It was fine then, but is unacceptable now...

It was fine then.. 

but is unacceptable now...

Is this another example of Republicans doing an about face on policy matters? (Individual mandate, anyone?) Any attempt to directly compare these two clips on a one for one basis is likely a flawed one, but it does speak to a general attitude. It shouldn't be dismissed as irrelevant. Fact is, President Ron Reagan did raise taxes and is still widely lauded as one of our finest Presidents. Even the man's detractors don't usually focus on his "over taxing" as a main complaint. (Under taxing, yes...)


Twenty years later, things are very different in our Country. Unemployment is higher, our manufacturing sector is shell of its former self and many, many of the jobs lost over the last few decades aren't ever coming back. To suggest that because a president did something two decades ago that's its the exact right thing to do now is wrong minded. It might be, it might not be. 


On the other hand, those who feel President Obama is out to destroy our Country by increasing some high earner's income tax, as well as closing some corporate tax loopholes, which are akin to tax increases for business in some circles, are over the top. When President Reagan rolled out his two proposals, The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (wow, that almost sounds socialist, doesn't it?) and then the Highway Revenue Act of 1982, many protested. Were they successful? I'll leave that up to you as my point is that the world kept spinning, Old Glory still looked awesome flying above and for the most part, America didn't lose a single shred of any of its essence. 


We should be able to find something slightly more subtle than THE IMPENDING DESTRUCTION OF OUR LAND when making the case that a tax hike is or isn't the right way to go.

Let's cool it...



Sources: 


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-22/democrats-recall-reagan-s-tax-increases.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Equity_and_Fiscal_Responsibility_Act_of_1982

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Revenue_Act_of_1982