Staff Reports
Kamala Harris has decided to take a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook, and she’s not shy about it. In a campaign speech in Las Vegas, the Vice President championed the cause of service workers by promising to eliminate taxes on tips—a notion Trump introduced earlier this year. Naturally, the former President wasted no time in calling out Harris for her lack of originality, branding her a copycat and asserting that she “won’t do it” but merely seeks to gain political points. This stunning development raises questions about whether Harris genuinely cares about everyday Americans or just sees an opportunity to ride the coattails of Trump’s more populist ideas.
During her speech, Harris claimed to fight for working families, raising the minimum wage and eliminating tip taxes for hospitality workers. However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this rhetoric closely mirrors Trump’s earlier proposals. The real crux of the matter is that while Harris waxes poetic about her ambitions and promises, she needs Congress to back any significant changes. For someone who once bragged about her legislative prowess, Harris seems to forget that lofty statements don’t hold water without a solid plan and genuine bipartisan support.
No taxes on tips @KamalaHarris said in favor while her administration rolls out a new reporting program on combating taxes off of tips! #CopyCatKamala #VoteWiselyMyFriends pic.twitter.com/Kole9guHUH
— Kevin Hawkins (@GO2Hawkins) August 11, 2024
The Culinary Workers Union—whose loyalty in Nevada is something Harris clearly hopes to curry favor with—was all-in for her speech. The union’s Secretary-Treasurer exclaimed that Harris acknowledged hardworking hospitality professionals and promised to deliver the state for her and Walz. It’s all very touching until one remembers that unions like to rally around candidates who make big promises while remaining quite skilled at avoiding accountability. So, while the Culinary Workers Union may chant slogans about history being made with a woman president, it’s the taxpaying citizens who might be left holding the bag if these progressive policies ever hit the books.
Interestingly, Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky noted that Harris and Trump have now both thrown their support behind a tax-free tips proposal—a bill he claims to champion. Massie, who has long been advocating for this notion, was quick to point out that this bill isn’t a new concept but, rather, one that has its origins in the libertarian ideals of former Congressman Ron Paul. It raises an eyebrow as the same party that loathes Trump’s policies now clings onto the coattails of a previously successful Republican idea.
Amidst all the rhetoric and soundbites, real Americans might wonder whether these lofty statements will translate into actual policy changes or if they’re mere political theatre aimed at securing votes in an increasingly critical election year. As Harris continues to traverse battleground states in hopes of unseating her opponents, it remains essential for voters to sift through the claims and promises to discern what’s genuine and what’s just a cleverly packaged echo of Trump’s agenda.
