Commentary |Our tax code reward corporate price gouging. Next year, we can change that.

by Rakeen Mabud
OtherWords.org

Rakeen Mabud

Next year, we’ll have to make one of the most important decisions about the future of our economy. Will we hand more power and wealth to big corporations and the rich — or invest in a healthy and resilient economy that works for all of us?

In 2017, Republican lawmakers passed tax loopholes and cuts that primarily benefited the wealthy and big corporations. President Trump signed these giveaways into law, spiking inequality and setting off a wave of corporate profiteering.

Next year, parts of that law will begin to expire, which gives us the opportunity to make changes.

For decades, both parties have created an economy where big corporations and the wealthy aren’t pitching in like the rest of us. We’ve been sold a bill of goods known as “trickle down” economics. Trickle down goes like this: Feed the rich the best cut of meat and maybe we’ll get a bit of gristle that falls on the floor — and we’ll thank them for it.

The rich and most profitable corporations aren’t just contributing less and less to our collective coffers. They’re using their power to enrich themselves further while more of us struggle. Senator Elizabeth Warren recently described this as a “doom loop” for our tax code: the wealthy and corporations get richer from tax giveaways and then use their wealth and power to boost their profits — and then lobby for more tax cuts.

For example, the 2017 Trump tax cuts dropped the top corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent (compared to 40 percent in 1987). Supporters argued this would lead to better wages and supercharge economic growth. Instead, economic growth continued at about the same pace as before the tax breaks. And while 90 percent of workers did not see a raise, billionaire wealth has doubled.

In the same period in which corporations have enjoyed lower taxes, they’ve also raked in record profits. As my colleagues at Groundwork Collaborative have highlighted, lowering corporate tax rates actually incentivized corporate profiteering in the wake of the pandemic, as companies that overcharged us got to keep more of their winnings.

Trickle down theory says these windfall profits and lower taxes should encourage companies to invest more in workers and innovation. But in an economy run by big corporations with enormous market share, that money ends up being funneled to shareholders instead of increasing worker wages, investing in new or more productive technologies, or holding critical inventories in case of a crisis.

If we want corporations to invest more in wages and productive investments, we should raise their taxes, since wages and research are mostly tax deductible.

In other words, corporate profiteering is not a foregone conclusion. Raising corporate taxes has the potential to boost investment, productivity, and economic growth — and get Americans some of their money back.

The Biden administration has taken critical steps to push back against failed trickle down economics and corporate profiteering. It capped the price of essential drugs like insulin, empowered regulators to go after corporations abusing their market power, and made historic investments in a green future. But more can be done by raising taxes on the largest, most profitable corporations.

Fundamentally, the coming tax debate is about who holds the reins in shaping our economy: megacorporations and their wealthy shareholders, or the everyday people who keep the economy humming. Next year is an opportunity for Congress to stand firm against the rich and powerful and build the economy that we want to see.

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Commentary |The Speaker’s Slippery Balancing Act

Khalil Bendib / OtherWords.org

The House Leader isn't so much "leading" as "trying not to plummet."

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Guest Commentary |Congress must demonstrate what it takes to succeed

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Life is fragile and doesn’t last very long, so we should try to enjoy every day.

Be good to yourself and be good to other people. Treat people the way you would like to be treated. Speak to people in a manner that you would like for them to speak to you. Treat motorists on the highway the way you want others to treat you.

If you can help someone in some way, then don’t miss the opportunity of being blessed by doing an act of kindness.

Forgive yourself and forgive others. Extend grace and move forward with life. Some things are hard to overcome but carefully consider what you want to carry around the rest of your life. If someone broke in front of you at the cafeteria line then don’t hold that against them the rest of your life. It harms you more than it harms them. Some much of the baggage that we carry all our lives is not worth the burden and unrest that it causes. Let it go and move forward.

Try to do what you enjoy every day or at least some of the time. There are always dishes to wash, grass to mow and bills to pay. Life is filled with the daily chores and tasks of life. Try to fit into your schedule what brings you some pleasure. It may be the simplest of activities but that’s okay. A car drive, a walk around the block, fishing or sitting in church, whatever it is then find time for the simple pleasures of life.

