July 11th, 2009:

via Leaders in House Seek to Tax Rich for Health Plan – NYTimes.com.

WASHINGTON — House Democrats will ask the wealthiest Americans to help pay for overhauling the health care system with a $550 billion income tax increase, the chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee said Friday.

The proposal calls for a surtax on individuals earning at least $280,000 in adjusted gross income and couples earning more than $350,000, said the chairman, Representative Charles B. Rangel of New York.

Yea. That’s right. I strongly believe that there exists a disparity of wealth. I believe that something can be done about this disparity other than take away ALL of the wealth from the wealthy to level the playing field, as would be done in a communistic society. Something can be done, something positive.

The wealthy can cover most of the cost of health care for the poverty stricken and working poor.

Unfair? If you think it is, then you are probably a wealthy person making over $280,000 per year. It will be difficult for the rich to gain sympathy from the general public. If you think this tax is unfair and you do not make over $280,000 per year, then you are a B.S. believer. If you are a member of the working poor and cannot afford health insurance and you believe taxing the rich is unfair, then you are a fool.

It would generate about $550 billion over 10 years to pay about half the cost of the legislation, Mr. Rangel said. As the proposal envisions it, the rest of the cost would be covered by lower spending on Medicare, the government health plan for the elderly, and other health care savings.

Here is some of the B.S. that the right-wing wants the working poor to believe:

(Myth) Republicans, who have pummeled the Democrats over the $787 billion economic stimulus, pounced at word of the proposed tax increase, which they said would primarily hurt small-business owners.

Truth: The tax applies to personal income, not the income of the business. According to the IRS in 2007, 95% of those who filed as sole proprietors had receipts less than $100,000.

(Myth) “In the middle of a serious recession, with unemployment nearing double digits, the last thing we need is a tax increase on small businesses, which will cost the American economy even more jobs,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for the House Republican leader, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio.

Truth: There is no tax increase on small business. The tax is on personal income over $280,000 per year. If a sole proprietor has a personal income over $280,000 per year his business bottom line is solid, to say the least.  He can retain or even hire employees based on the business’ net income. The point is there is a definiate separation between business and personal income.

Tax the wealthy to pay for health care for the poor? You betcha!