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Media Beat
Book Review
Tax time: pain for most, windfall for the wealthy

“Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush’s America,” by Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose wraps up disturbing information in humorous, easy-to-take prose. If you are a) looking for more information to argue the demerits of this administration or b) increasingly frustrated by the president’s doublespeak or c) suffering because you’ve been “Bushwhacked” by his harmful policies, this book is for you.

In the chapter on “Class War,” the authors compare what Bush’s economic and tax policies are doing to you, the average tax-paying American, with what they are doing for people in the president’s tax bracket. As April 15 approaches, there’s ample ammunition here to serve as a primer on class inequity and the distribution of wealth in America. As you mail your tax forms off to the feds, here are a few facts to consider.

In the first round of Bush tax cuts, 40 percent of the benefit went to the richest 1 percent of the population, those making over $373,000 a year. They got an average bonus of $53,123 — more than most Americans make in a year.

Bernard Rapoport — a socialist insurance millionaire (only in America) from Waco, Texas — let the authors use him as an example. In the second Bush tax cut, passed by Congress in 2003, Bernie will get a windfall tax break of $92,000, while the average working family will get $256. Almost half of all taxpayers will get a cut of less than $100.

“According to White House numbers, the second round of tax cuts would leave us with greatly increased deficits indefinitely,” say the writers.

There’s more – much more – all of it served up in a witty style. But you have to read the book to savor the pain. As the authors write, “This fight is not about lifestyles. It is not about religion. It is about who’s getting screwed and who’s doing the screwing. And anybody who tells you different is lying for money.”

This book is available at the Education Fund Library, Room 201 at DC 37.

— Jane LaTour