Taxes, taxes, taxes

In the republican debate last night,  between questions about Newt Gingrich's marriage and Peter King forgetting that Ron Paul was a participant, the candidates were asked whether they would or would not release their tax returns prior to the South Carolina primary.

Why do people care about these returns? The issue seems to be that people want to know whether any of the candidates pay a lower tax rate than they do. The problem? As David Leonhardt points out, many Americans don't know what their tax rate is and therefore wrongfully assume that if Romney pays 15% they must pay more.

Tax Holiday

A great holiday themed political cartoon from the Atlantic:

There what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But a fired up commander with aspect severe.

"This isn't like poker - it's not just a game"
He asserted with force and addressed them by name:

"Now Boehner! now, Cantor! now, Womack and Reed!
On, Lanford! on Kinzinger! Pass this with speed!