Capitol swirl: Hurricane relief only one of the storms awaiting Congress

Congress returns Tuesday.

First up, a relief package to the tune of about $8 billion for the thousands of victims of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey.

Then the debt ceiling, already near $20 trillion, is likely to be raised to continue funding the government ahead of what would otherwise be the nation's first ever default. Some mention has already been made of tethering the relief package to the debt ceiling debate, but what is the payoff? More pork?

Not very conservative thinking if you ask us.

Sure, the president may deport the Dreamers, but probably not. He may throw a wrench in the works and force a government shutdown if the wall doesn't get funded, but probably not.

No, aside form the Harvey relief, which again is a no brainer as we who suffered through Matthew and even back to Floyd can attest, there remains the tax reform effort to consider.

The nation's tax system is broken, forcing companies overseas where land, labor and other capital is far cheaper and tax rates far lower. And then we wonder why American's can't find work, can't produce and export goods and are losing the competitive edge in the world.

The tax rates must come down, but the caveat is that the corporations and the already-rich have to do the right thing after. Bring the companies back. Hire the workers. Contribute to the restoration of America's infrastructure. Pay the working class the wages that permit them to buy homes, cars, goods and services that drive the economy.

A robust economy thrives on low unemployment, good wages and exporting more goods than are imported. Lowering the corporate tax rate is only half of that equation, sure. But without it, there is no "other half" to be had.

Published in Editorials on September 2, 2017 9:15 PM