John Boehner Spouts Unsubstantiated Rhetoric

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What is the deal with John Boehner's ever-present dour expression?  His countenance always conveys doom and gloom, so it's no wonder that he never has any positive news to report.  More disturbing, however, Boehner's updates about the talks to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff"--a term  Ham on Wry despises because it reduces some complex to a simple catch phrase--mimic his announcements in the last session of Congress prior to the elections.



Ham on Wry could have accurately predicted this stalemate before the negotiations began.  Boehner and many of his fellow Republicans claim that raising taxes on the wealthy will cause another economic downturn and stymie job growth.  This blogger has spent hours poring over statistics from past administrations where the highest tax rate far exceeded the current cap on taxes.  None of those studies support Boehner's claim that raising taxes on the wealthy would "deal a crippling blow to the economy."  Instead, the stastics showed that the economy still grew, and most Americans experienced job security and enough money to keep their families afloat.  It seems that Boehner has far more interest in the top earners in the country than he does the middle class and those who fall below the poverty line.  Could part of his motivation be self-serving?

Until Boehner provides data accumulated by objective sources--no thinly-veiled groups run by the Koch Brothers or Grover Norquist--citizens should pay little attention to his moaning and groaning and demand movement toward a compromise that doesn't involve preserving low tax rates for the rich.  Those people already have various means of investment vehicles that shield money from taxes and don't need the help of those of us who don't have the same choices. 

Either prove your statements or stifle yourself, Mr. Boehner.  Hearing you speak about the negotiations reminds this blogger of watching Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.  Repetition doesn't make a statement true.