more money in their wallets.” This simplistic thinking attempts to fool the middle class into thinking we are getting a good deal.
In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that roughly half of families making under $100,000 will see their taxes rise or stay the same.
In reality, the middle class will be supporting huge tax breaks for the wealthy under the guise that the benefits will trickle down. This has been proven not to work. For instance, medical deductions, which many seniors depend on, will be cut, and teachers will not be able to deduct what they spend out of pocket for classroom supplies. And yet the 0.02 percent of Americans paying estate taxes will get a tax break of $250 billion.
So do not believe Rep. Herrera Beutler when she says this is a good deal. It most certainly is not. I look forward to 2018 when we can elect someone who really is on the side of the middle class.