Life is fragile. We are all one heartbeat away from death. We never know what’s lurking inside these bodies that could disable or kill us at any moment. Routine physical exams are vital to try to maintain our health but even then, they are not the silver bullet. Anything can happen at any time. Take value in this day that you have and soak in the sunshine or the rain, whatever is going on, find joy in another day of life.

Do not fall out with people over politics and issues. It’s important to be able to express our points of view and work to accomplish change. However, the only way we are going to bring about change and progress is by working together. A divided house cannot stand, nor can a divided nation The planet needs for America to be “United.”

United doesn’t necessarily mean in harmony. I heard a story about a little boy who tied the tails of two tomcats together and hung them on a clothesline. They were very united but they had no harmony. Obviously, this would be a bad thing to do but it’s sort of like our United States Congress. They are all united by political positions and have to show up in the same room but they argue, fight and scratch every day without bring about solutions. Each of us must demand from our local Congressional representation that they go to D.C. to work beyond party lines, embrace each other, and get things accomplished.

Those who serve us in D.C. must demonstrate to the American people what it takes to get things done instead ow what it takes to fail.

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He is the author of 13 books including Uncommon Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Guest Commentary | America is being invaded

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Recently, in a Mexican restaurant in Houston, Texas, a patron shot and killed a man who was robbing other patrons. The robber was masked and brandishing what appeared to be a pistol. If the man who shot the robber is charged with murder for protecting himself and others from a potentially lethal threat, then we have a serious problem. 

We have another problem. Millions of undocumented people have crossed our border from El Paso to San Diego and in between.  America is being invaded. We do not have enough free housing, welfare and food stamps to support all these people. 

Biden wants to mobilize 85,000 IRS agents who will find every dollar they can to support the millions of undocumented people roaming our nation. How many more dollars can the IRS squeeze out of your pocket? Do you have property that they can seize and sell for a few dollars?  85,000 agents will need to find something to do and most likely they will be checking up on everyone. 

Arizona has been patching holes in their border with containers which has been working. Biden ordered that the containers be removed. Over one million undocumented people have crossed into America through Arizona during Biden’s Presidency. 

Can you imagine being a farmer or just living on the Southern Border? This is 24-hour a day nightmare for these landowners. Do you think anyone wants to buy their property? These same people are coming to your community. They are looking for jobs and housing. They need money and food. Do you have plenty of affordable housing in your community? Do you have big free food banks to feed these people? If you need a reasonably priced apartment, I would suggest you snatch it fast because people are coming who need that apartment and they may have more help from the government than you do to underwrite the costs. 

McCarthy, Biden, and Congress must bring back every job we have outsourced to China. We can no longer do business with China. The people who have been living in America the last few years need jobs and millions of new undocumented workers need jobs. By the way, do you remember when the United States Census was a once every ten-year job?  Now, Census workers have to work year-round chasing down people who will not complete U.S. Government Census information. How many full-time census workers will it take to chase down all of these undocumented people? 

If Biden, McCarthy, and Congress do not protect Social Security your town will probably have to close up. Over 70 million Americans count on Social Security income. Social Security is all or over half of all this number receives each month. As the buying power of the retired population suffers, each community suffers. The government collects social security taxes from people to subsidize us in our old age.  Americans will be back into abject poverty if they don’t keep Social Security strong. 

Affordable housing, medical insurance and jobs that pay over $15 an hour must also be McCarthy and Biden commitments. We must be able to buy health insurance across state lines. State governments need to make it easier for working poor to have health insurance. We need real people to answer the telephones in the state and local governments. Websites need to be simple and seamless. Working poor Americans feel like their local states aren’t that interested in helping them. 

Making medical care more affordable will solve problems for everyone including the insurance companies. Publicly listing the cost of services and surgeries was a good idea that most medical providers don’t seem to be following. Making pharmacy purchases from Canada easier is imperative for struggling Americans. 

