Biden: It's Patriotic For Wealthy Americans To Pay Higher Taxes

CANTON, Ohio — Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden on Thursday called Republican John McCain's answers to the current economic crisis "the ultimate bridge to nowhere" and said paying higher taxes would be patriotic for wealthier Americans.

In response, McCain said raising taxes in this economic climate is "just plain dumb."

Biden said the GOP presidential nominee was out of touch with average people's problems, hoping to resonate with voters in economically troubled northeast Ohio and keep pressure on McCain during a week of bad news from U.S. markets and financial institutions.

Polls in Ohio, a swing state, show a tight race.

"John McCain's answers for the economy _ and we're in such desperate shape _ is the ultimate bridge to nowhere," Biden told an audience of 2,500 on a turf field outside the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The reference to the infamous Alaska project dubbed "the Bridge to Nowhere" was a dig at McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who supported building the bridge until Congress moved to kill it as an example of wasteful spending. She has since claimed she stopped the nearly $400 million bridge, designed to link a southeastern Alaska town to its airport on a nearby island, and told Congress "thanks, but no thanks" when, in fact, the state diverted the money to other projects.

In an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," Biden said wealthier taxpayers would indeed pay more under the proposals of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Under his plan, people earning more than $250,000 a year would pay more in taxes while those earning less _ the vast majority of taxpayers _ would receive a tax cut.

"We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people," Biden said. Of those who would pay more, he said: "It's time to be patriotic ... time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut."

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McCain misstated Biden's remark when he told supporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that Biden had said "raising taxes is patriotic."

"Raising taxes in a tough economy isn't patriotic. It's not a badge of honor. It's just plain dumb," McCain said. "The billions in tax increases that Sen. Obama is proposing would kill even more jobs during tough economic times. I'm not going to let that happen."

Palin piled on, too.

"Joe Biden said it again today, raising taxes is about patriotism," she said in Cedar Rapids, where she appeared with McCain. "To the rest of America, that's not patriotism. Raising taxes is about killing jobs and hurting small businesses and making things worse."

Biden responded during remarks to about 150 people at a Laborers' International Union of North America Local 894 in Akron.

"Tell me how everybody is better off? The point I want to make is, and I mean this sincerely, wealthy people are just as patriotic as poor people. We just have not asked anything of them," Biden said.

Although McCain claims Obama would raise taxes, the independent Tax Policy Center and other groups conclude that four out of five U.S. households would receive tax cuts under Obama's proposals.

In a new TV ad that repeats widely debunked claims about the Democratic tax plan, McCain's campaign charges that Obama would increase the federal government amid an economic crisis. Contending that "a big government casts a big shadow on us all," the ad features the image of a shadow slowly covering a sleeping baby as a narrator misstates the reach of the Obama tax proposal.

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Associated Press writer Douglass K. Daniel in Washington contributed to this report.

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On the Net:

Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

McCain campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com/

McCain ad "Dome": http://www.youtube.com/watch?vkjvzyFyMO-k

Comments

[milo h minderbinder]

So McCain lied about what Biden said? Should I be surprised?

Seriously, when Obama is going to raise income taxes only on people making over 250k per year and cut them for everyone else, McCain is STILL saying he's going to raise taxes on EVERYONE? Does he think people are stupid.

And far too little attention is paid to the fact that Palin raised taxes as mayor and McCain is proposing a tax increase in the form of creating a tax on health insurance you get from your job. That's potentially a HUGE increase.

[joebaggadonuts]

"Seriously, when Obama is going to raise income taxes only on people making over 250k per year and cut them for everyone else, McCain is STILL saying he's going to raise taxes on EVERYONE? Does he think people are stupid."

Yes, he does think they are either stupid or not listening attentively.

[sammy50]

Wasn't it BO who said we shld never question someone's patriotism?

Oh well, he can't help it.

[sammy50]

Wow, I thought we had passed "1984". Now redistribution of wealth is no longer socialism, its patriotism.

And speaking of taxes, how abt getting Dem. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House and Ways committee to pay his taxes

(Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is under fire over a series of recent disclosures that have some calling for him to resign from the powerful position. In July, it was revealed that Rangel was renting four rent-stablized apartments in his home district of Harlem, New York, including one he was using as a campaign office, which is illegal. (He gave up the campaign office apartment, but kept the other three.) Soon after, Rangel admitted he had used congressional stationery to set up meetings with potential donors to a new college center being named after him. Then, early this month, Rangel said he had neglected to declare $75,000 in rental income from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.)

