MSNBC Hot take: GOP tax plan is just like rape!

I could get into the policy weeds. I could tell you how the GOP tax plan won't raise taxes on lower income folks. I could tell you how the rich will still be paying way more than their fair share, while people at the bottom end of the income ladder will still pay nothing. I could re-litigate the arguments about high taxes in deep blue states like New York and California, talk about how eliminating the ACA mandate is the right thing to do, and I could reiterate my belief that neither the House nor Senate tax bills go far enough.

I'm not going to. If you want to read all of that, you can. Dan dissected all of it here, here, and here. My misgivings have always been more about what tax reform isn't than what it is. I want the GOP to think bigger, and do away with the progressive tax scheme altogether. ...But I'll support their efforts, because "baby steps," I suppose. The one thing the Senate GOP tax plan is not, is "a rape." I don't really think I should have to say that but, thanks to MSNBC, I do. According to the following interview between Joy-Ann Reid (who doesn't care much for gay people) and Bruce Bartlett, Republicans are committing rape by letting people keep a bit more of their paycheck each month.

MSNBC Guest Says Republican Tax Bill Is 'Akin to Rape'

First, I want to thank the Washington Free Beacon for the video. I like to watch MSNBC for the sheer craziness of it all, but there are limits. A tedious sit-down between race baiter Joy-Ann Reid and professional angry-face Bruce Bartlett exists well outside those limits. Second, I'd love it if either of these people could explain to me how a globally competitive corporate tax rate and a few extra bucks in the pockets of workers equates to "rape." I'm guessing I won't get any sort of clarification, because it simply doesn't. Taxation itself? OK, fine. I wouldn't necessarily make it, but I could understand the rape analogy. Less taxation? Not so much. ...And while we're on the subject; I should point out that the House and Senate bills still need to be reconciled. Neither Joy-Ann Reid nor Bruce Bartlett have any idea what will make the final cut. So, to declare it rape is not only colossally stupid - and insensitive to actual rape victims - it's also premature.

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