Fox Guest Advocates “The Average Guy Out There” Stop Paying Taxes
Reported by Guest Blogger - January 3, 2010 -
Guest blogged by Brian
On yesterday’s (1/2/10) Cavuto on Business, the panel focused on a poll saying government workers were more optimistic about the economy than private sector workers. Instead of exploring the reasons for the discrepancy, most on the panel assumed it was because government workers were living high on the hog at taxpayer expense and then used that assumption to smear the government. Fox News’ latest shrieker, Patricia Powell, was so worked up, she urged “the average guy out there” to stop paying taxes. With video.
Powell screeched, "These government workers, of course they're thrilled. The good times are rolling. The Treasury doors have been opened up to the barbarian hordes here. …One hundred thousand plus incomes in the government workers, that group has grown by 50% in the last two years… If you look at the rate of growth of government pay, it has been growing at twice the rate of the overall economy… They're having a wonderful time on your dime."
Substitute host Charles Payne said, "One of the big mantras coming into the year was shared sacrifice. We're all in this together. What the heck is going on with this thing? I mean, this government is getting so big, like we're building up for a war. But a war against who?"
Adam Lashinsky was the only person to stick up for government workers. "Our premise here is a cheap shot against government workers… The government does good things."
Payne argued, "The government's getting larger while the people who actually pay their salaries are suffering."
“They're not getting rich,” Lashinsky said. “…It's a fact that the money's flowing into the government sector right now because we've been spending that money purposefully to try to stimulate the economy… I wouldn't pick on government workers for being optimistic because their jobs are secure when they’re doing good jobs, and important jobs."
Panelist Gary Kaltbaum said, "This government, there is absolutely no accountability. They are unchecked. They are spending money that’s not theirs. They are basically castrating the taxpayer… The last I looked, it is the private economy creates jobs for the long term, not the government."
Lashinsky said, "Last I checked government workers go to restaurants, they buy clothing, they take vacations… Patricia, I just want to ask you, whose pension would you take away?"
Powell yelped, "I would advocate that we all take care of ourselves. That the average guy out there who's watching this show today and has trouble putting $2,000 into an IRA, stop paying into somebody else’s pension plan but starts taking care of his own family. I would advocate that people who don't have the ability to buy their own health care, instead of paying taxes for people who are getting their health care for free, that those people would have that money if we didn’t pick their pockets."
Nobody seemed to mind that she was advocating breaking the law by not paying taxes!
Instead, Kaltbaum said admiringly, "You are on fire."
Patricia could be the next Fox News star, I’m afraid.
