POLITICS: No sign of real life

I'm pretty tired of watching John Boehner and other Republicans whine about how we must not raise taxes on well-to-do citizens because it will negatively affect job creation. The Republican Party is now coming out-of-the-closet with the premise that rich people are its special class of Americans, that they must receive special privilege and protection, even at our expense.

At the same time, Republicans support proposals to reduce protective programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. These are, of course, programs that provide some financial support to (financially) middle-class and lower-class Americans as they become older and as their earning power is reduced or eliminated. Millions of Americans rely on these two programs to defray everyday expenses, especially medical care.

So, here's an example of what Republicans don't care about: if Medicare is slashed so that payments to physicians and other caregivers are less, either the patient or secondary insurance must make up the difference! If it's the patient, that's money right out of your pocket. If it's secondary insurance, guess whose premiums will be bumped up next year and who has to pay that extra amount, again, money right out of your pocket. Either way, the average American has to pay more of their already reduced income - that is REVERSE TAXATION!

Republican politicians evidently think it is fine that you and I should have less money, but not that their campaign contributors should be so touched. Democratic politicians don't seem be able to connect the dots. Our political system seems to be at its nadir.

JERRY R. BOGGS

Post Falls