Tax cuts are good, but we need to consider the cost

A few days ago, I received a campaign mailer from my local Republican state representative. Well, technically I didn’t receive it, it was addressed to my fiancée’s previous name, Bo, which no longer legally exists – and even when it did, it belonged to a registered Democrat. So that made me a little angry, to begin with, not to mention that the candidate is an absolute doppelganger of my late and dearest Grandpa, a proud member of the IBEW union.

The candidate in question has a 0% legislative score from the Maine AFL-CIO, which, while not unusual for conservatives, still bothers me. But what I really found ridiculous was the correspondence’s headline, which proudly proclaimed: “A New Direction!” (Exclamation point and all!) And right below: “Reduce state income tax.” I rolled my eyes so hard I got a headache.

A Republican wanting to cut taxes? It’s not exactly an innovative material. They have been focused on this for at least 40 years. It is the party’s answer to virtually every social ill or problem they encounter. Is the economy good? Cut taxes! Is the economy bad? Cut more taxes! Tax cuts are good for what ails you.

I receive my salary fortnightly, every two weeks. On my last paycheck, I had a total of $329.83 taken out in taxes. Of this amount, US$110.38 goes to Social Security/OASDI. This is federal, so our state representatives can’t do much about it. Furthermore, what am I going to do, ask the government to cut what, in many cases, is the only financial support that the elderly have? A total of $25.82 goes to Medicare. Again, this is a federal number. Furthermore, 66 million Americans, mostly people over 65 or with disabilities, are insured through Medicare, without which they would be ripped apart financially by the for-profit health insurance market.

So $130.63 is federal withholdings. Again, there is not much our local representatives can do about this. And finally, $63 is taken out for Maine state tax. Now, this is certainly within the power of our Legislature to cut. And certainly, an extra $63 every two weeks on my paycheck would be nice. But what would be sacrificed so I could keep an extra $63? State funding for my local school system? Medicaid coverage and reimbursement? The state police? (OK, that budget I’d be okay with cutting.)

I also pay $81.46 of that paycheck for my health insurance. As far as plans go, it’s not too bad; I’m sure many people have a worse prize. But if my job goes away, even through no fault of my own, the health insurance goes away at the end of the month too. And that’s what bothers me. The government could cut all my income taxes and give me back $164.91 a week, and none of it would matter if I lost my job, lost my health insurance, and then had a medical emergency. The reality is that $164 isn’t going to do much for a $100,000 hospital bill. I’d rather we all pool our funds to create a stronger social safety net for all citizens, rather than cutting taxes for people who already have more than enough money.

If you are someone who has enough money to never have to worry about paying for the essentials to live (housing, health care) or someone who truly believes that working hard will ensure your success in life, I think cutting taxes would seem desirable. But like most millennials, I’ve never experienced incredibly precarious employment. I was fired from a job as part of a company-wide 20% cut because profit margins were in danger, and I was fired for needing to take too many bathroom breaks after having a kidney removed.

Do you know what came to your rescue in those few months between jobs? MaineCare. I qualified for MaineCare and knew that if something horrible happened, I wouldn’t be alone and completely uninsured. I want this for everyone. Taking that off isn’t worth $63.

Some people I talk to seem to take taxes personally. Like they’re offended by the concept or something – you know, people who feel like the government is stealing their money. I really don’t understand. Sure, it’s annoying. Of course, I wish I had more money. But we are trying to have a society here. We all have to contribute. Plus, at least when it comes to government I can vote on who represents me and how those funds are being spent. I can’t say the same for the checks I send to pay my mortgage, my electric bill, or any of my other demands and debts.