Clark attacked by Media because of his progressive tax plan?

[cryofan]

There was an interesting post in another thread that really struck home for me. I have had Clark as my tentative number one, but after seeing how upset this right wing Washington Times op-ed article is about Clark's progressive tax plan, I think he is now clearly the frontrunner for me.

We know that the media studiously avoids any mention of more progressive taxation, and instead prefers to dwell on minor issues like gun control and the death penalty, letting those issues define the liberal debate. But of course the progressive tax structure that has disappeared over the last 30 years is what we need to get this country back in line.

Quoted from dumpster_baby's post:

Clark is getting a lot of RW attention for his progressive tax reform plan. That is why Mike Moore and McGovern are supporting him. Clark is going after the upper income brackets, and the RW does not like it bit. The RW in both parties have been successful in hiding the erosion of our progressive tax system for decades. But this year it is starting to get the attention of some of the Dem candidates, most notably Clark and Edwards. Looks like Clark has the most radical plan. The progressive tax plan is where the Liberal rubber meets the road, fellow DUers. Stop being distracted by minor issues.

Here is an attack piece on Clark from the Wash Times:

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The Clark tax-increase scheme
"Restoring progressivity" to the federal income-tax code was the first goal identified in retired Gen. Wesley Clark's Families First Tax Reform, which he unveiled last week. Mr. Clark promised to "shift the tax burden" to those "with the most to spare." As a recent IRS report revealed, however, the nation's income-tax system already is quite progressive.
The top 1 percent, while earning 20.8 percent of income in 2000, paid more than 37 percent of total federal income taxes. The top 10 percent paid 67 percent of income taxes on 46 percent of total income. That is the definition of progressivity. Indeed, half the nation's taxpayers paid less than 4 percent of income taxes in 2001. Given that a married couple with two children earning $40,000 in 2003 will owe the IRS less than $50 in income taxes, Mr. Clark should understand the simple concept of progressivity.
Of course, Mr. Clark has no intention of "restoring progressivity." What he clearly wishes to do is to make the nation's indisputably progressive tax system much steeper. An apt description for such a plan is class warfare. The retired general undoubtedly hopes that his politicized arithmetic will pay huge electoral dividends, even as he seeks to virtually triple the top tax rate on stock dividends from 15 percent to 44.6 percent.
The scheme is simple: Maximize the number of people who would qualify for tax relief, while minimizing the number of people required to pay for it, thus maintaining ostensible revenue neutrality.
...


As part of his 10-year, $1.1 trillion tax increase, Mr. Clark previously pledged to raise the top income-tax rate to 39.6 percent from the current top rate of 35 percent, which happens to be 7 percentage points higher than the top rate established by the 1986 bipartisan reform effort. Now he will be raising the top rate by another 5 percentage points, to 44.6 percent. Mr. Clark pledges that the latest rate increase will apply to only the top 0.1 percent of tax filers. In his lexicon, they have "the most to spare." In reality, they have the most to invest.


http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040110-103813-6580r.htm
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CLark is now my strong favorite, followed by Edwards, and Kerry a weakening third.

[Melodybe]

1. Clark had guns on him b/c he has been honest about Bushco

My feeling that the GOP is the most scared of Dean, Clark, and Edwards in that order.

[Valjean]

2. Not far enough

They need a new tax bracket (or two) for the "super-rich". During the "great time" the 50s that everyone always brags about, there were tax rates over 50% for rich folk. THAT was the reason for the relative prosperity.

[cryofan]

3. I agree. Taxing the rich is our path to prosperity

And keeping in mind how important an issue this is for the liberal agenda, please how the LITTLE the media mentions this. Oh, we get all KINDS of media mention about other "liberal" issues gay rights and race and affirmative action and abortion and every other divisive issue, etc etc, but NOTHING about progressive taxation. Why is that, I wonder?

[John_H]

4. They're attacking Clark for one reason only

He can beat the Chimp by ten points. Every repuke seems to get it. When are we Dems all going to get it?