Obama Criticizes McCain on Taxes

[book_worm]

CHICAGO - Democratic Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday that Sen. John McCain reversed his position on President Bush's deep tax cuts in order to win the Republican presidential nomination, one of his sharpest criticisms yet of the Arizona senator he hopes to face this fall.

Criticizing GOP efforts to extend major tax cuts from Bush's first term and to eliminate the estate tax, Obama said: "These are all steps that John McCain rightly said were irresponsible when they first came up."

"He made a decision to reverse himself on that," Obama told reporters as he flew from Chicago to Washington for a series of Senate votes on budget issues.

"That was how, I guess, you got your ticket punched to be the Republican nominee," he said of McCain. "But he was right then, and he's wrong now."

McCain has said he supports extending the tax cuts, which he initially voted against, because the economy is struggling and tax reductions offer some stimulus.

"Well, it's very clear that I voted to make those tax cuts permanent several times," McCain said as he flew to Washington. "Senator Obama has stated very clearly his desire to increase Americans' taxes. That'll be one of the great debates we have if he is the nominee of his party."

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20080313/47d8b4d0_3421_1334520080313-1949271116

It's good to see one of our candidates attacking the presumptive GOP nominee.

[DLnyc]

1. Hurray! A post about actual policy!

(snip)
He said he believes he can pay for such plans by closing tax loopholes, placing a new tax on carbon emissions, phasing out the Iraq war and ending the Bush tax cuts for the nation's highest earners.
(snip)

Just to emphasize, " tax cuts for the nation's HIGHEST EARNERS." I think it's important to emphasize that we are talking about the portion of the tax cuts which goes to the HIGHEST EARNERS, since the HIGHEST EARNERS a) don't really need tax cuts since, by being the HIGHEST EARNERS, they aren't hurting for cash like the rest of us and b) the HIGHEST EARNERS aren't going to spend their tax cuts, since, being the HIGHEST EARNERS, they have lots of excess cash already and will probably just put those cuts into savings, not into purchases which immediately stimulate the economy.

Also very good points: a tax on carbon emissions will improve the environment and add incentives for development of alternative energy sources as well as raise revenues. Many seem to believe this is better than carbon "credits", since the credits can just lead to speculation and manipulation, whereas the taxes would directly discourage emissions. And I hope many of us agree that tying the cost of BushCo's insane war to our economic problems is a good policy.

[Redstone]

2. Yes, it indeed IS good to see that.

Redstone

[writes3000]

3. What a refreshing post! A candidate criticizing the Republican competitor, not lifting him up.

[SunsetDreams]

8. no kidding

That's exactly what we should be doing, attacking McCain.

Has Hillary ever attacked him? I haven't seen it. I have seen her attack Bush though.

[Umbram]

9. No kidding, it's amazing! (nt)

[DLnyc]

4. (kick)

[FrenchieCat]

5. Kick his ass, Barack........can we say John Flip don't know who he isFlop McCain?

Up the street and all the way down the street!

[SunsetDreams]

12. Hi Frenchie :)

How are you doing?

[Cha]

6. And I wonder why the economy is

so bad? Could it be from previous "tax cuts"..from the bushits?

[KAZ]

7. That's what I'm talking about!! Uh, well, he is, but I agree!!

[rucky]

10. That's the stuff we need to be seeing!

take aim.

[gmudem]

11. Kick!

Can a post of substance stay at the top of the page? One can only hope.

[KAZ]

13. It's feels so good to be fighting a Puke!!! Sorry for posting twice.

[Mooney]

14. Who is this "Sen. John McCain" of which they speak? n/t