GET READY, THEY'RE COMING - AT 7:44 A.M. ET:  Taxes, I mean.  The Wall Street Journal, one of the few news outlets that actually understands the economy, editorializes this morning on the new push for a Value Added Tax, to pay for the "programs" that we all asked for in the last election.  You remember asking for all these programs, don't you?

Candor about taxes is rare in Washington, so when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi admits that Democrats may have to impose a huge new tax on the middle class to fund their spending ambitions, believe her.

Speaking with PBS's Charlie Rose on Monday, Mrs. Pelosi mused publicly about the rising possibility of enacting a value-added tax, or VAT, as part of broader tax reform. "Somewhere along the way, a value-added tax plays into this," she said. "Of course, we want to take down the health-care cost, that's one part of it. But in the scheme of things, I think it's fair to look at a value-added tax as well."

I love it, I love it.  We want to "take down the health-care cost," at a time when the Medicare rolls will swell with baby boomers.  The only way they'll "take down" that cost is by cutting care, especially for those unattractive oldies who get more conservative as they age.  Who needs 'em?

The allure of a VAT for politicians is that it applies to every level of production or service, rakes in piles of money, and is largely hidden from those who ultimately pay it—namely, consumers. With a $9 trillion 10-year budget deficit, $4 trillion in spending in fiscal 2010 alone, and a $1 trillion (at a minimum) health-care entitlement in the wings, Mrs. Pelosi knows that not even the revenue from the expiration of the lower Bush tax rates in 2011 will cover the bills. Nearly every European country that has passed national health care has also eventually imposed a VAT, and it's foolish to think the U.S. will be different.

But, of course, we're not being told the truth by the president.  He knows the score, but will blame any economic crisis on BUSH (!!). 

The way this crowd will impose taxes is obvious.  First, they'll establish social programs, with no means to pay for them.  Then they'll declare that the government needs money for these "popular services."  Having made a chunk of the population dependent on the services, they have a built-in constituency to raise taxes to pay for them, especially if the taxes are hidden, or paid for by someone other than the person receiving the services. 

The bills for the Democratic spending blowout are coming due even sooner than advertised, and the middle class will pay, whatever Mr. Obama's campaign promises.

COMMENT:  And this will come as we're trying to rebuild the economy.  Tax a weak economy.  What a concept!

We're on our way to becoming Europe, which has always been the dream of the intellectual elites who control the Democratic Party.  They go to Europe, party with their friends, get briefed by socialist professors, and think they're seeing reality.

And please contemplate what all this will do to national defense.  Where do you think the first cuts will come from?  Get ready for all the talk about the "industrial-military" complex and BUSH'S (!!) wars. 

The only way this looming catastrophe can be avoided is for conservatives to badly dent the liberal forces in the 2010 elections.  Can it be done?  Yes, with enormous effort, solid candidates (not just the guy who's next in line) and a savvy communications strategy that will talk over the heads of the talking heads.

October 8, 2009