We have some problems in America. Biden, McCarthy and Congress have a lot to do. Name calling, and aggressive behavior in the House only makes for a few seconds of television stupidity. America has some problems.  We need for McCarthy and Biden and Congress to step up and help us solve them. 

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Mary Miller receives another republican endorsement

OAKLAND -- Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL 15), running for re-election for Illinois' 15th District, has received a campaign endorsement from Senator Ted Cruz yesterday.

"I'm proud to endorse Mary Miller for Congress in Illinois' 15th Congressional District, and I ask my fellow patriots to support her," said Senator Cruz. "Mary is a conservative and the kind of fighter we need in Congress who works every day to secure our border, protect life, and protect the Second Amendment."

Miller said she is proud to tackle the party's top issues for Americans, such as restrictions to the enjoyment of Second Amendment rights, defending the unborn, and stopping the Democrat takeover of our elections.

"We will never back down in our fight against Joe Biden and the Democrats’ America Last agenda," she said yesterday. "Senator Ted Cruz is a conservative champion, and I am honored to have his endorsement. I am proud to fight alongside Senator Cruz."

Miller, who is running against Rodney Davis, has also received endorsements from The Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, the Family Research Council, and Illinois Family Action in 2022.

Davis (R-IL 13), who planned to run for governor's seat, decided he would seek re-election to Congress for a sixth consecutive term in the newly redrawn 15th District.

Mary Miller secures Donald Trump endorsement over 15th district incumbent Rodney Davis

On Saturday, former President Donald Trump endorsed 15th congressional district representative Mary Miller in the upcoming Illinois Republican primary on June 28. Miller, who quickly earned notoriety nearly a year ago at a rally two days after she was sworn in uttering a quote from Adolf Hitler, will have to unseat GOP incumbent Rodney Davis.

Illinois’ new district lines moved Davis' Taylorville home out of the 13th congressional district and into the 15th. Miller's residence in Oakland home was drawn into the 12th district. Representatives are not required to live in the districts they represent.

On November 30, with the backing of 31 of the 35 Republican county chairmen and 14 Republican state lawmakers in IL-15, Rep. Davis announced his bid for reelection.

"My family and I are excited to announce that I am running for re-election to Congress," said Davis in a press release. "I’ve been proud to fight hard for and work on behalf of central Illinois families in this district for many years, both as a member of Congress and as a staffer to my good friend and mentor, former Congressman John Shimkus."

In the New Year's Day release Rep. Miller said she is "in a strong position to win re-election in the new 15th Congressional District, which gave President Trump 68 percent of the vote in 2020."

The former president, who is considering another campaign for the highest seat in the land, said, "Congresswoman Miller is doing a fantastic job representing the people of Illinois! Strong on Election Security, the Second Amendment, and our Military and Vets, Mary is a champion of our America First agenda. She fights hard against Joe Biden’s open borders, runaway inflation, and the radical indoctrination of our children. Mary has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Clearly, the thinkers in the Miller campaign camp deemed Davis' seat an easier mark than that of Rep. Mike Bost in IL-12 in her new home district. Both Davis and Bost are liked by constituents and well-funded.

Rep. Miller's outspoken rhetoric on America's Covid-19 vaccine strategy and voting no on awarding Congressional Gold Medals to Capitol Police officers who stopped the January 6 insurrection may handicap her election efforts. A member of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, she was one of 21 Republicans to vote against the bill that passed with 406 votes.

In the New Year's Day release, Rep. said she is not a career politician and not afraid to take on the DC swamp.

"I'm proud to be the only member of Congress from Illinois who is fighting to impeach Joe Biden and the lawless Biden Cabinet for leaving our border exposed to an invasion of illegal immigration," said Miller, whose two-year term ends next January. "I am the only member from Illinois who has fought every effort by Joe Biden to use COVID vaccine mandates to fire Americans from their jobs and I opposed funding COVID vaccine databases that share information with the federal government."

Miller was one of 147 Republicans who voted to overturn results in the last election.

"With hard work, prayer, and faith in our country, conservatives will take back the House and Make America Great Again," she said.