Don't extend tax cuts in wartime

While I understand the passion of those who argue for an extension of the Bush tax cuts, I don't understand the logic behind their argument for extending tax cuts for the wealthiest when the country is at war in Afghanistan and is occupying Iraq.

It should be remembered that the cuts for the wealthiest were passed before we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. So as long as we are at war and occupying other countries and have a national debt of $13.5 trillion, it would be fiscal insanity to extend the tax cuts for the wealthiest. Some would make the argument that none of the tax cuts should be extended as long as we are borrowing money to pay for the war in Afghanistan and the occupation of Iraq.

The proponents for extending the tax cuts for the wealthiest say that by not extending the tax cuts for the wealthiest the economy and job creation are negatively effected. Huh, for well over a year, the media critics of the president have complained about the poor performance of the economy and the job creation numbers, so I doubt that increasing the tax rate on the wealthiest will negatively impact the economy. If anything it will increase revenues and, who knows, we might even be able to reduce the national debt.

It should also be remembered that if the tax cuts for the wealthiest are not extended, the rates will only rise to the levels that were in place during the 1990s when we had an economic boom. It is not class warfare, it is just common sense to not cut taxes when the country is at war and we have a $13.5 trillion national debt.

Victor Darst

West Dundee