Dean confirms tax cut plan, but gives no details

[Karmadillo]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/01/10/dean_confirms_tax_cut_plan_but_gives_no_details/

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Howard Dean said for the first time yesterday that he will propose cutting payroll taxes to provide middle-income tax relief, but he added that he wouldn't unveil details until after Feb. 3 -- after many of the early and important primaries and caucuses are over.

Payroll taxes are those used to fund Social Security and Medicare, and the majority of Americans pay more in such levies than in income tax. One Dean adviser said the plan might involve providing an income tax credit to middle-income taxpayers to offset some payroll taxes. The employer's share of the tax burden may stay the same.

<edit>

Dean's policy director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, called the Globe at 8 p.m. to make what he called an addition to Dean's statement. Ben-Ami said it is always possible that Dean would pick an option other than payroll taxes as a vehicle to provide middle-income relief. "The governor is clearly weighing the options, but no final decision has been made," Ben-Ami said.

Without the details of Dean's proposal, it is difficult to analyze it. But the main controversy about any proposal to cut the payroll tax revolves around the question of whether such a cut would drain revenues from the Social Security Trust Fund, which is financed by payroll taxes.

Dean stressed that he didn't want to any reduction in payroll taxes to take funds away from Social Security. Thus, he said that he would get around that problem by using money from general revenues to make up for all the money lost under a payroll tax cut.

more...

[maddezmom]

1. need the details n/t

[Renew Deal]

2. Here are the details

These flip flops are so colorful.

[chimpymustgo]

3. ROFLMAO!!! That picture could get a LOT of use in commentary on Dean!

nt

[maddezmom]

4. have to admit, I love flip-flops

on my feet!!! What a nice variety. :)

[w4rma]

13. …through tax reform, put money in the hands of those most likely to spend…

…
BY HOWARD DEAN
Friday, August 22, 2003 12:01 a.m. EDT
…
We can do better. As president, my economic policies will be focused and clear. I will begin by repealing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and using the revenues that result from the repeal to address the needs of the average American, invest in the nation's infrastructure and, through tax reform, put money in the hands of those most likely to spend it.
…
I will give tax reform a top priority in my administration. But unlike the tax initiatives of the current president, my program of tax reform and relief will be targeted to the average Americans who are struggling to make ends meet--not those whose needs are well provided for.
…
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003920

[windansea]

19. which ones are the middle class tax rates?

[AP]

5. Anyone how didn't have a well-thought out tax plan from the beginning,

I have to ask, "and you want to be my president?" This is only the most important issue in politics today. Taxes are the single biggest way the Republicans are transferring wealth up the ladder (closely followed by driving wages down).

[KittyWampus]

6. No Details= No Plan

Dean is not looking good on this.

This shit is going to be harder than hell to make Dean a "Sell" in the General Election... if he gets the nomination.

I am appalled at how his campaign handled this tax issue... are they freaking novices?

And how they handled Dean's new found limited access to the media is also horrifying.

[maddezmom]

22. did anyone get the plan yet? n/t

[bahrbearian]

7. Not having Details didn't stop Bush from being Selected.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. I'm not too excited about following Bush's example.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. nor will most voters. They will stick with Bush. They're the same

on most issues

[tedoll78]

17. Wow.

"They're the same on most issues."

That has to be one of the most asinine comments I've ever read on here. And I've read a lot.

[SEAburb]

8. Dean blinks in reaction to Clark's

progressive tax plan that shows real democratic party values. After holding firm on his tax plan despite attacks from Kerry, Gephardt, Edwards and Lieberman, Dean is forced to change his tax plan in response to Clark's progressive tax vision. This is big and shouldn't be over looked.

[maddezmom]

10. Feb 3rd is too late...Dean needs to roll out the plan ASAP

When asked yesterday why he has delayed a detailed announcement, he said, "I haven't been able to talk to the policy people in a while and I won't until after Feb. 3." That is when South Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, and several other key states hold their primaries. The New Hampshire primary is Jan. 27.

[Dookus]

12. He had a plan - all written down and everything!

Now he's just waiting for a judge to unseal it.

[sandnsea]

14. Can we kick this guy to the curb now please

Come on people. The guy doesn't know what the fuck he's doing. We can't nominate somebody who changes his mind every the wind blows. He changes when there's just a little swirl. This is absolutely ridiculous. Nobody is going to vote for somebody who isn't consistent.

Supporters spent the better part of the last year railing against the other candidates because of their support of the Bush-lite tax cuts and their refusal to repeal them. Now there's no problem in turning around completely. Oops, sorry we slaughtered you when you were right all along.

The tried and true Democrat, our friend in Congress for 20 years, John Kerry. Think about it.

[AP]

21. I feel the same way.

(paragraphs one and two, that is)

[tedoll78]

16. If Dean is careful, this could be spun well..

voters aren't going to look at the uber-specific details. They'll want to know the basics. The mere fact that he's offering a tax cut plan in the future is more than many candidates have won with before..

[windansea]

18. I gots me a really good plan

just no details...

[Karmadillo]

20. What would be cut to free up money from general revenues?

Dean's already said he doesn't want to cut the defense budget.

[democratreformed]

23. Good question. I've been wondering what would be cut, too. n/t