Apr 15
John Thune throws out a little GOP red meat
By Denise Ross
Tuesday was the deadline for Americans to pay the IRS, and Sen. John Thune, R-SD, took the opportunity to promote the GOP’s desire to make President Bush’s tax cuts permanent.
Except it should be noted that they aren’t calling them “President Bush’s” tax cuts any longer. Wonder why? Could it be that, as Joe Klein noted over the weekend, the prez’s approval rating is “below freezing”?
Anyway, here is what the GOP, and by extension, Thune IS saying about “the largest tax increase in history,” brought to you by the Democrats.
Under the Democrat’s proposal, tax rates beginning on January 1, 2010 will be increased in most tax brackets. The increased child tax credit will expire, the marriage penalty will be reinstated, and the death tax will increase to pre-2001 levels, making it among the highest in the world.
Read the full press release on the jump.
Thune Calls for Lasting, Meaningful Tax Reform
“South Dakotans and Americans in general approach April 15th with great anxiety, and with good reason. The figurative tax collector knocking on the door of hard working taxpayers draws into focus the real tax burden placed on American families.
“Current Congressional leadership is either oblivious or unsympathetic to the tax burden on American families. Last month, the Congressional Democrats proposed the largest tax increase in American history.
“Under the Democrat’s proposal, tax rates beginning on January 1, 2010 will be increased in most tax brackets. The increased child tax credit will expire, the marriage penalty will be reinstated, and the death tax will increase to pre-2001 levels, making it among the highest in the world.
“Presently, Americans work for 113 days out of the year just to pay their federal, state, and local taxes. By comparison, Americans only need to work for 60 days to pay for annual housing costs, 35 days to work for food expenses, and 50 days for medical care.
“These numbers are staggering, but it is worth pointing out that before the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, American had to work an additional two weeks to pay their federal income taxes.
“Congress can and should work in a bipartisan manner to fix our broken tax code. Streamlining our tax code will strengthen our economy, improve the competitiveness of our businesses, and greatly ease the tax burden for all American families. Proposing to increase taxes in a time of economic uncertainty is the wrong course and will make Tax Day an even greater burden for all working families in the future. ”
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Thune is part of the problem in Washington, where deficit spending, and passing on current bills to our kids and grandkids is the order of the day. He talks about tax cuts while he votes for deficit spending. He’s just as reckless and irresponsible as everyone else in congress - democrat and republican alike. It could be said that he is MORE reckless because he’s trying to hamper the government’s ability to pay the debts that he himself votes for.
If Thune were a statesman, rather than a poser out to score cheap partisan points and grab headlines, he would vote against each and every budget that includes deficit spending. And he would encourage every other member of congress to do the same. I don’t believe there is any potential for Thune to become a statesman. I don’t believe Thune will ever handle the people’s budget the same way he handles his own budget.