| Pass the Bacon |
21 April 2003
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Congress Lards up Security Bill
While the country was busy watching the exploits of the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, Congress was busy passing the legislation needed to protect those most able to pay for it. The new Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003 and the Tax Relief, Simplification and Equity Act of 2003 (benefiting the families of the space shuttle crew) have become special spending for special interests. The message is wrap it in the flag, and cut one's own taxes with political donations.
For those who hunt with bow and arrow, there is an $11 million cut over 11 years. An excise tax is imposed on imported bows to the advantage of domestic bow makers. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) sponsored the bill and said, "The federal government doesn't really understand bowhunting." Congressman Ryan does, he is a bowhunter.
Fishing tack boxes have been taxed, while sewing boxes (essentially the same product put to a different use) have not. Why it never occurred to everyone involved to call a tackle box a sewing box and put lures in it anyway is beyond reason. Note, though, Speaker Hastert's district includes Plano Molding of Illinois, a major producer of such boxes. This provision is three times more expensive than the bow-and-arrow cut at $33 million over 11 years. Kensington wonders why hunters and fishermen are being treated differently.
Finally, corporate farmers are getting a special tax break when they are forced to sell livestock due to bad weather. This will cost $45 million over 11 years.
Seriously, there may well be solid cases for each of these (bows are rarely used in high school massacres and should be prefered to guns for hunting), but to put them in with other legislation demeans all involved.