The Republican convention brought to the fore debate on tax
policy. The Dole campaign has proposed a 15% across the board cut in
income taxes, while Clinton is countering with other proposals. The focus
of attention is on which policy is better.
No one should be drawn into this diversion. Promotion of this issue is
used to stop discussion of society's pressing problems and turn people's
attention to choosing who has the least evil tax policy.
Tax policy can only be examined in the context of the economy as a
whole--its direction, its problems, etc. To proclaim that tax cuts are the
issue, while ignoring that the economy is run to secure maximum profits
for the capitalists, is pure deception.
In addition, it is necessary to examine who controls the taxes. Tax
dollars are in the hands of the government which is organized to meet the
needs of the capitalists--not the needs of working people or society as a
whole. Tax policy reflects this. The lion's share of tax revenues
consistently goes to the finance capitalists (in payment on the debt) and
the military industrial complex. Another $150 billion goes to hand-outs to
the monopolies. With the current anti-social offensive of the capitalists,
payment of the debt is enshrined as a sacred government duty while
investments in health, education and social services are "expenses" to be
cut.
It is necessary for the people to set their own agenda, and not be
drawn into this diversion on tax cutting policy. For the people, sorting
out the issue of taxes has to start from the perspective of what serves
society. It is necessary to look at tax policy in relation to the
direction of the economy as a whole. For example, the issue of whether
taxes are used to take money out of the economy--as occurs now with
payment on the debt and military spending--or to put money back into the
economy (as occurs with social investments) needs to be examined. It is
also important to consider sources other than taxes for government revenue.
These issues are the heart of the matter on taxes, and precisely the
ones hidden by the diversion duet of Dole and Clinton. Addressing these
issues would raise the level of discussion and focus attention on the
problems that exist and how to solve them. It would also provide the
analysis needed to decide what actions to take today--not only to defend
the interests of the people but to advance those interests.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
