Where's the outrage on tax cut plan?

Call it extortion. Pay off for protection. It's what the Republican leadership wants. The pay off, extending Bush tax benefits for the top 1 percent of our wealthiest, in exchange for the protection, extending survival benefits to the unemployed.

The “compromise” will cost $900 billion, of that, the top 1 percent of our millionaires and billionaires will enjoy a 13-percent cut off the top, before allowing the jobless to be fed, housed, and clothed.

The Bush administration originally justified tax cuts for the richest, saying the cuts would prevent joblessness and homelessness. They didn't. Why extend a failed policy expecting the outcome to be any different? That's addictive behavior.

Let's learn from experience. Didn't Jesus say that from those who have more, more is expected? Where are the values of Christian sharing and charity? The Republicans demand welfare for the most wealthy before allowing essential care for the most needy.

Where's simple justice? What happened to America that it lost its sense of neighborliness and good will and provision for the common good? Where's the outrage?

Marion J. Reis

Wheaton