One thing that could absolutely poison the reconciliation bill is a hike in the top income tax rate.

We mentioned in a HOTLINE in recent days the political and economic calamity when then-President George HW Bush raised tax rates and the Republican Party imploded as voters rightly revolted.

Since then, Republicans have not stuck their finger back in that electric socket. Republicans (and Democrats) have not allowed the statutory highest income tax rate go above 40% since 1985.

But now, we are hearing Republicans in Congress and some economic advisers in the White House wanting to raise the highest rate to 40% (or even slightly higher) to punish the rich. Apparently they’ve been attending Bernie Sanders rallies.

If this were to happen, Republicans would be raising the income tax rate to higher than Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Really? Would they really intentionally do something that they know would hurt the economy? We thought only Joe Biden did that.

If they do, they deserve to get electrocuted by voters, and deserve it.