The Weekend Onionism: Raise Taxes on the Poor to Cut Taxes for the Rich

Most people (Republican Congressmen notwithstanding) are familiar with "The Onion", a satirical website that creates almost believable fictional news articles as a means of ridiculing the actual nonsense in the real world of politics. But lately the Right Wing disconnect with reality has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between the satirical fiction of The Onion and the not-funny fiction of "news" sources like Fox, Drudge, DailyCaller, WorldNetDaily and many of the other more popular site among the Right Wing. For decades the Right has pushed the fiction that giving more and more of America's wealth to the richest Americans will somehow provide a benefit to those of us who aren't the richest Americans. Despite the utter failure of this idea under Ronald Reagan, and the even deeper failure under George W. Bush, this nonsense remains a key plank in the Republican platform.

This is not the Onion. But it's almost impossible to tell any more.

Article excerpt follows:

The Weekend Onionism: Raise Taxes on the Poor to Cut Taxes for the Rich
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 by Ken

Last Monday in the comments to my post on Michelle Bachmann, it was suggested that liberals need to make a name up for the numerous times when Republicans make up outrageous solutions in response to some crisis which really does not exist. I suggested the term "Onionism" which was well received.

So I've decided to post at least once every weekend with a Republican Onionism. Let me take the liberty of expanding the definition of the term to mean any action taken by Republicans which could actually be written by an Onion writer and taken for parody by Onion readers. For example: New Hampshire Republicans proposing that any future legislation must cite language in the Magna Carta to justify said law could clearly be a hilarious write up for an Onion writer and is therefore qualified to be an Onionism. Any objections to said expanded definition may be registered in comments and will be duly noted.

This weekends Republican Onionism is courtesy the Republican party of Kansas. They are working to overhaul the states tax code, and anytime Republicans gather together in the name of overhaul, an Onionism is sure to follow. As always reforming the tax code means lowering taxes on the wealthy for Republicans. Of itself this is standard Republican dogma so there is no Onionism yet. The Onionism is the method by which they intend to pay for the wealthy tax cuts, which is by raising the tax burden of the states poorest citizens.

Republicans usually work against the interests of the poor by cutting programs and benefits. But Kansas Republicans have taken this to a whole ‘nutha level, by actually proposing to increase the tax burden on the states lowest income earners. Because who better to burden with extra income taxes than those who can least afford it, in order to give a break to those who need it least, from the conservative point of view.

To be fair, Kansas House Republicans have toned down the proposal sent by the governor who, naturally, is a Republican. Governor Sam Brownback wanted to up taxes on the poorest Kansans by $156.00 per year to pay for a tax cut for Kansas fat cats of $5200.00 per year. Republicans in the state house took mercy on the states poorest taxpayers, only increasing their annual tax burden by $72.00, in order to cut the bill for the wealthy by $1500.00.

Some writer at the Onion should gussy up this story a little because it would be a freaking hilarious write-up. Sadly however, this is real life and this hurts real people and is emblematic of the completely backwards way of looking at things by the modern day Republican.