Why It’s Hard to Get Rid of Tax Breaks

Because someone everywhere benefits from them; they are close to a third rail.  From the NYTimes:

But members of Mr. Obama’s own party have backed many of the breaks. Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York was a leading proponent of the Nascar benefit, which helped a track in upstate New York; Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon helped push through the break for toy wooden arrow makers, which also benefited a manufacturer back home; and Mr. Kerry, who serves on the special Congressional committee that is trying to reduce the debt, has been a main driver behind the beer bill.

Republican lawmakers come across no better.  It’s this type of behavior that makes Congress so unpopular.  But it’s not clear that individual members are not listening to their constituents.

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