ROFL - Key To Palin's Alaskan Budget Surplus - An Oil Windfall Profits Tax Like Obama's Proposal

[Median Democrat]

I found this article dated August 10, 2008. You know how all the pundits are bragging about how Alaska's state budget is running a surplus? Well, how did Palin get that surplus? By imposing an oil windfall profits tax similar to the one Obama has proposed, but that McCain opposes!

So, next time some Republican brags about the Palin running a surplus in Alaska, point out that it is due to an oil windfall profits tax similar to what Obama has proposed, but which McCain opposes. The Republicans like to call that being a Maverick, but that would then make Obama a Maverick for recommending the same step on federal scale. Indeed, the highlight of Palin's career is imposing a tax that has long been a part of Obama's platform:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008103325_alaskatax07.html

/snip

Republicans in Congress this June united to defeat a proposed windfall tax on oil companies, deriding it as a bad idea that would discourage investment in U.S. oil exploration.

Things worked out far differently in the GOP stronghold of Alaska, a state whose economic fate is closely tied to the oil industry.

Over the opposition of oil companies, Republican Gov. Sarah Palin and Alaska's Legislature last year approved a major increase in taxes on the oil industry — a step that has generated stunning new wealth for the state as oil prices soared.

At a time when Americans are feeling the pinch at the gasoline pump and oil companies are racking up record profits, Alaska's choice foreshadows one of the sharpest debates in the upcoming presidential election.

Democrat Barack Obama supports a national windfall-profits tax, while Republican John McCain opposes it.

Alaska collected an estimated $6 billion from the new tax during the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. That helped push the state's total oil revenue — from new and existing taxes, as well as royalties — to more than $10 billion, double the amount received last year.

/snip

I cannot wait until someone asks McCain in light of Alaska's budget surplus would he reconsider his opposition to Obama's proposal to impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies. If McCain opposes with his spending is the problem response, then follow-up and ask whether he thinks that Palin's approval of such a tax was misguided.

[panAmerican]

1. And to think - her payout to taxpayers is GREATER than Obama proposed

This is an excellent article you found. Good detective work. Can't wait to send this to my inlaws, lol

[smoochpooch]

2. Hopefully this will be exposed by MSM

Or at least by the Obama/Biden staff.

[Median Democrat]

5. I Think Its Great Debate Fodder - How Can McCain Praise Palin's Handling of Alaska Budget

Yet, condemn Obama's proposal to impose a similar windfall profit's tax on oil companies? Likewise, how can McCain defend the tax breaks he proposes to give to oil companies when he brags about Palin's handling of the Alaska budget, and she did the exact opposite of what McCain proposes. When McCain calls Palin a maverick, does he know that he is praising her ability to impose a tax, rather than give a tax cut, to oil companies?

This should then make Obama, not McCain, the real maverick.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. put the story on Digg

excellent find.

[anigbrowl]

4. Heh. Good catch!

[Median Democrat]

6. Carville Mentioned This Point That Alaska Is A Rich On CNN

In other words, bragging that Palin ran a budget surplus in an era of run away oil prices is not that impressive, particularly since Palin imposed the windfall profits tax.

[BlueIdaho]

7. I wonder

just how long the MSM can keep ignoring this stuff before they are forced to start reporting it? It is absolutely amazing just what a colossal mistake McCain has made here. Does the MSM really want this guy and his little sidekick sleeping with the nuclear football? Do they really think they can keep a lid on this thing?