...Sens. Kyl and Lincoln think ‘the most pressing issue’ is ‘America’s wealthiest families.’

[babylonsister]

What is up with Blanche Lincoln?

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/02/kyl-lincoln-estate-tax/

In midst of recession, Sens. Kyl and Lincoln think ‘the most pressing issue’ is ‘America’s wealthiest families.’


Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) have offered a $250 billion proposal to cut estate taxes for the children of multi-millionaires. The proposal is attracting a disturbing amount of support. In an editorial this morning, The New York Times writes that, while the nation is focused on ending the deep recession, Kyl and Lincoln’s “most pressing issue is clear: America’s wealthiest families need help. Now.” The Wonk Room’s Ben Furnas noted yesterday:

While opponents of the estate tax claim rolling it back protects small farms and businesses, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points out that “only 0.2 percent of the additional cost of the proposal, relative to , would go toward tax cuts for small businesses and farms.”

The rest of the cost, approximately $249.5 billion, would go to the inheritors of estates worth over $7 million. Paris Hilton, get excited.

The Waltons — the Arkansas-based family that founded Wal-Mart — are one of the key groups financing the campaign to repeal the estate tax. “With all the serious work before Congress, it is a colossal waste of time to have to rebut the false claims and warped premises of ardent estate-tax cutters,” the NYT writes. “Ms. Lincoln’s and Mr. Kyl’s colleagues in the Senate should make short work of it and move on to urgent matters.”

Update: The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities offers this analysis: "Lincoln-Kyl Estate Tax Amendment is Both Unnecessary and Unaffordable":

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2759

[screembloodymurder]

1. This is an outrage!

Burn baby, burn.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Who do you think is funding Blanche's campaign? The Waltons and the J.B. Hunts of the state.

[babylonsister]

4. OK, then that would explain it. But she sure isn't serving her

constituents with this attitude.

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. In her mind, they are here constituents

The rest of the population is just gravy

[babylonsister]

6. And she's got us by the short ones, because she was voted in,

no one cares, and she can do whatever she wants with a (D) by her name. Makes me angry that she thinks this way, and I don't care who she swam with. The concept of right vs. wrong isn't even being acknowledged. :grr:

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. As far as Lincoln goes...

just off the top of my head she's probably been swimming with Sam Walton's kids and crew.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Just called Lincoln's Little Rock office and got to leave a message. I'll bet money I'll never get

a call back. Asked them exactly why she is pushing this and suggested she might be in the wrong party.

[babylonsister]

10. Thank you, sinkingfeeling!

:fistbump: I also think she's in the wrong party if this doesn't bother her.

[blondeatlast]

8. I don't get Kyl; while my state of AZ certainly has more than it's share of filthy rich,

most aren't permanent residents and they tend to a "lower tier" of filthy-richness.

Whatever, he is VILE. Worse than McCain because he is craftier by far.

[lies and propaganda]

11. i worked for the Az Dems in 2006

and the ONLY thing they cared about was getting in harry Mitchell.. we did NOTHING for Pederson because you know, he was kind of smarmy looking going against pretty and tanned Kyl and had no chance anyway. So the party wrote him off totally.

But i can tell you first hand how the 50 state strategy worked and how all the money Dean gave to us was spent on some pretty sweet technology.

they threw Jim Pederson under the bus though.

[liskddksil]

9. So its fiscally responsible to cut taxes for the rich but not to spend

money on education, and healthcare. Can someone please run against her?