Carter implemented COLA, Reagan taxed benefits, Clinton increased tax

[bhikkhu]

32. Chained CPI was portrayed acurately

but the president's proposal was not. As in many other things (such as the proposal to lower corporate tax rates to 28%) you have to look at the whole thing. A good question would be - why would a president who has focused so much on a primary objective of reducing income equality suggest such a thing?

In the first case, because the details of the proposal and how it would be implemented would do just that - reduce income inequality. It was designed to protect or increase the incomes of those most in need, and raise the contributions or reduce the incomes of those who have plenty of other income. Thereby reducing inequality.

In the second case - same thing. The reduction in corporate income taxes was tied to provisions that would close loopholes and lead to corporations actually paying those rates. Which would reduce inequality considerably, if you look into how much taxes the biggest corporations really pay.

This is all old news about stuff that was dead in the water months ago, but the reason both measures were not even considered by other side is most understandable if you look at what they were intended to do.