During this time of high unemployment, “Now is not the time to raise taxes.” Everyone has heard that phrase from Republicans and tea party members thousands of times since President Barack Obama was elected.

The president is not talking about raising taxes, per se. He is talking about ending loopholes and tax credits for companies and high wage earners ($500,000 or more). Those loopholes and tax credits have been in effect for 10 years. Where are all those jobs they are supposedly creating?

Everyone agrees that this country spends more money than it takes in, and that cuts in spending need to be made.

Republicans scream that federal officials are spending way too much. But, when the president proposed $4 trillion to be cut from the budget, most Republicans said “no, no,” because he also proposes to cut those loopholes and tax credits.

It seems to me that the “no-no” people are not really interested in cutting the budget deficit at all. If shrinking the deficit and getting the nation’s financial  house in order were their top priority, why would they refuse an offer of $4 trillion in cuts?

My answer is that if they did that, the economy and consumer confidence would improve and jobs would be gained. That would mean that Obama had made progress.

The Republicans can’t allow that to happen, no matter what the consequences to the country.

Claire Dupuis, Poland