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NY Dem: GOP Hates Middle Class, Loves Rich Bitches
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2010
Modified Dec 2, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2010
Modified Dec 2, 2010
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Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens) unloaded on the GOP this morning, as he argued that the Republicans are trying to preserve Bush tax cuts for the super rich. And the super rich includes that rich canine, Trouble Helmsley, the heiress dog who received millions from late hotelier Leona Helmsley.
The Democrats are trying to pass a tax bill that preserves tax cuts for singles making under $200,000 and couples making under $250,000. The Republicans call cutting taxes for the middle class only "chicken crap" and say that taxes can't be raised during a recession (keep in mind, taxes would be raised for people making more than $200,000/250,000). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the GOP stance is "grossly unfair," pointing out that if the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, that means $700 billion in tax revenue. And Crowley drove that point home this morning, by bringing up Trouble.
He said, "Under the Republican plan, if Trouble doesn’t get a tax break, nobody else should...No tax cuts for hard working families... They’ll protect this little dog but they won’t protect the middle class of this country... It's clear to me that under Republican rule, tax policy will go to the dogs."
According to the Rachel Maddow Show, between 2002 (when the Bush tax cuts started) and 2007, the wealthiest 10% of the country saw their income grow about 10% a year, but the median income remained flat.
But don't call Trouble the $12 million dog—though the taxes-hating Leona Helmsley left $12 million for her, Trouble only ended up getting $2 million.
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Leona Helmsley
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Trouble Helmsley
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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