Monday, November 26, 2012

Michigan's Miraculous Babies

Another story pointed out by another one of our astute readers:
Children no longer are considered a deduction for tax purposes in Michigan, but some lawmakers think fetuses should be.

The state legislature currently is considering two bills that would create a tax credit for unborn fetuses that are 12 weeks or older. If the proposal becomes law, it would make Michigan the first state in the country to grant such status to the unborn.

Opponents of the measures claim the tax credit is just a sneaky way for abortion foes to establish a form of “personhood” for fetuses and eventually restrict women from getting abortions.

Republican Representative Jud Gilbert, one of the main sponsors of the fetus tax credit plan, said supporters merely want to help mothers with their taxes.

“You’re recognizing the fact that people have additional expenses, another person to take care of,” Gilbert told MLive. “Money saved there could be contributed to doctor's bills and all kinds of things.”

The proposal runs contrary to legislation adopted last year that eliminated a child tax credit deduction that affected 2.35 million children in Michigan.
In short, according to the Michigan Republicans, having a baby is expensive, but once the child is born, they are completely self-sufficient and/or cost free.

And to make this story complete, this is almost mandatory:

3 comments:

  1. So, pass the law. Then every Mi taxpayer can claim their tax deduction for all of their fetuses, up to 972 weeks old.

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  2. Hmmm. Letting the taxman into your vaginas?

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  3. I think we need to quit giving the right-wingers fodder for argument, by henceforth ignoring the "right to life" issue. The Republicans have had more than one opportunity to outlaw abortion since Roe v. Wade came to define the law of the land, yet have not done so. Ever wonder why? The real reason that ruling will not ever be seriously challenged is because it is very useful in its present form. If abortion were ever actually made illegal, presumably giving the Religious Right their fondest wish, what do you suppose would happen? Yep, they might start to look at their econimic situation. And they might not like what they see. The Republicans know this. Let's focus the argument directly where it belongs. It's the economy, stupid, just like it has always been.

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