The Paul Tsongas Memorial Pander Bear Award (01/11/08)
Another tough call, but I do believe I have a winner.
According to Political Ticker, Rudy Giuliani has a new TV ad coming out in Florida, then nationwide, in which he claims that on his first day in office, he will send Congress the largest tax cut in US history.
I’m all for tax cuts, but the operative word in his ad is “Congress”, which, if it is still controlled by Democrats (which I hope it isn’t) will be less than amenable to further tax cuts.
Frankly, I doubt all GOP members in Congress would go for the “largest tax cut in history”.
But hey, if it will induce old people on fixed incomes to vote for Rudy, what’s not to like?
Rudy Giuliani: the Pander Bear salutes you!
[...] qcexaminer put an intriguing blog post on The Paul Tsongas Memorial Pander Bear Award (01/11/08)Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
Pingback by Repulicans Presidential Election 2008 » The Paul Tsongas Memorial Pander Bear Award (01/11/08) | January 11, 2008
and the other question would be whether our current economic condition is even favorable for a tax cut. i know capitalists like curren thinks any tax cut is good for the country, but i guess he just isn’t a fan of roads, fireman, policemen, or anything else taxes pay for. though i do often forget, ALL tax dollars go to lazy people on welfare!
Comment by Robbie | January 11, 2008
Not to mention who will pay for the war in Iraq which the Republicans are in favor of supporting? Leave the mess for our children and grandchildren. Is that really an answer?
I still think making the Oil Companies pay for their war and getting Blackwater out of there today would go a long way to end the war. Rampant lawlessness must stop! Corporate welfare and greed must be ended!
Big business currently can apply the kind of pressure the American people are currently lacking. What happened to . . . “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth?”
Most of us need to make ourselves heard that we are against the war, against outsourcing our jobs (BTW stop buying made in China junk at WalMart), and against the richest getting an ever bigger share of the pie. We need to exhibit some of that idealism we had in our youth: Volunteer, vote, write your representatives, run for office in our cities and towns, become part of the solution!
Comment by Christy | January 11, 2008
I’m thinking tax cuts may have run their course, and I sure don’t see any popular consensus for the deeper tax cuts that Rudy is promoting.
When Reagan initiated tax cuts back in the 80s, we were in dire need of tax relief after decades of Democrat controlled Congress and WH (get real, Nixon was no conservative) tax and spend policies.
But the current Bush policy of cut and spend cannot continue.
Nobody wants higher taxes—except rich liberals, but if we continue to cut taxes, we’re also gonna have to cut spending—-which Reagan did, even with a Dem controlled Congress.
Unless we get a GOP controlled Congress, with a Dem POTUS, we’ll be back on the spend and spend track—to the detriment of our economy.
At least that’s my view.
Comment by qcexaminer | January 11, 2008
Christy, look around your house – I would suggest that a majority of the items in your house are not US-made. Get a grip – you are part of your own hypocricy.
By the way, can you please explain to me – how the war is the Oil Companies? How are they profiting from this? Please be specific.
Corporate welfare and greed must be ended – huh? How about individual greed, shouldn’t we end this also? If you are so concerned about greed, why don’t you invite 20-homeless people to live with you? I have seen this many people live in one house in other countries – as you seem to not be greedy and must not need anything beyond bare necessities – while caring so much about others, please do it.
You know – we need to become part of the solution!
Comment by Josh Curren | January 11, 2008
Sorry Robbie, but it has nothing to do with what you and I ‘think.’ It is an absolute proven fact that when taxes are cut, tax revenues increase – as the economy grows.
Again, liberals think certain things but rarely allow facts to get in the way.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 12, 2008
Yeah, thats right Josh. 50% of this country is simply stupid and you are obviously the smartest person in the world. I am so glad you started gracing us with your presence again so we can all learn so much from your tremendous intellect. Thanks for all the ‘facts’ in your reply. Oh wait, you didn’t provide any… How convenient.
Comment by Robbie | January 12, 2008
I am sorry Robbie, but it is a fact that this happened under both Reagan and GW Bush. It’s not too hard to look up – which, I am certain, you can do.
I do not believe that I know everything, nor have a stated such. In fact, I specifically stated that this has nothing to do with what I ‘think’ – it has to do with a fact. One that I know, one that you will know once you chase it a little.
