Beating Bush on taxes - getting the high ground

[Neil Lisst]

Forget the balanced budget. Forget trying to make the wealthiest pay a higher tax. Stop playing defense on two losing arguments.

Stop fighting with them over their tax breaks for the wealthy, and say we will agree to a one year extension of same, PROVIDED, the Pubs agree to eliminate all income taxes on revenue under $40K per year.

Make them deny the under 40K wage earners their big tax break. After all, hasn't Bush told us over and over how much better it is to leave the money in the hands of the citizens?

This proposal would solidify the role of Democrats as protecting the below $40K per year wage earners.

Obviously, this would drive the deficit higher, but Reagan proved deficits didn't count. Didn't he? Let them worry about the long term. Let us worry about winning in November, whatever it takes.

[DUHandle]

1. Your last sentence

is my goal for the midterm elections.

[Neil Lisst]

12. If we don't win one house of congress in November,

Elizabeth, Honey, I'm comin' to see ya!

[madokie]

15. No matter who I have to lie to or steal from, we must win

[Sammy Pepys]

2. Love the idea...

...but I think even some Congressional Dems wouldn't touch that.

[seabeyond]

3. hey, what about me. why am i the only fuckin one paying taxes

both with wage and business. cant get taxes from corps so go after small business. cant get tax from rich and shouldnt from poor, so get it from middle income.

i dont think so

fix the damn thing, take loop holes out, and put their ass in jail if they dont pay

[Neil Lisst]

7. it's a deal. 40K to 100K get a 5% reduction in taxes.

we need a supermajority in the congress

[seabeyond]

10. but but but, i am willing to pay taxes. i have kids in school

wtf, schools arent getting the money anyway. just gave gift of 25 to each teacher so they could buy supplies. not the first time i have done that. i also paticipated in every money drive they have had. we are personaly funding the schools

thanks.....

all of em, assholes.

on edit: we did get the 300 all those years ago, as tax increased and we gave back to govt same year, wink

[Neil Lisst]

13. I think we need a plan that steals the TAX issue back for us.

It's Sampson's Hair!

It's Achilles' Heel!

We gotta get it from them.

[seabeyond]

14. you are right and it is important. repugs irresponsibility

is going to cause any dem elected to have to pull financial strap in order to bring money in and spend on the programs bush let rot away last 5 years, and this is going to once again pin the dems as big spenders, which is bullshit. all because of repugs lacking in fiscal responsibility.

gonna be a tough one for dems to balance

[DUHandle]

18. It’s a double edged sword.

I often think that Bush and Company are not only fulfilling Norquest’s bathtub dream but also creating a poison pill where taxes have to be raised, and that is anathema to staying is office.

A simple solution would be to enforce existing tax laws and change the emphasis to auditing the $200,000 on up people.

That group is diehard Republican, so there should be no change in the flow of votes or campaign contributions.

[mdmc]

4. any economist know how much this would cost? I LIKE IT !!

I would be willing to go down to $30ooo.00 and under = no taxes if it would help lower the deficit

[Neil Lisst]

8. it would require more govt. borrowing, driving interest rates up

but hey, shit happens!

[JackintheGreen]

5. I like it as a talking point

but I'm one of those under 40K earners (or was through '05, but no more) and I can't remember the last time I actually owed taxes. I only have one child, and I don't own a house or business, and between my wife and I one of us has been in school for the last decade or so, but those credits alone are enough to offset and federal tax liability. Somehow I doubt that I am typical, but how many under 40K earners do owe taxes come April (and I'm not talking withholding here, which smarts me as much as anybody. I suck it up 'cuz I know I'm getting it back. Yeah, interest free loan to the government and all that...)

[Neil Lisst]

9. it's true that many who fall in that area are actually fine, but

think of all the young, single voters who can look at their W2 and know they're about to get a real raise without costing the employer any more money?

It helps both the worker and his employer, because the employee gets more take home without getting paid more.

[Efilroft Sul]

6. Here's what I suggested to a Dem candidate for the House.

The Republican incumbent has to be beaten by a talking point that cuts to the heart of matters with most working members of our district. So consider adding this idea to your plan: If you are elected, one of your first acts as Representative is drafting a bill that eliminates taxation on withdrawals made by retirees from 401(k) plans.

This idea works for several reasons:
1. It is compatible with your discussions on savings.
2. It isn't wonky, and everyone who has a 401(k) will understand it AND support you.
3. It will encourage Americans to save more for retirement.
4. It is good for businesses transitioning from pension plans to 401(k) plans.
5. It is an outside-the-box idea, which is needed in Washington.
6. It is an idea that can be framed as "it's your retirement money, not the government's." You'll pick up the support of Republicans with this because it steals their talking point.
7. It will completely blindside your primary opponent and Murphy.

***

The Dem candidate wrote back, and this topic is now in serious discussion with his strategists.

[Neil Lisst]

11. I like that, too, because it solidifies the party with the elderly and mid

and middle aged voters, whom we need to win

I'm tired of fighting the pubs for economic responsibility. We're like the kid in school reminding the teacher to give us a homework assignment. Yeah, we need it, but DAMN, people hate that!

[seabeyond]

16. that is very good. yes, great comment. remind teacher of homework

lol lol no one liked that kid, lol.

[Neil Lisst]

17. it hit me one day recently: Why are WE worrying about this now?!

First, let's get control of a House on congress. Then we can consider what might HAVE to be done. But the dialogue then would be "do we increase taxes for those Bush supporters, or do we increas them for the wage earners at the bottom?

[Neil Lisst]

19. kicking this thread is taxing my fingers