The Arrogance Of Ron Tusler

Just as they did in 2017, the Republicans pulled off another big tax scam with the OBBB.  For example, this false "No Tax On Tips" gimmick makes a lot of promises it doesn't keep, or can't even keep.

As the federal NTOT gimmick is broken down, it's not much of a much:

Of the more than 2 million food servers across the country, half earn less than $37,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Those workers can largely claim the standard deduction, reducing their tax burden, Crandall-Hollick said. But they also likely can claim other forms of tax relief, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

More than a third of tipped workers didn’t make enough money to pay federal income taxes last year, Yale Budget Lab found, even before tax credits like the EITC or the CTC.

“You can’t go negative with taxable income. Exempting any more income from taxation is not going to help those individuals,” Crandall-Hollick said.

And even those very few who will see a modicum of benefit from it better not get too used to it, because it sunsets at the end of President Pedo's term in 2028.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin Republicans think that people are stupid enough to fall for the same tax scam twice.

Spearheaded by State Rep Ron Tusler, a guy who's never had a critical thought, he really insulted the intelligence of every working man and woman in the state with this load of crap:

Tips "never should have been taxed" in the first place, state Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, said during the Aug. 21 hearing.

"The folks that receive tips are not wealthy people, they're not usually middle-class people. Usually, they’re working-class people that are trying to get themselves to that middle-class level, to get themselves their American dream," Tusler said. "As representatives, these are great folks for us to target, and as Christians, we should always be trying to help the poor."

If Tusler really wanted to help the poor, how about doing away with subminimum wages and raise the actual minimum wage.  The last time the minimum wage was raised, Tusler probably still had hair.  But doing a gimmick that won't help the majority of hospitality workers isn't going to help them or the state financial situation.  In fact, it will do more harm than good.

And then Tusler's good pal, State Senator and COVID poster child, Andre Jacque, wanted to demonstrate his lack of critical thought with this:

"This is something to help retain those workers that we already have in that sector of the economy, to recruit others … but fundamentally, tips are supposed to be something that are freely given … something in exchange for excellent service," said Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere.

Restaurants are already starting to close due to the failing economy caused by Tariff Man.  They can't afford to pay the taxes Trump has put on food and other commodities.  Not that it matters much because they aren't getting as many customers as Trump also made sure that people are going to have to choose between food, housing and medication.

As I said earlier, the Republicans think we are stupid.  We can prove them wrong next year by voting them out.