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Also, do they mean SS and Medicare contributions in the payroll taxes, or just unemployment insurance? Like if we have a health crisis that disproportionately

Also, do they mean SS and Medicare contributions in the payroll taxes, or just unemployment insurance? Like if we have a health crisis that disproportionately affects people who rely on Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security, taking away funding for it isn't bonkers. It's batshit insane! We should be doubling, tripling taxes in the short term on those that can pay it to make up the funding gap for testing, treatment, and surge capacity. And who better than the largest medical provider in the country, with contacts and infrastructure for directing funds to every medical provider in the country? Are they going to cut off the water to the block when the house is burning down?

lordlic 7y ago
I'm all for expanding Medicare and Social Security, but to be fair the government is perfectly able to continue funding these things on a temporary basis without payroll tax receipts. Presumably a bill to freeze FICA taxes would also contain a provision for funding the expected shortfall with a transfer from the general fund or new federal debt issuance.
tdhoot 7y ago
> It's batshit insane! We should be doubling, tripling taxes in the short term on those that can pay it to make up the funding gap for testing, treatment, and surge capacity Taking money out of the economy by dramatically hiking taxes at this point seems _batshit insane_ to me. The government should be well equipped to absorb temporary shocks to revenue.
- henrikschroder 7y ago
  > The government should be well equipped to absorb temporary shocks to revenue. Good thing the federal deficit is higher than it's ever been! No, wait, crap...