Over at the NYTimes, Timothy Egan writes:
[M]ost American pay less taxes now than anytime in the last 50 years, according to a number of measurements. And a majority of the public now seems willing to pay a little extra (or force somebody else to pay a little extra) to keep a good thing going. Both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush raised taxes, by the way.
Egan is analyzing response to the Republican-proposed bifurcation of Medicare: born before 1957 (like me) and you’re exempt from any changes. Born after (like my S.O.) and you’re S.O.L. (as my mother used to say).
Egan argues for raising taxes as one way to “save” Medicare. But there are others, such as having our government negotiate for reduced drug costs (like, you know, Canada), although such a step is unlikely to be offered by a Republican-led House of Representatives.
And then there is the Byzantine labyrinth that is U.S. law. Doubt me? Check out The State Legislators Guide to Prescription Drug Policy (pdf).
Then take a moment to read Egan: The Need for Greed.
Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles. @kegill (Twitter and Mastodon.social); wiredpen.com