This nation demands that even the poorest of people pay taxes. Those same “poorest” of people then deserve health care.
–the Rev. Susan Smith, UCC pastor and Washington Post “On Faith” columnist, who apparently doesn’t know that 1) virtually no one classified as “poor” in America pays income taxes, and 2) the “poorest” of Americans receive health care paid for by Medicaid; thereby demonstrating anew why some clergy should avoid making public policy pronouncements until they know what they are talking about
February 25, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I would bet if asked how much of the budge it defense-related, she would immediately reply “Over half!” That hasn’t been true since JFK was in office, but is still an article of faith with some.
February 25, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Under her logic, because the rich pay far and away the most taxes, they should be guaranteed far and away better healthcare than everyone else. “Justice” only works when it’s actually thought through.
February 25, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I doubt seriously that Rev. Smith is a big fan of logic. It gets in the way of her political agenda.
February 25, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I would note that Rev. Smith did not specify what tax the poorest of the poor pay. Unless you live in a state that has no sales tax, avoid all items that carry ‘sin’ taxes, and also not drive a car, it is nearly impossible not to pay taxes of some sort.
< Ron Troup
February 25, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Wonder if she knows anything about the “Earned Income Credit”?
February 26, 2010 at 9:25 am
I see Rev Smith’s church is in Columbus, OH. Sure could have fooled me – her “interesting” perspectives would fit in so well here (Washington, DC metro area).
February 26, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I don’t think the Rev is unaware of what we now do for the poor. She simply does not think we do enough. She was commenting on the basic ideology underlying the resistance to the expansion of publicly supported health care to those who are uninsured. This ideology does indeed insist that we tolerate the fact (despite medicare) that the poorer amongst us do not have adequate access to health care, and, left unchecked, it would insist on doing less than what we now do.
Over all, her article was intelligent, articulate, and to the point.
February 26, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Again “the Poor” receive free healthcare already.
The ones who need “help” in that sense are the lower middle class folks like me. We make too much for medicaid and other state programs but do not make enough to prevent medical bills from bankrupting us.
February 26, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Many poor people do not pay federal income taxes, and in fact receive refundable earned income credits from the federal government. However, many poor do pay state and local income taxes. And all the working poor pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, the most regressive of all taxes.
February 26, 2010 at 6:05 pm
You may not want to be lumped in with “the poor”, and you shouldn’t be, but your situation is basically what she is concerned about. You pay your taxes, you are a fully participating member of society, but if you get in an bad accident or contract a serious illness (which can happen to anyone, anytime) you are toast, at least financially.
From her essay it seems like she understands this situation and wants to help.
February 26, 2010 at 6:08 pm
(My response was to Benjamin)
February 28, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I also don’t believe someone who happens to have more money than I should be penalized just for having more money.
Why should they be forced in an unbiblical way to hand over their hard earned money to me?
March 6, 2010 at 10:48 pm
RE: Why should they be forced in an unbiblical way to hand over their hard earned money to me?
Taxation does not force someone to contribute to any particular person – that is, hand “their” money over to you – it establishes a public trust for the good of the community.
If you don’t think you deserve public assistance, or just don’t want it whether you deserve it or not, I’d say you are well within your rights to refuse. I don’t think you have the right to speak for those in need who do deserve it and will make good use of it, however.
As far as whether or not contemporary taxation adheres to the standards of a particular tribe of bronze-age nomads, well, I guess I just don’t give a hoot if it does or doesn’t. Sorry.