Staff Reports
In a stunning example of political déjà vu, Vice President Kamala Harris has recently resurrected a campaign commitment first heralded by former President Donald Trump: the elimination of taxes on tips. This rather convenient epiphany came during a campaign rally in Nevada, where Harris snagged some attention from the Culinary Union Local 226, a repository of Democrats’ enthusiasm and a generous wellspring for political promises.
During her speech, Harris vowed that if she manages to snag the presidency come November, she would not only work on raising the minimum wage but specifically eliminate taxes on tips for those hard-working folks in the service and hospitality sectors. This promise is not just a late-night infomercial pitch; it’s like watching someone try to bake cookies while stealing the recipe from their neighbor’s kitchen. Historically, this is territory already claimed by Trump, who, in a show of audacious originality, had introduced his no-tax-on-tips policy in June. Clearly, Harris has taken a page from the “Trump Playbook,” one she apparently forgot to credit.
Kamala Harris Copies Trump‘s No Taxes on Tips Campaign Promise. Kamala Harris promises to fix the Biden-Harris Border.
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It's VERY VERY SIMPLE to understand. If Harris-Walz are promising now what Biden-Harris failed to do over 3.7 years, then… pic.twitter.com/VNV9T6vGua— Steve Kerwin (@stevenkerwin) August 12, 2024
What may be most amusing about Harris’s latest promise is the timing. While she tries to rally the culinary workers with her union-friendly rhetoric, her genuine commitment appears as tenuous as a house of cards in a windstorm. Critics might say that her declarations are more calculated applause lines than attainable goals, all driven by a desperation to remain relevant in a sea of diminishing poll numbers. Meanwhile, Trump is over there, maintaining his lead by sticking to his guns and presenting solutions that don’t seem to waver based on seasonal political tides.
In a recent social media tirade, Trump, ever the showman, pointed out that Harris is merely borrowing his ideas while lacking the conviction to implement them. This echoes the sentiment that Washington insiders often recycle ideas without ever really planning to follow through. Harris, akin to a student who copies homework at the last minute, seems to be banking on borrowed credibility. Trump’s critique focused on her penchant for “political purposes,” which, as he reminds us, is a not-so-secret code for empty promises that she has no intent to keep.
On a more amusing note, Trump has also gained attention by showcasing his own generosity with tips, famously leaving a $500 gratuity in Philadelphia, complete with the declaration “Vote Trump, No Tax on Tip.” Talk about making a statement! Clearly, Trump isn’t just about talk—he puts his money where his mouth is, something Harris might want to take notes on when crafting her next rally speech designed to woo service workers.
In summary, while Harris is busy scrambling for new ideas amidst the debris of dwindling popularity, Trump has proven that genuine leadership lies in consistency and actionable promises. It appears the VP has stumbled into a classic political quagmire: the more she tries to leap ahead, the more obvious it becomes that she’s stuck in the shadow of a former president who is not just a name but a force that’s likely to pull the rug out from under her campaign aspirations. Amidst all the noise, one thing seems clear: if there’s going to be a no-tax-on-tips policy anytime soon, Trump will likely be the one delivering it, not Harris.
