The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Inflation Reduction Act. This act is completely paid for ensuring that the largest corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share, and will reduce the deficit by $300 billion.
The bill helps combat climate change by speeding up the de-carbonization of our economy. Independent analysis estimates atmospheric carbon pollution (methane) reductions of 31-44 percent by 2030 — very close to the 50% that we need. Transitioning from fossil fuels will ultimately ensure true energy independence, make gasoline price shocks a thing of the past, and help turn Nevada into a clean-energy powerhouse.
This bill is not only good for the environment. The bill will lower Affordable Care Act premiums for millions of Americans. It will close tax loopholes and enforce the tax code. There won’t be any new taxes for small businesses and families making $400,000/year or less.
Every Democratic vote is needed on this bill. The bill has passed the Senate and headed toward the House.
Rob Bastien
Citizens' Climate Lobby
Carson City
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is scary
Both my wife and I were special agents of the U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Customs Service. From 1986-89 we taught at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. We learned at the time that the Treasury Department had about 12,500 agents including the Customs Service, ATF, Secret Service, IRS and a number of smaller agencies. At the same time the Justice Department likewise had about 12,500 agents in the FBI, DEA and the Marshall’s Service.
After 9/11 the government realized it was woefully short of agents and the Justice Department and the Treasury Department enhanced their personnel to about 20,000 agents each.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act the IRS is going to be enhanced by 87,000 revenue collectors. Do you think it takes 87,000 more revenue agents to collect from Ford, General Motors, Boeing, FedEx, UPS and any number of other large companies in the U.S.? Dream on. They are going to have to go after small businesses and individuals. People who have “all cash” or mostly cash businesses will be the first targets. As the IRS becomes more enhanced (as the new revenue collectors come on board) look for the IRS to start a program where citizens are rewarded for turning in their neighbors who are tax cheats for a reward.
What the Inflation Reduction Act is in fact is creating a secret police to be used by whatever politician is sitting in office. If this doesn’t scare you, you aren’t paying attention.
Ron Landmann
Carson City