Am I smarter than you – apparently on this subject.
Feel free to let me know if this is not correct. I am quite certain that we will not hear back from you on this subject.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 12, 2008
How about when Clinton raised taxes on the wealthy in the early 90’s and created the largest surpluses ever? Remember when that led to great economic growth?
Comment by Robbie | January 12, 2008
Fair Tax
http://www.slate.com/id/2181833/
Comment by thescoundrel | January 12, 2008
Robbie, the “largest surpluses ever” might have had less to do with Clinton in as POTUS and more to do with the GOP gaining control of Congress after 40 years of Democrat rule.
Or maybe the combination of the two.
After watching the spending orgy when the GOP controlled both Congress and WH, maybe the best way is divided government—GOP control of Congress and Dem in the WH.
Comment by qcexaminer | January 12, 2008
Scoundrel, the Fair Tax thing is interesting, and so is the Flat Tax for that matter.
But like so much in DC, I fear there is no political will to change the tax system.
If I remember correctly, the last time there was a massive overhaul of tax policy was during the 80s and the Reagan era.
I just don’t hear any public outcry about the tax system, in part I suppose, because of the Bush tax cuts.
Comment by qcexaminer | January 12, 2008
i agree qce, i didn’t mean to imply that it was a democrat/clinton only thing. since curren used prez references , i threw in clinton to be consistent.
i agree that a divided system might be best, but currently each party ‘looks bad’ if they work with the other. the culture of hate has become too widespread. people now seem to see the other side like we used to see communists. simply as our enemies and less human than our side.
Comment by Robbie | January 12, 2008
Robbie, please look beyond the obvious. Two primary issues contributed greatly to Clinton surplus,
1. Clinton cut the defense budget dramaitically – which is a consistent Democrat President means of cutting expenses. Carter did it to a massive degree and Reagan had to indure budget deficits in order to build defense to a degree that the defense department was effective.
2. Clinton was the recipient of the tech-boom and the buying/ selling that led to great short and long-term investment gains. (And please do not suggest that any politician had anything to do with this).
Also, you make a flaw in thinking that budget (balanced, deficit or surplus) necessarily equals Government RECEIPTS.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 13, 2008
You can try to side step around the issue all you want. But the fact is, a dem president and a repub congress made tax cuts which further stimulated the economy. That was the question you asked, and thats the answer you got. Don’t let your hatred for Clinton blind you.
p.a. – so we aren’t really in a huge debt to the Chinese? our are constant budget deficits not really occurring because our receipts are different?
Comment by Robbie | January 13, 2008
Robbie, my only comment, one which you have not addressed, is that tax CUTS have HISTORICALLY ADDED revenue, not taken revenue away.
They stimulate and grow the economy.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 13, 2008
yeah, right… keep changing the subject… i thought we were disputing your economic fact that the only way to stimulate the economy was to cut taxes??? apparently you have given up on that fight just like your stupid FEC argument a few days ago…
and i am not disputing that tax cuts can help the economy. but if you go back and read my very first comment, i questioned whether current economic conditions would be good for our long term. i never said that tax cuts are inherently bad. but as usual you assume way too much about other people.
p.s. – sorry my blog only has 3 participants as you stated. please point me to your website so we can see how much traffic you get.
Comment by Robbie | January 13, 2008
Boys! Boys! Boys! “Mine’s Bigger” is not allowed here!
Comment by qcexaminer | January 13, 2008
its not my fault mine is bigger and he wont admit it!!!!
Comment by Robbie | January 13, 2008
Well, I am glad to see that you appreciate that tax cuts indeed can help the economy.
If you will recall, that when Reagan cut taxes, 1981, we were in the midst of considerably worse time (double-digit inflation AND interest rates – as well as serious unemployement and corporate woes). it certainly worked under worse conditions.
And, yes, your blog is bigger than mine.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 13, 2008
However, I do not understand how I ‘gave up on the FEC issue.’
I clearly stated that corporations cannot donate to campaigns – and that unions contribute large amounts of money to campaigns (Democrat campaigns).
Both lobby.
You want me to debate whether corporations provide funds under the table? I am sorry, I am not going to debate something this silly. You can play your conspiracy theories on your own.
Comment by Josh Curren | January 13, 2008