North Texas Daily

On Dec. 20, 2017, Republican lawmakers celebrated a historic victory as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was passed, and everyone freaked out. Angry accusations were tossed in the faces of those who supported the bill, claiming that it legislated theft, gifted money to the rich and favored high-income earners.

Hog wash.

These notions are factually untrue and intentionally misleading. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is good for families, individuals, businesses and — most importantly — freedom.

Families and individuals in the low- and middle-income brackets will pat their pockets this year with a warm smile on their faces, as tax rates for all have been dramatically decreased.

Average Americans will have the ability to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, invest them as they see fit and use them as they please. And to those who are angry about possible tax cuts for the rich, they will be happy to learn that the new tax system maintains a 39.6 percent rate for high-income Americans — no different than it has been in the past.

American workers will also be freed in six years from the shackles in which they have been held prisoner for years: the shackles of the dreaded “Death Tax.” Known as the Estate Tax, this immoral system taxes the income, capital and property of any business or farm as it is handed down from the deceased to the rightful new owner.

Keep in mind that these businesses have already paid taxes in the past, and, for some indiscernible reason, the federal government decided long ago that it would literally tax businesses again for a natural process that cannot be evaded. I mentioned in the beginning that this bill is important to freedom, and this is one of many reasons.

Another reason it is important to freedom is because of the repeal of the Obamacare mandate. There is not much to say on this subject. Americans will no longer be forced by law to purchase a commodity, and that is quintessential to maintaining a free society.

But what about the dreaded corporations? The tax plan slashes the corporate tax rate to a historic low. What was once a 35 percent tax is now a mere 20 percent. I mean, if you read Vox or Slate, you would know the GOP is giving out a massive handout to evil “Big Business.”

Once again, this is undeniably false. Sorry folks, but taking less of a company’s money is not giving them more. It is simply taking less and allowing it to use that excess as it sees fit. Does that mean a corporation will use that money for good? It is certainly a possibility. Companies like AT&T, Wells Fargo and Walmart have already announced they plan to give massive bonuses to employees. Walmart directly cited the tax plan as the reason for its ability to give bonuses, raise minimum wage to $11 an hour and increase benefits for maternity leave. Wells Fargo has even raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour.

On the other side of the coin, however, many companies will not be so kind with the money they are allowed to keep.

And that is okay. Though, I wish many companies were more giving, they absolutely have the right and the freedom to do with their profits as they please.

One of the beauties of being an American is that your job is a consensual agreement and you are not held captive by your employer. Do you not like how they are treating you? Do you think that the big wigs are greedy and lack compassion for their employees? I have good news. You do, in fact, have the ability to quit.

Altruism cannot be forced, and when such an attempt is made, it is called tyranny.

The bottom line is this: This new tax plan is great for the American economy, individuals, business and — most importantly — freedom.

Featured Image: Illustration by Gabby Evans