Article in today's AJC on McCain/Obama tax policies

meanoldconservatives's picture

While reading this morning's paper I skimmed by the editorial section and something caught my eye. I have to admit nothing there normally does since Tucker and Bookman opine there. This op/ed was written by that very same Jay Bookman, so you know which way it leans. It is entitled "A wealth of difference in two tax-cut plans". You can read it yourself or I'll save you the time by telling you he thinks Barry's plan is best. Front page headline shock there as it came from the AJC editorial board.

Here is the part that caught my eye. The print edition has two columns that contrast the plans by income level. They are "average tax impact by income level". These estimates are sourced from the Tax Policy Center. We all know the difference in the plans when it comes to top wage earners (see income redistribution). But, let's look at the lower to middle class levels:

Bottom fifth of income - ($19,740 and less)

McCain - $101 cut
Obama - $617 cut

Second fifth of income - ($19,740.01 - $38,980)

McCain - $763 cut
Obama - $950 cut

Third fifth of income - ($38,980.01 - $69,490)

McCain - $1,441 cut
Obama - $970 cut

Fourth fifth of income - ($69,490.01 - $117,535)

McCain - $3,110 cut
Obama - $755 cut

By most definitions the "middle class" would be included in these ranges. Barry says "his agenda will ensure the middle class is thriving and growing". How many times have you seen him say the middle class has had to shoulder the burden? Reading the income level ranges and the impacts, I know where I would fit. Looks like ole Barry wants me to shoulder way more of the burden.

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sniffles5's picture
Submitted by sniffles5 on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 11:57am.

MeanOldConservative left out one critical point from the AJC editorial:
“Sen. Obama’s proposals would raise $800 billion and Sen. McCain’s proposals lose $600 billion” over the first 10 years.

In a nutshell, you'll get less of a tax cut under Obama because Obama is serious about reducing the deficit.

McCain, a man with no honor, would continue to grow the deficit. He's counting on the ever-so-selfish "'Me' Generation", which of course includes MeanOldConservative, to greedily accept greater tax cuts and stick the bill to our children and grandchildren.


meanoldconservatives's picture
Submitted by meanoldconservatives on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 1:48pm.

There were several points the article made that were left out. In fact, had you been able to digest what I wrote, I didn't quote the article at all. I pointed to the examples listed in the print edition. I encouraged everyone to read the article for themselves if desired.

You stated: In a nutshell, you'll get less of a tax cut under Obama because Obama is serious about reducing the deficit.

Quoting from Fact Check....Obama’s claim is misleading on another level. According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, "without substantial cuts in government spending" Obama’s plan – and McCain's, too – "would substantially increase the national debt over the next ten years."

And then from good old CNN themselves...."Distributionally, they're markedly different. But in terms of their impact on revenue, the two plans are not terribly different," said Roberton Williams, principal research associate at the Tax Policy Center and the former deputy assistant director for tax analysis at the Congressional Budget Office.

Hmmm, ole Barry is REALLY serious isn't he???? You can say McCain has no honor as much as you want. It will never make it true. He fought for his country with honor. He sure as hell has more honor than you too.

Tell you what Sniffer. Since you are so quick to call me selfish and you're so worried about sticking the bill to our future generations. Why don't you pay my taxes for me?? You seem to think you can decide how our money is used. That way you can feel good about paying even more taxes. Why don't you send more money into the government yourself?? They'll take whatever extra you send them. If not, give it to a women's shelter. Why don't you pick up trash on roads so we won't have to use tax dollars to pay someone to do that??? Don't want to do any of those things? Don't be greedy now....


sniffles5's picture
Submitted by sniffles5 on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 2:09pm.

I didn't accuse you of not quoting the entire article...I merely said you left out one critical point, which you did.

And rather than be a man and own up to your misrepresentation, you're trying to bluster your way through by whining and complaining (not unlike Sarah Palin) just how goshdarn unfair ole Sniffles and his facts are.

Typical conservative wuss.


ManofGreatLogic's picture
Submitted by ManofGreatLogic on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 3:33pm.

Let's say you make 80k a year. That's a pretty good salary. Now, considering that your healthcare costs your company about 8k per year, that will be considered as part of your salary under the McCain plan. You'll have to claim your benefits as income.

It's a cheap move.

There's no reason for a middle class person to vote Republican.

Republicans only represent the wealthy.


Fred Garvin's picture
Submitted by Fred Garvin on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 8:40pm.

He wants to almost double the capital gains tax. He wants to strip the FICA tax cap off every worker making more than $97,500. He wants to increase the dividend tax. He wants to let the Bush tax cuts expire - giving almost every American family an automatic tax increase.

He has called for more than $800 billion in new spending programs.


meanoldconservatives's picture
Submitted by meanoldconservatives on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 3:15pm.

If you could read and comprehend it would really help. I didn't quote a single point from the article, so how could I leave out just one? See, you'd have to quote at least one to leave one out. Again, real slowly just for you.....the facts were sidebars printed on either side of the article, not part of the article, as you can see if you look online.

Misrepresentation is showing you facts from non-partisan sources and you having nothing for them? Did those sources agree that Barry is serious about reducing the deficit? Uhh, no. That was the fact YOU stated wuss. So much for your fact.

By the way, glad you changed your avatar after I suggested you change it. Not that this one is that much better, but you obviously saw what I meant.

Typical liberal douche-bag....


Submitted by Bonkers on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 1:34pm.

No, MOC don't want to keep borrowing money, he wants to cut out Social Security, All Welfare, All mental hospitals, all federal road funds, all federal school funds, all federal veteran funds (let states do it),
all federal funds for libraries, river repair, broken bridges, more Interstate repair, federal pensions, lakes, dams, coast guard, border guards (just shoot em on sight), and any other federal money allotted to be returned to the states!
Then some could be paid on the debt, without raising taxes or putting in tariffs!

meanoldconservatives's picture
Submitted by meanoldconservatives on Sun, 10/05/2008 - 3:04pm.

Would you mind pasting the link where I said any of that?

Oh, you don't have one. Hmmm, so you were speaking for me???


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