Death and Taxes

Death and Taxes

Watching scenes of angry and fearful protesters rail against "death panels" and taxes to pay for universal health care, I find myself ever more disappointed that the media pays such attention to the irrational side of democracy. Yes, we should hear all sides of an argument, but how many different ways do we need to hear "I'm afraid of death and hate paying taxes"?

More to the point, why do we give these cheap populist tactics any legitimacy? Everyone is afraid of death to some degree and would prefer to not pay taxes, but that's true all the time. The opponents are targeting specific parts of the proposals, but the core motives and arguments are driven solely by those basic emotions, not by the rational thinking needed to work out this intricate debate.

of course, this isn't the first time these irrational extremists let their fear and anger control them. The so-called "teabaggers" rallied against higher taxes. apparently unaware the Tea Act that led to The Boston Tea Party actually lowered a tax on tea. The "birthers" are sticking to their story despite a complete lack of evidence to support them and a mountain against them. Health care reform is the first non-imaginary cause they've taken up, but they seem intent on focusing on imaginary issues, like "death panels". Such a tragic waste of time given all the actual problems that need to be worked out.
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