OPINION: Word Games On Taxes

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

Word games continue in Washington. But those who insist that Uncle Sam needs more revenue are ducking, dodging and weaving to avoid calling it a tax hike.

There’s no limit on the misleading terms they create trying to disguise what they want. “Revenue enhancements” is one. “Closing loopholes” is another. And when we get to keep our own money, or get to deduct mortgage interest or charitable contributions, they say those are “tax expenditures” as though keeping your own money were a government giveaway.

And the identical write-offs that other businesses receive are suddenly labeled loopholes for oil and gas companies, but not for anyone else.

As political leaders keep feuding over the federal budget, there’s one simple truth they should all admit: The problem is not that government doesn’t have enough money; the problem is that it spends too much.

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