Sometimes, it's like playing Whack-A-Mole, over and over, when the shills on the right keep repeating the same lies. The perfect example is the Heritage Foundation talking points on what poor people own - that both Rush and Sean Hannity repeated, in nearly identical ways, a year apart.
Similar lies about taxes keep being repeated by people like Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Rep. Michelle Bachmann - that poor people don't pay income taxes - or even taxes at all.
Which is a complete lie - one that would likely surprise most Americans in poverty.
In fact, according to the 2012 version of the annual "Who Pays Taxes In America" study, by the Citzens For Tax Justice:
Virtually every person in America pays some type of tax. Everyone who works pays federal payroll taxes. Everyone who buys gasoline pays federal and state gas taxes. People who shop in stores pay the sales taxes that most state and local governments impose. State and local property taxes affect everyone who owns or rents a home. (Even renters pay property taxes because landlords pass some of the tax on to them in the form of higher rents). Most states also have income taxes, most of which are not particularly progressive.
In fact, if you add up the total tax burden that everyone pays, most Americans pay very comparable effective tax rates - especially when compared to their income.
Long and short, EVERYONE PAYS TAXES. And the next time someone tells you otherwise, show them the facts.
For more details on who's really poor - and how we all pay taxes, check out the links below.
The "Poor Pay No Taxes" Myth
The 53% Myth: Working Poor Pay More Of Their Income In State And Local Taxes Than The Rich In 49 States
Debunking the Right-Wing "47% Pay No Taxes" Talking Point
Timothy Lange: The poor pay no taxes? That's a big surprise to them
Dave Zweifel: It’s a Lie That Working Poor Don’t Pay Taxes
Who Really Pays Taxes in America, in 2012
Less Than Half of Americans Consider Tax Bill Too High
David Cay Johnston: 9 Things The Rich Don't Want You To Know About Taxes
