Dean's Speech tonight on the "Bush Tax"

[Capn Sunshine]

here's a peek at Gov. Dean's speech tonite. Pay attention other campaigns as it addresses why the "raise taxes on the middle class" meme isn't going to stick.

"President Bush never told you about the 'Bush Tax.' He never mentioned that over the next six years the typical American family will take on $52,000 more in its share of the national debt. That's a part of the 'Bush Tax.' But there's a lot more.

Take a look at your property taxes. They probably went up. In New Hampshire, property taxes went up an average of $270 per family last year. That's part of the 'Bush Tax.' Or look at your state budget. Is it in crisis? In most states, it probably is. That's part of the 'Bush Tax,' too.

Getting fewer services and paying more for things like state college tuitions or special education - that's the consequence of the 'Bush Tax.'

The 'Bush Tax' is huge -- many times greater than most people's refunds. And it'll be here for a long time to come. Just add the 'Bush Tax' to all the other things the President never told us."

To show the impact of the Bush Tax, the campaign will be distribute state-by-state assessments of the Bush Tax for selected states around the country.

To replace the 'Bush Tax,' the governor will call for fundamental tax reform:

"The New Social Contract I am proposing will include fundamental tax reform to ensure that every wealthy American individual and corporation is paying their fair share of taxes - and that the tax burden on working families is reduced.

I want to get rid of the Bush tax program and repeal the "Bush Tax". Let's start over with a real tax reform plan to make the code fairer and simpler, based on a few simple principles:

* We must eliminate abusive tax shelters and crack down on corporate tax evaders.

* Corporations and inherited wealth should pay their fair share of taxes.

* Individuals and small businesses should spend less time dealing with taxes, and the tax code must be simplified."

Get it? We want to SIMPLIFY the tax code, and create a more equitable environment for the middle class. NOT raise taxes.

[slinkerwink]

1. what channel is going to be covering Dean's speech?

[POed_Ex_Repub]

2. It's a good message...

We need to get it out there over the "he's going to raise your taxes" malarky.

[slinkerwink]

4. and get TV ads also talking about the BUSH TAX

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Bush replaced the "death tax" with the "birth tax".

Kids born today will eventually have to pay off the debt - with interest - that Bush borrowed.

[Jacobin]

5. This reminds me of why I send him contributions

He's RIGHT. There are so many hidden increases in user fees, local and state taxes that the small cut that the middle class got is more than gobbled up by the increases on other levels.

Meanwhile, the giant cuts that the richest 1% got can more than make up for the increases they see.

Wanna hear a really regressive fee/tax increase. The fee to file bankruptcy went up by 20%. How's that for "fair"

[slinkerwink]

6. exactly.

[msanger]

7. I really like this guy

Somebody on dailykos was using a signiture line of

"JOE TRIPPI IS A JEDI"

he might be right.

[KaraokeKarlton]

8. That's my Gov!

Frame the issue in language and terms voters can understand by cutting through all the BS and laying the cards on the table.

This will sell to voters beautifully!

[_Jumper_]

9. How did he balance the budget in Vermont?

His actions will give us more of an idea of what he would do to balance the budget than platitudes about taxes.

[KaraokeKarlton]

18. He balanced the budget the same way every other governor does

whether they are Democratic or Republican. He did it the same way Clinton balanced the US budget...a combination of revenue increases and spending decreases with a considerable amount of reallocation of funds.

And your point is?

:shrug:

[MercutioATC]

27. Thank you, KK...that's what's needs to be said.

He's not magic. He can't create money. He balanced the budget the only way posible...increase revenus and decrease spending. Too many people seem to be looking for a candidate who can give them everything. Dean, at least, tells it like it is. You have to give up the pittance that this administration tells you you're getting to get REAL support..

[KittyWampus]

10. How Will Dean SPECIFICALLY Lower Middle Class Taxes?

You know, a flat tax is simplifying the tax code and might be considered quite regressive...

Further, without cutting Defense/Pentagon spending we CANNOT change the course of our Economy or our Democracy.

[_Jumper_]

16. Increase their taxes, reduce their share of the tax burden

Tax increases are tax cuts. ;)

[KaraokeKarlton]

20. Do you know why Dean doesn't want to cut defense spending?

Because he wants to use a bunch of the budget for renewable energy because he considers that an important part of defense. You aren't for renewable energy?

[Upfront]

24. Huh

We can't change the way we tax, get real!

[madfloridian]

11. Where is the speech? I don't see it anywhere on the site.

Where is he giving it?

[Eric J in MN]

so far so good

Dean can't win saying he wants to raise taxes on everyone.

But if he keeps saying he wants to lower the "tax burden on working families," he has a chance.

[Bandit]

12. The Bush* Tax ~ I love it

Dean is always firstest with the mostest. Every Democrat should be hammering this subject every time they open their mouth.

[killbotfactory]

13. Ooh Ooh Ooh!

To show the impact of the Bush Tax, the campaign will be distribute state-by-state assessments of the Bush Tax for selected states around the country.

I asked them for this on the official blog!

[slinkerwink]

14. see? maybe it was you that sparked that!

;-)

[Cha]

17. "Ask and ye shall get"

Wunderbar!

[Upfront]

25. Killbotfactory

Glad your on our side. Keep up the good work.

[newsguyatl]

15. are you sure this is tonight?

i think it's tomorrow night...

[slinkerwink]

19. same here too

*pouts*

[KaraokeKarlton]

21. newsguy you sexy thing you!

What was that big surprise you hinted at before you disappeared? The Unions Endorsing or Gore? Or has it not happened? Do tell, hot stuff! ;)

[newsguyatl]

22. hey you!!

i forgot your screen name and just NOW put it with your picture! i keep thinking that karaokekarlton is a guy... lol


umm, yeh, the "big surprise" was gore... so it happened a little late... heh

i ate crow on a post here the day it happened... luckily i DID tell eloriel way back then, so she has my back (err, credibility)...

[KaraokeKarlton]

26. cool

did you think some strange dude named Karlton was flirting with you? hehehe

I'm too darn cute to be a Karlton! ;)

[w4rma]

23. Awesome! "Bush tax"! And *very* well explained! (n/t)

[frustrated_lefty]

28. To the point, and effective.

I hope he includes information on cuts in veterans benefits and combat pay in the state-by-state assessment. There are likely a number of moderate republican military families this would hit home with.

[slinkerwink]

29. same here too