How do you rebut: A Kerry repeal of the tax cuts is a tax increase

[Jackson4Gore]

How can you argue when a Repub says that because Kerry wants to repeal the tax cuts for the ultra rich, it is in effect a tax increase.

Any help on how to make my point is appreciated!

[murielm99]

1. It is not an increase, but a restoration of a previous tax.

Is this some rich bastard, or just a regular loudmouth?

[glitch]

3. a repeal on the top 1% income bracket only - highly doubtful this person

in that group.

[Jackson4Gore]

5. Oh, it is a guy who is well off

and is the same guy who wants to do away with the minimum wage, social security, ect. He is just radical and heartless. However, I keep him in place most of the time, nevertheless, I needed some advice on this claim. I did answer it about like you did above, which is good.

[Pobeka]

22. Is he that well off? 19% of americans think they are in the top 1%

I don't remember the poll, but it was hilarious and sad from the standpoint of 18% of those polled thinking shrub was doing them a favor but they were probably getting royally screwed like the rest of us.

[ThoughtCriminal]

49. That Poll is quite old now

It was taken when Clinton was President, the economy was properous and the future looked great.

[olddem43]

2. Of course it is a tax increase for the rich only, but remember

that it will only be returned to the rate that was in effect under Clinton, when times were very good and they were all making tons of money. Kerry wants to actually reduce taxes for the middle class. He (or Edwards) said if you are making over 200,000 dollars a year and you think that is unfair, you should vote for Bush.

[papau]

4. It is a tax increase on the very rich- reverses a tax decrease they should

not have gotten in order to decrease the birth tax - the National Debt - that is being used to pay for government in lieu of receiving the correct amount from the ultra rich.

I do not see a problem. Seems 98% of the population gets a larger tax decrease under Kerry. Is this bad? Must the rich always win any class warfare battle?

[Jackson4Gore]

8. Yea, this same person makes out like raising the taxes

on the ultra wealthy is so bad. When in reality many rich folks actually want to pay more, they feel obliged and that it is the right thing to do. However, he just shoots it down and says he wants his money.

[prodigal_green]

12. I've posted it before, I'll post it again

www.responsiblewealth.org

[jdj]

6. "tough shit, richie rich!"

at least, that's my rebuttal.

[onehandle]

10. ditto. nt

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. It is a tax increase for those making more than $200,000 per year

Unless your Repub friend is in the top 1% of income, his taxes will probably go down.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. And the 17% medicare "premium" is TAX INCREASE.

And that isn't someplace in the future, that is NOW.

[Nite Owl]

11. You mean you make over

200k and you're not willing to do your part to pay for this war while we have soldiers dying every day?

[Skip Intro]

13. I would say, "Taxes will return to Clinton-era rates, and

you seem to have survived the Clinton years pretty well."

This assumes its some wealthy person.

If it is a middle-class person saying Kerry will raise taxes by repealing the tax cuts for the weatly, I'd ask that person how he/she is served by keeping * in power.

I'd then describe the bush tax code as greedy - the rich sucking the life out of the poor.

There is no way the other person can come back to that, because he/she is putting forth a flawed argument.

Much of our elderly really are all but forced to neglect their health so that they can pay rent/utilities/insurance/etc. Many of our elderly really do have to halve pills, or skip some medications all together in order to pay their other bills. Meanwhile, the bush admin seeks to argue that the wealthy have it too rough, and deserve relief.

Its rediculous.

[drscm]

14. Repealing the tax breaks for the very wealthy would ultimately

aid the middle class. As it stands now, the middle class is bearing a greater proportion of the tax increases at state and local level, greater tuition costs, and greater fees. The middle class continues to pay full FICA on most if not all of its income, and that money is currently used to finance the increasing debt of this administration. Those making above 80,000+ do not pay FICA at the same rate as the average American.

[Ravenseye]

15. You Can't Have Your Cake...

...and eat it too.

[LoZoccolo]

16. I mean, I wouldn't lie.

It's an increase from now; I wouldn't wreck my own credibility trying to say it in some other words.

[kiahzero]

17. Lowering the burden on the middle class - Bush raised it

If someone really wants to pay more taxes to make life easier for the rich, they're just NOT going to vote Democratic - they're either rich themselves and want to make even more money, or they're really really dumb.

Point out that the Bush tax cuts shifted the burden of taxation onto the middle class (there's a study out that confirms this which someone less lazy than I will probably post), and that undoing this will shift it back. Also point out that if you make under $200,000 taxable income, your taxes will go down in a Kerry presidency.

