Here are the results to this week’s poll. The people picked to participate had two questions this week:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says that “we’re going to have comprehensive immigration reform now.” How likely is Congress to enact it this year?
Are you open to supporting some version of a value-added tax?
The graphic results are below.
I answered “no,” to immigration reform being likely now. In a rare moment, I didn’t go into detail about it. But suffice it to say that it would be ridiculous in the the year of the rabid right Tea Party rise that also coincides with an election year to take on a subject as contentious as immigration.
On the VAT tax, I said:
“Emphatically, no. What I would support is a financial transactions tax, which Dean Baker has written about. This tax, unlike the VAT, which would hit blue-collar America, would target Wall Street and the people who caused the disaster we’re still climbing out of today. A Wall Street fee seems fair and justified. No one’s doubting we have a deficit issue, but let’s target the people responsible for the recent financial calamity, not working stiffs.”
I’m interested to get your thoughts on both.
I agree completely on immigration even though it is past time for a sane policy.It is my understanding that Obama is under pressure from the hispanic caucus to move forward.I know it is an important voting block for him. With the nativists on fire at the moment it seems impossible.
As for the VAT I guess we would need to study how some of the European countries do it. If you leave basics out of it like groceries,school supplies,and childen’s clothing it might be doable.I think Dean Bakers’s idea is a must. It is ridiculous we don’t have a curb on that stuff now.
Politically, I just think it’s stupid.
Everyone should read Dean Baker.