The dishonesty of American governments never fails to amaze me. Today, I am focused on spending items which are temporary measures. Of course, the all time favorite in that regard has to be so called "rent control" laws in New York City. These laws were a "temporary" measure passed in response to the housing shortage in the city during (drum roll please) World War II. That's right, these "temporary" rules are still in effect for many buildings even after the passage of seventy years. As Longfellow might say, hardly a man is still alive who remembers that fateful time.
Another great "temporary" measure was the cut in the payroll tax during 2011 and 2012. When that 2% cut expired at the end of 2012, we got story after story about the heartless tax increase hitting America. The idea that the cut was a temporary measure was all but forgotten.
Then there is today's story. It comes from the "temporary" increase in food stamp benefits passed in 2009 to help people weather the recession that ended that year. Now it is four years later and the temporary increase has expired. How does the media portray the end of these temporary benefits? You guess it! They call the expiration a push by the heartless Republicans to cut help to the poor.
There is, apparently, no such thing as an actual temporary measure taken by the government. Once any sort of help is given, it can never end. Otherwise, the people who benefited from the temporary measures are portrayed as poor victims who are being harmed by the government.
Another great "temporary" measure was the cut in the payroll tax during 2011 and 2012. When that 2% cut expired at the end of 2012, we got story after story about the heartless tax increase hitting America. The idea that the cut was a temporary measure was all but forgotten.
Then there is today's story. It comes from the "temporary" increase in food stamp benefits passed in 2009 to help people weather the recession that ended that year. Now it is four years later and the temporary increase has expired. How does the media portray the end of these temporary benefits? You guess it! They call the expiration a push by the heartless Republicans to cut help to the poor.
There is, apparently, no such thing as an actual temporary measure taken by the government. Once any sort of help is given, it can never end. Otherwise, the people who benefited from the temporary measures are portrayed as poor victims who are being harmed by the government.
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