[gmoney]

18. The original cut was TEMPORARY

The only way Bush got the first cut passed was that it was TEMPORARY to see if it worked to stimulate the economy and create jobs. That's why there's a sunset clause. It's not worked on EITHER FRONT (because supply side is a fraud), so it should be allowed to expire.

Kerry wants to let Bush's cut die as planned, but extend tax cuts to those earning less than $200,000 to stimulate the economy from the DEMAND SIDE. (Cut taxes for the middle class, and we'll spend the money... the rich already spend all they are going to spend anyway.)

So, if this guy owns a business or has stocks or whatever makes him rich, he should continue to do as well as he did during the Clinton years. If he makes a whole lot more money, what does it matter if he pays like 4% more tax?

Then call him a greedy freeper and throw hot coffee in his lap to see if he likes it.

[Joanne98]

19. A tax reinstatement for the rich is tax relief for the middle class.

the rich pay less taxes than the middle class. when you reduce taxes for the rich you increase the tax BURDEN on the middle class. the rich do not create jobs in this country. they invest in emerging economies. when you give them a tax cut, they use the money to MOVE JOBS OVER SEAS. this is why we always get a recession right after a tax cut.

[napi21]

20. It is a tax increase...on those who can afford it, and is for the

greater common good of the Country. That's supposed to be the concern of ALL politicians!!!! The pubs seem to have forgotten that!

[donco6]

21. Let's put it this way:

If you're making over $200,000, then, yes, it is a tax increase. But I don't really feel sorry for you.

If you're making under $200,000, then it is a tax cut. Why not allow the wealthy to pay a larger portion? They won't miss it as much as you will.

[Pobeka]

23. Just say "Oh, so you are another Cut and Spend Republican?".

Great way to guarantee bankruptcy for america!

[quaker bill]

24. Taxes are the dues we pay to live in a civilized society

It is your patriotic duty, get used to it and get over it.

[Mr_Spock]

25. Why are such stupid questions asked here?

And who gives two fucks if the rich get an appropriate tax rate?

[DaveSZ]

26. It will lower taxes on everyone but the top 2%

because it will lower most everyone's property and other local taxes.

[shawn703]

27. You show them how the tax cuts hurt THEIR pocketbooks

Point out the following:

1. The very poor got no tax cut. They still have to pay for Social Security/Medicare.

2. For everyone else, more than likely your states are getting your tax cut and then some. After all, they have to find some way to fix their budgets (and pay for unfunded mandates) since a lot of them have balanced budget laws. They might have seen an increase in property tax, state income tax, sales tax, or user fees for various services.

3. Deficit spending can lead to inflation. If the government starts printing more money to pay off debts (since they don't have anything from taxes), the value of your dollar decreases causing the price of goods to increase. If you don't get a pay raise to at least match inflation, that's more money out of your pocket.

[chaska]

28. You know, that's the same behavior they accused Bill Clinton of doing.

What did they call it, "parsing" his words? It's prevarication at least. You say tomato, I say f*** off freeper.

[Oilwellian]

29. 17,000 pages of tax codes written for your friend

Bush also recently confirmed that the rich don't pay higher taxes because they have ways around the increases. One of the reasons why Clinton's economy became so robust was because he raised taxes on the top 1%. To avoid the additional taxes, they in turn invested the money as a means to avoid them. Once Bush lowered the taxes, they cashed in leaving companies with less money to hire new workers and expand their businesses.

[2Design]

30. property tax went up, gas went up, tuition went up, all local taxes

went up because bush government is unwilling to help ordinary people

they are the Cheap Labor Conservatives and if you want low wages and 'crap' jobs - vote for them

[Yupster]

31. Why be defensive?

Can't you just say that you think the rich should pay a higher percentage of tax like they did four years ago?

Is that unreasonable?

[Jackpine Radical]

32. I can make your penis 2 inches longer

by not cutting 2 inches off.

[LynnTheDem]

33. Simple logic.

"Repeal" is not a synonomous with "increase".

Karl Rove’s grand idea is to respond to Kerry's suggestions of repealing the top 1% tax cuts by telling voters what such Democratic proposals will cost families in terms of tax increases. This, coming from the party that lied about the benefits of the cuts in the first place.

Unless you're rich rich, you didn't get any tax cut in the first place. You may have received a few hundred back on your taxes...and how much did all your other taxes INCREASE? Most Americans are now paying MORE total taxes than BEFORE bush's "tax cuts"...and receiving LESS services.

