Marathon Pundit: Michigan congressman proposing tax breaks for pet owners

I like dogs and cats. I'm not anti-pet. Among the advantages of pet ownership are that their owners tend to live a little longer, and they're happier.

But the recession has been tough on pet owners--and pets. Shelters are overwhelmed with animals--some cash-strapped individuals are forced to give up their animal companions. Worse, some heartless jerks facing foreclosure abandon their home--but leave their pets behind.

What to do? Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) thinks pet owners need a tax break. He's proposed the HAPPY Act, which will give pet owners a $3,500 tax break in the hope that it will make it easier for pet lovers to keep their furry friends.

Even under normal times, this is a terrible idea, but we have a $13 trillion deficit staring at us.

Dog owner John Tillman doesn't think much of McCotter's proposal either.

I would describe it as stupid," said John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. "People choose to get pets on their own. The taxpayer shouldn't be subsidizing pet ownership. What's next? People who decide to plant flowers? Flowers make people happy. Are we going to give people a tax break for flowers?"