McCain’s attacks on Taxes are just plain stupid

Never heard the Tax Policy Center accused of being non partisan before...

One assumes that this is solely proposed federal income taxes, no mention of proposed tax increases in dividend or interest income, indirect taxes on all levels of manufacture, ripple effect of increased taxation at higher levels (opportunity costs) and so on.

As for a loss in Federal revenue, that's bad? It is not their money after all and neither of these two clowns has any plan to DECREASE spending which is the chief government problem. Decrease spending and reapportion the budget to paying down the debt by cutting some defense/entitlements.

Thank you, Chuck! That's what I had on my mind when I saw this article!

I have heard McCain say that government spending needs to be reined in and has fought for that for many years. He spoke this morning to the VFW convention in Florida and spoke about the pork that is put into bills at the last minute with no discussion on the floor. He has fought pork for many years. I believe him when he says that government spending should be less, not more and I believe he will fight for that as opposed to Obama's plan of growing the government through more federal programs. It's just a matter of common sense in my opinion. Also, Obama will allow the tax breaks we got under Bush's administration expire in two years and that my friends is a tax increase for most of us in the middle class. I don't know how you can defend Obama when that is going to be the future tax increase. And, it's true about the FICA taxes. They can take what they want from that without any problem, and that is what they will fund the National Health Care program that will insure illegal aliens. Check the numbers that Obama has said will be covered under the plan. He is including millions of illegal aliens, that's fact, folks.

And, Charles is right. It's our money. I would choose to save or spend it as I see fit. I don't believe it's fair for the government to take it and spend it on frivolous money making deals for themselves.

Obama will allow the tax breaks to expire for people making over $250,000, impacting less than 10% of taxpayers. The FICA change will affect the top 20% of US earners.

This post is dealing with taxes. Neither candidate is providing substantive plans for reigning in spending. Eliminating pork is a noble goal, but that alone would have a minuscule impact on the federal budget.

I am also not dealing with the wisdom (or lack thereof) of either candidates tax plans. Personally I agree with McCain's more than Obama's. This post is limited to McCain's attack ads.

Someone has to recognize sometime that the piper must be paid. Whether it is by us or our great grandkids depends on how ethical we want to be perceived as. Yes, both candidates will reduce federal revenues when they should not be.

The purpose of taxes, legitimately is to fund the government. Therefore any tax cut should be preceded by having enough revenue to cover the cost of that government and its budget plus enough extra to pay a reasonable payment on the national debt. Until that occurs, anyone offering any tax cut is simply pandering for votes or trying to pay off contributors from past payments.

Either is highly unethical! I know that the candidate who says "I'm going to increase taxes" has just signed his own political death certificate, but that candidate would be the only responsible, ethical candidate running! And would get my vote in spite of the fact that I don't like paying taxes any more than anyone else.

We must address our national debt as well as eliminate the budget deficit. Were it not necessary to pay to service the national debt, just imagine what other purposes we could address with the money saved. And that would include possible legitimate tax cuts instead of the pandering false ones!

Where did the idea originate that we didn't have to pay this money back, and that we didn't have to pay the interest on it? I can assure everyone that it must be paid! Like it or not! Tax cuts remain irresponsible at this time regardless of which political party proposes them! Sure Obama's do a lot more for the working class than McCain's but neither are appropriate at this time! Both are simply pandering!

Anytime anyone thinks that they can cut spending enough to do the job, they are deluding themselves. Every year the government serves more people, thereby increasing the cost. Every year there is inflation to contend with, thereby increasing the cost. All this to be done with no increase in taxes? It doesn't make sense! Our commitments alone are a formidable amount of the budget.

And, we have elective wars to finance that we won't ask the people to share in the sacrifice. Just go out and spend like there was no tomorrow. We'll charge it to our great grandkids. We have tax cuts to pay for. But nothing to replace that revenue.

If we want this or that particular program, there are costs involved. I don't care if it is a minor item or something as big as national health care. The people have the right to set up such a program, but we have to fund it! We cannot ask our great grandkids to do it for us! If we want a war, we need to fund it. Our great grandkids may not understand the reasons the war was fought and wonder why on earth they are stuck with it.

This is an unfair burden to dump on them. I, for one, am tired of the pandering and the voodoo economics that says we don't have to pay for what we get! How about some responsible government and funding?

It is OK to borrow some in the case of a war but to cut taxes at the same time? Let's get real here! The American public has been asked to contribute not one cent to this war. But our great grandkids have been asked to contribute heavily. This is wrong!

Yes, I'll vote for Obama, but make no mistake about it, both candidates are dead wrong on the tax issue. Neither represents responsible plans. Everyone is looking for what is in it for them and therefore, this kind of irresponsible campaigning works. Play on everyones selfishness! It is totally disgusting!

The fact is that McCain would continue spending $10 Billion dollars a month on Iraq indefinitely, regardless of what the Iraqi government wants. We're borrowing most of that, and at some point, the debt service on that will have to be paid.

McCain's plan to give more tax breaks to corporationsis just fiscally irresponsible. I get the feeling that the Republicans would say anything to get elected, regardless of the financial cost to the country.

And Barbara, McCain's health care plan would cost about 10 times more than Obama's.

McCain doesn't want to take money from the rich, his words, not mine. So who will pay off the debts? "I want everyone to be rich." Does he really believe that is possible? And yet he doesn't believe in equal distribution, mind you. I think Obama is right: McCain has lost his bearings.

I find it rather humorous that the career politician, McCain, who has been partly responsible for the republiCON fiscal disaster that we've been saddled with, is suddenly pretending to be an agent of change!

I want my own army and my own road that I can charge YOU for crossing....I also want my own in house physician and perhaps a cook. A nice house boy would work too [over 18 please] it's my money!!!

I agree with McCain.... lower taxes across the board and lower spending. Obama is for higher taxes across the board and higher spending, more government programs, etc.

Meanwhile, Obama has a brother who lives in a 6x9 shack and lives on a dollar a day. Is this who we want to be our next president? He can't even help his own family... and you think he's going to help you? Ha ha....keep dreaming moonbats!

Aren't there more variables here than meet the eye? Is it possible to accurately predict an exact loss of federal revenue?

For example, if unemployment decreases, wouldn't there be an increase of revenue?

Well gee Don, there you go!!

You have it figured out. And I thought I WANTED to pay higher taxes. Thanks for helping us make an educated decision.

Hey, what do we do about terrorism Don?

What's that.......fight it? Ohhhhhhhh

okay, thanks again Don for enlightening us.

I agree James C. -- the Republicans have have embraced borrow and spend economics -- and our children will pay for it. What does McCain car -- he's in lock step with the rest of his party. He married a trust fund baby and his tax policy smacks of self interest. It doesn't put "America first", as he is fond of saying. It rewards him and his cronies at the expense of the middle class.

Don,

which of the government programs wold you relinquish to accomplish what you've stated? Be specific, please! All the wasteful ones or similar statements don't cut it.