[flaminbats]

34. war+government debt =tax increases

Bush increased our taxes by creating record deficits, an endless web of new government bureaucracy, and by getting America into two wars. Kerry's policies will insure that less of this tax increase shall land on the backs of future generations.

[sandnsea]

35. YES it's a TAX INCREASE

So friggin' what. We always raise taxes on the wealthy in times of war or emergency. We've got BOTH. Geez louise, read a history book. THAT'S what you tell them!

[lanparty]

36. It's a tax CUT for our children and grandchildren ...

And they will appreciate us not passing on inherited debt while the rich worm out of paying for the system that supports and protects them.

[jerryvov]

41. "It's a tax CUT for our children and grandchildren ..."

I like that response, lanparty....

[lanparty]

44. Nevermind

Can't think right now.

[0rganism]

37. The ultra-rich get every rate cut the poor and middle classes get

Thanks to marginal rates, he'll be paying just as much on the first $30,000 as the next shmoe making below-median wages. He'll be keeping the same cuts on the next $149,000 that his neighbor making $199,000 got. And he has the unmitigated GALL to complain about the taxes on the money he gets over-and-above $200k?

Remind him that everything he makes over $90,000 is IMMUNE to the FLAT 13% payroll tax we pay into Social Security on that first $90,000.

If that doesn't work, you can remind him that we're supposedly in a war, that bush has turned record budget surpluses into record budget defecits by paying for it on credit, and his kids are going to be paying off the bondholders who are underwriting this fiasco.

If he's one of the major creditors profiteering from this insanity, kick him in the nuts for me. Thanks in advance.

[Only Me]

38. The majority isn't in his tax bracket and we are the ones it is intended

to benefit. Tell him just keep in mind, that if the low to moderate
middle class goes under, whose he going to make his next buck off of? He'll have to relocate because when all of us little people are gone the country will fold.

[UdoKier]

39. "So what? Rich people need to pay their share"

They use more of the government services than regular folks (IE interstate highways to transport their goods, military to protect or even secure their assets) Also, taxes were at historic lows even under Clinton - they did not need to be cut - the cuts have proven to be fiscally irresponsible.

Last, repugs predicted disaster wheen Clinton incresed taxes slightly on the wealthy, and we had an economic boom and budget surpluses.

Why not do again what worked so well in the 90s?

[truthspeaker]

40. My taxes won't go up, so I don't care. GOP-think turned around.

[goodboy]

42. When Prohibition was repealed, it did not "Increase" alcohol...eom

[EndElectoral]

43. Scewq it! Call it a Deficit Reduction Fee on those making 200,000 or more

[PVnRT]

45. Why rebut?

It is a tax increase.

It is a tax increase on those who can most afford it.

It is a tax increase on 1% of the country. One fucking percent.

It will help stabilize the deficit, and hopefully eliminate it.

If people can't understand that, to hell with them.

[DjTj]

46. In a time of war, the privileged should be willing to give...

John Kerry, although privileged, was willing to fight for his country in Vietnam. Wealthy Americans should be willing to give a fraction of their income to the war on terror.

[gulliver]

47. It's a tax shift. Bush shifted the tax burden from the wealthy to ..

... people making under $200,000. Kerry is going to shift it back. That's all.

[okieinpain]

48. he should say that he is cutting spending in washington. just keep saying

it over and over.

[bobbyboucher]

50. For every $1 of Asswipe's tax cut, we had to borrow $2.50, so

it was no tax cut at all, just a loan. And end with this,"Now go see if you can pry your head out of your ass".

[dpbrown]

51. An unprovoked war in Iraq is a tax BURDEN increase

While the rich continue to get tax cuts, more than a thousand of the poor and middle class have been sent to their deaths in Iraq, while the government of this country is being throttled so that Halliburton and United Defense can get no-bid contracts sucking down MY TAX MONEY!

[CaTeacher]

52. my understanding is

we are going to repeal ALL of *'s terrible offensive tax cuts. Plus there will be an additional increase for the very top people. Yes it will be an increase in taxes, but it is very neccessary for the good of all. In fact, I would not be surprised if we need more taxes to undo all the damage that has been done, and to support good stuff like health care which will help everyone. Yes people, there is no such thing as a free lunch. But what we will each contribute is very small compared to the benefits for all. So I would like to hear people quit whining about it.

[Sterling]

53. I always say, so what, tax the rich they have the money to spare.

And if they persist I start talking about how I don't feel sorry for rich people, we have 99 problems and more money for the rich aint one, son.