Be a patriot, support the war tax

Representative Obey’s declaration that all further Afghanistan funding should be deficit neutral is imminently logical, which is why it will fail.  This is the perfect chance for Republicans to prove that they actually do care about our country’s fiscal health; for Blue Dogs to prove that they actually do care about our country’s fiscal health; and for Progressives to demonstrate their national security credentials.  Because it’s a blatant tax proposal, however, I suspect that it won’t make it to the President’s desk over the obduracy of the DeMintians.  Of course we’ll pass a war appropriations bill because Democrats are afraid to appear weak on national security and Republicans know American voters don’t approach war rationally.

Finally, it’s obvious that a war tax would piss off most of the natural Teabaggers and anyone else who doesn’t understand how you have to pay for things you consume.  Especially really expensive things like two massive wars halfway around the world  in places with poor infrastructure.  Or the monthly balance on your credit card.  Funny how such massive and small things are really manifestations of the same mentality.

On the other hand, what about issuing war bonds?  I see two likely scenarios: Republicans call it a disguised tax increase, or Republicans decry it as Democrats driving us further into debt.  FOL.