Wait...DID he change the numbers on the tax thing?

[Fran Kubelik]

It used to be any family earning under $250K was going to see lower taxes. $200K for individuals.

But in his commercial he just said $200K for families.

[Scooter24]

1. $200-$250k will stay flat...neither increase or decrease

[RinaX]

3. It was always no one making 250,000 or less would see a tax increase

And always a tax cut starting for those making 200,000 and below...

[RinaX]

8. Sorry Scooter, meant to reply to first post. nt

[Fran Kubelik]

4. Oh, ok.

It's confusing because while his policy didn't change, his approach in communicating it has.

[MadBadger]

10. The problem is that he has always been emphasizig his 250,000 dollar claim

To the point where myself and many other DUers thought he did lower the amount. If some on DU got mixed up, there is a good chance that this confused others in the real world because he hasnt emphasized this 200,000 claim.

[Purveyor]

17. You are absolutely correct. The repukes will exploit this. Obama should have stuck with one number

[woolldog]

19. I was confused too.

Boneheaded move by the campaign.

[jobycom]

2. No raised taxes under 250K, lower taxes under 200K. nt

[Hamlette]

5. it has always been this way, 200K for individual $250 for family n/t

[Fran Kubelik]

6. He said $200K for family on his commercial just now.

[TornadoTN]

7. I agree - I hope there is further clarification here

I know what it means and I know what the tax plan entails, but the average voter is going to say "wait a second, I thought it was $250,000"? Regardless of whether they are close to it or not, this will pique interest and concern (yes concern).

[Fran Kubelik]

11. McCain has been harping on it for days.

..and when he does, I always yell at my TV: "$200 for INDIVIDUALS!!" But then when Obama said: "Families earning under $200K..." I did a double-take.

[TornadoTN]

18. You can be rest assured McCain's already running with this

My wife and I were watching and when that came up, she could notice my expression and said "What happened"?

Again, I really hope he clarifies this at some point especially after how awesome this program has been tonight. I know what he means but many people do not and they'll only hear what the talking heads say.

[HughMoran]

9. Flat from 200 - 250k, kind of a response to that ass-fuck McCocksucker

McCain should be turned into a sewer pipe.

[Kaleko]

23. LOL. Don't be too verklemmt now. Express yourself!

[Uzybone]

12. He will not raise taxes on over $250,000 families

he will cut taxes for under $200,000 families

It has always been that.

[oviedodem]

13. You have to read the plan on his site. He empasizes no increase for 250K or less

[Fran Kubelik]

16. I've been explaining the plan to people for weeks now.

But just now, while I was half-listening, I heard him say something about FAMILIES earning under $200k, where his emphasis has always been on families earning under $250k. I think it might be a mistake for him to change the way he approaches the communication of his plan at this point. It's confusing, even if you're paying attention most of the time.

[Zuiderelle]

14. Yeah, it's confusing. He has said "If you make less than $250K you won't see a tax increase."

But saying it the way he did here is confusing... I wish he had repeated what he has said, and then FOLLOWED it with, "AND, if you are a family making less than $200K you will see a tax cut."

I'm sure it will be twisted tomorrow.

[Life Long Dem]

15. McSame said the same thing. It used to be and now it is, and now it's...

McSame will talk about it more for Obama! :rofl:

[Phoonzang]

20. They better be ready to make sure to clarify this.

If not..."concern trolls" might end up being right.

[Fran Kubelik]

21. I hope you're not calling me a troll

:shrug:

[TornadoTN]

22. I dont' think that was directed towards you

I think it was reinforcing your point. I'm with you - and I'm no concern troll.

[Fran Kubelik]

25. Thanks

:pals:

[Phoonzang]

24. No, no, no not at all.

I was subtlety chastising people who use the term "concern troll", because I think it's thought suppression.

[Fran Kubelik]

26. Oy. I totally agree and understand.

Thanks - and sorry I was too dense to get the subtlety.

[Phoonzang]

27. No prob. It happens to everyone. n/t

[Bonn1997]

28. A related topic: The public doesn't understand our graduated income tax system

For example, when Obama says those earning over $250K will have an income tax increase (specifically from 36 to 39%), I think the public thinks the entire income or paycheck of the wealthy will be taxed at a higher rate and we're subjecting them to unfair, unequal treatment. "Why do the wealthy get penalized with a tax increase that no one else gets?" In reality, though, it's just the marginal portion of their income above $250K that has an increase in tax rate. So if Joe the plumber makes $280K/year after he starts his new business, he gets to keep his low tax rate just like everyone else (i.e., is treated equally to everyone else) for the first $250K that he makes. There is no new tax that he pays that no one else does. But then for the marginal amount above $250K (i.e., $30K or $280K - $250K), he pays 39% instead of 36%. It may be the case that the Democrats have decided that this is too complicated for the average person to understand, but I think the message could be conveyed pretty simply. Every time a Dem mentions that Obama is raising taxes only for those making above $250K a year, they could also add something like, "...and it's actually only for the marginal amount above $250K. So if Joe the plumber makes $280K next year..." . I think the difference is that this framing of the issue conveys that there *is* still equal and fair treatment for everyone and it also emphasizes how minimal and innocent the tax raise is. We want the public concluding something like, "Gosh, Joe the Plumber is outraged because he's merely gonna pay 39 instead of 36% on the portion of his income between $250 and $280K? What a greedy man!" That seems even more greedy then the conclusion that I think many independent but conservative leaning individuals might now reach: "I can understand why Joe wouldn't want his entire income to be taxed at a higher rate than everyone else just because he's successful."

I know this doesn't exactly address the OP's comment but it's a related topic I've thought a lot about. I'm not certain I'm correct that it would have been worth framing the issue like this. I'm posting this really because I'm curious what other people think.

[ShadowLiberal]

29. The 200k used to be for single people I think

[endthewar]

30. 200k and lower = tax cut. 250k and lower = no tax increases.