Last year’s economic stimulus package cut federal taxes by $232 billion. Most Americans are paying lower taxes this year than last but you wouldn’t know it by the flurry of Tax Day Tea Party protests made up of activists protesting paying taxes. New Mexico Alliance members held counter-tea party protests on Thursday. They argued that, “Real patriots pay their fair share of taxes,” and members said they are happy to pay into Social Security, Medicare, public schools and public works. New Mexico’s Terry Schleder said, “Our seniors turned out because they have historical perspective on the importance of government programs.”
Last week the New York Times and the Gallup organization jointly released a poll of self-identified Tea Party supporters. While 92 percent of respondents believe the country is drifting toward socialism, nearly half also said either they or someone in their household benefits from either Social Security or Medicare.
On government programs and retirement, political commentator Glenn Beck said this week that privatized Social Security accounts would be, “a better bet than the federal government.” He also called for a sharp increase in the retirement age. Alliance Executive Director Ed Coyle said that these sentiments are troubling in advance of the first meeting, on April 27, of the new federal commission on deficit reduction. He said, “Too many people are urging this panel to cut Social Security and Medicare. Seniors need to make their voices heard to preserve these great American success stories for future generations."
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