Commentary: The scam the Republicans are pulling on the American people

Would you take a moment to answer a few simple questions:

How many people would take out a second mortgage on their homes to put extra money in their pockets and give money to their rich neighbors by putting their children’s or grandchildren’s names on the loan making them responsible for paying that money back in the future, only to make themselves look good in the eyes of the community? Most people would call them out for trying to portray themselves as good people when in reality they are frauds scamming their way through their lives.

The children they used as collateral would endure hardships and less comforts in their lives paying back this debt, while others who took advantage of it when it was offered could care less.

This is the scam that the Republican party and President Trump have just pulled upon the United States.

Anyone with common sense should see the Republican and Trump tax act as what it really is. A scam on society making everyone feel good up front, only to kick the ball further down the field that will make the citizens of the United States pay for it later.

To keep the government running and provide the same level of services to the people, that money has to come from borrowing more money by raising the national debt, (something Republicans claim they are against), or cut programs and government services to recoup this give away.

What makes this even more of a scam is that for roughly eight years, or two terms of the presidency these tax breaks would continue, gradually being reduced until they virturally disappear, but the gains to their rich elite friends and corporations will continue unabated. Why did they not make these tax breaks permanent for taxpayers? There are two answers. One, they know that someone has to begin paying for these breaks in the future and, second, more than likely the other party will be in office when this occurs so they can blame the other party for higher taxes.

If they are going to cut costs, some say the the Republicans are going to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Some believe they will even rob these funds to pay down the debt to make themselves look good to the taxpayers.

Everyone has heard the claim that Social Security will begin running out of funds by 2033. The reason this is true is that the government has raided this pot of money that U.S. taxpayers have paid into for other expenses not related to retirement. One good example is money taken from this fund to help pay for the Iraq and Afghan wars with no intent of them paying it back.

These politicians need to be put on notice. Any attempt to rob U.S. taxpayers or retirees of their Medicare or Social Security will be considered by “We The People”, as a criminal act and they should be removed from government and locked up with all their benefits and savings confiscated.

Think about this scam by the present administration and the Republican party the next time you go to the election polls. More importantly, realize that every citizen needs to see the right to vote as an obligation to vote. Never assume that the other party is going to win, but take the time to vote to insure that your vote is counted. Make sure all of your friends of voting age are encouraged to vote.

Let 2018 be the year of the voter, with the largest turnout of United States citizens going to the polls and casting their votes than any previous year in history. Let all politicians from every party know that “We The People” come first, and anyone who believes that party, corporations and the rich comes first should be pushed into the gutter where they belong!

Dan Entler, Salt Lake City, served in the U.S. Air Force, worked at NORAD, worked at NASA Goddard for Digital Equipment Corporation and is now an adjunct instructor at the Salt Lake Community College.