So about that “Obamacare is the largest tax increase EVER!” meme…

As noted by Ezra Klein on his WONKBLOG earlier today, despite the echo chamber of conservatives who’ve called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) the “largest tax increase in the history of the world,” the truth is that the ACA isn’t even in the top five largest tax increases in the past 50 years, much less the history of our nation.

Since the Supreme Court decision, Republicans have been calling the Affordable Care Act “the largest tax increase in the history of the world.” Politifact rates this false. Kevin Drum’s got a table of the 15 significant tax increases since 1950, and the Affordable Care Act, which amounts to a tax increase of 0.49 percent of GDP, comes in 10th.

Here’s a chart (courtesy of WONKBLOG) that demonstrates exactly how big a tax increase the Affordable Care Act is (if you buy into the notion that it’s a tax increase, which I don’t).

Image courtesy Ezra Klein’s WONKBLOG

I think it’s absolutely hilarious that the supposed tax increase that’s a part of the Affordable Care Act isn’t even as big as the 1982 tax increase signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, the “patron saint” of Republican politics.

For the record, I’m among those who understand the tax penalty included in the ACA isn’t a direct tax – it’s a tax penalty for those who choose not to buy health insurance coverage. Surely that’s a fine distinction, but it’s a distinction nonetheless.

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7 thoughts on “So about that “Obamacare is the largest tax increase EVER!” meme…

  1. Acceptance my friend. The Supreme Court has ruled that Obama Care is a tax. While it may not be as big as some in the past now over time it will be devastating to many families.

    1. JWayne spits up a talking point: “devastating to many families”

      False. On its face. False. Go read the CBO reports. Do some research. If you mean by “many” families less than 1% of this country’s population, then you may be on to something. And devastating? Did you actually bother to see what the actual penalties are? I’ll give you a hint: They are significant factors LESS than the penalties enacted under RomneyCare. Go look it up.

      And since exactly when was ANYBODY on the right concerned about a few citizens ability to pay for anything? Please save the concern.

  2. LOL does anyone with a IQ higher than 35 take republicans serious? OBAMA can’t take a breath without it being the destruction of the world. According to them OBAMA has out spent all the previous presidents combined, REALLY? republicans are like the boy who cried wolf after awhile intelligent people consider the source and ignore them, no not your typical republican foxbots! they get caught time after time in lies and their response?? just start another lie!! LOL I stopped taking republican seriously back in the regan regime! Whats really pathetic is republicans have an entire network that spews fictitious lies 24/7 and republicans actually think using fux as a source of REAL information can win them a debate!!! thank you rupert murdoch, you just made ignorant people slightly less informed

    1. And if it’s not OBAMA, or OBAMACARE, it’s DODD-FRANK. It’s always something. And on it goes.

  3. Our first afro american president has just exposed how racist this country still is! And in Texas it’s beyond insane! I know I know it’s not 100% racist inspired but right after OBAMA won in 2008 and watching many WHITE people literally crying “I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!” after seeing the milf (sarah palin) call OBAMA everything up under the sun stopping just short of NIGGER really showed me how vile and pathetic many republicans can be! But of course when you tell them their actions have zero to do with policy but with him as a man they get highly offended and want to turn the tables and actually call you THE RACIST!!! incredible! But as long as democrats play nicey nice with these republicans theres no reason for them to act civilized! Democrats are a part of the problem too!

  4. If George Will is adulating Justice Stevens for his “Obamacare” decision instead of calling him a “turncoat” as most others are doing, you can be sure that there was something for the Republicans and the conservative Supreme Court in that decision. And the coup des gras is calling the penalty for opting out of insurance coverage a tax. This gives credit to the Republicans for calling Obama a “tax and spend Democrat.” At the same time it prevents the Court from allowing the Federal government to mandate penalties as they did with the military draft or price controls. Or as local governments do with automobile insurance.
    The fact remains that if the Affordable Health Care act (Obamacare) is implemented fully healthcare prices for all will be much more affordable, including the insurance. That the Republicans believe they can’t afford to allow to happen.

    1. I’m sure you meant Justice Roberts. John Paul Stevens retired from the court two years ago.

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