He sure had the “Ways and Means.”

And bulletin to Joe B, BO voted for the “Bridge to Nowhere.”

[rshrink]

Thanks for the latest Limbaugh or was it Drudge update. Now we see why righties keep missing the point.

[rshrink]

This is how sammy's logic goes. The judge cannot sentence the man who killed his wife because the judge once called his wife a bad name. The sins of the Bush administration, supported by McCain, are astounding. The damage they have done to millions of people and the degree of suffering they have caused cannot even begin to be contemplated. The USA and the world is far worse off due to the likes of Bush and McCain. You mentioned Rangel "admitted.­" Do you really think Bush or McCain would ever admit to anything, in spite of having acted in ways which were catastrophic. One might keep wondering when Bush will wake up one morning and realize exactly what he has done and completely collapse under that realization.

[rshrink]

To point out a clear difference from above by sammy: This is how his logic goes. The judge cannot sentence the man who killed his wife because the judge once called his wife a bad name. The sins of the Bush administration, supported by McCain, are astounding. The damage they have done to millions of people and the degree of suffering they have caused cannot even begin to be contemplated. The USA and the world is far worse off due to the likes of Bush and McCain. You mentioned Rangel "admitted.­" Do you really think Bush or McCain would ever admit to anything, in spite of having acted in ways which were catastrophic. One might keep wondering when Bush will wake up one morning and realize exactly what he has done and completely collapse under that realization.

[Franr]

Last century, as a 'Mass-going' Catholic, I was thrilled to be able to vote for John F. Kennedy and witnessed his victory despite fears of defeat by an anti-Catholic vote. Catholic Bishops have again entered the election, as they did against John Kerry. Pennsylvania bishop reported in the Times that he may deny communion to Biden. Some of them may just be 'Rove Republicans' masquerading as Bishops. Now, rather than defeat by an anti catholic vote, Biden could lose by the Catholic anti-Catholic vote. Et tu Brute. Ora pro nobis.

[canobs]

From TaxProf Blog:

Joe Biden today released ten years of his personal income tax returns, drawing further attention to the tax issues raised by Sarah Palin’s tax problems associated with her per diem reimbursements while governor of Alaska. I wonder, though, if the move might backfire because the returns show that the Bidens have been amazingly tight-fisted when it comes to their charitable giving. Despite income ranging from $210,432 - $321,379 over the ten-year period, the Bidens have given only $120 - $995 per year to charity, which amounts to 0.06% - 0.31% of their income.

There seems to be a problem here, Joe

[joebaggadonuts]

Since when does giving to charity become a litmus test, especially when one has dedicated his working life to serving his nation and his state?

[sandiegoconservative]

It becomes a test when he asks those who use little of the resources of America to pay more in taxes to support those who use the most. And to do it time and time again. And when they do pay and support more, the only thing that changes is the amount of complining (more of it). While at the same time, Biden is one of the few that can afford to give the most, yet he choses to only want to spend others money via taxes. I have no issue with the payment of taxes and chartiy, but when is it going to be enough?

How many jobs have you had from a poor person?

How many businesses have been funded by people who have been overtaxed?

[Topfeeder]

He is in government service and his wife is a teacher. They give of themselves.

[LizM]

How do you know how much Senator Biden has given to charity? Do you think that everything that is given is included on tax returns? I know I don't include everything I give - do you?

[sandiegoconservative]

You are right! I am sure Biden wanders the streets of Delaware giving his "slave state" residents $100 bills!

[rshrink]

I would imagine that living in Washington D C is expensive and as a Senator, there would be a lot of expenses that most of us wouldn't have. He could still probably give more, but then so could most of us.

[LizM]

You do realize that Joe Biden has NEVER lived in Washington, don't you?

[texastrixie]

For someone who has been a Senator for this long, and to have only his salary and his wife's salary to live on - what's wrong with him? Where is the pay-off money, the corruption money, the extras that all elected officials collect? Oh yeah, Biden doesn't do that. He was giving to charity over the years, I think he and his wife paid for their kids to go to college.


If Biden is supposed to be your example of a bad/selfish person, you didn't have to rest of the congress to pick from . . .

[margardner]

I have a few pretty wealthy friends and family that wouldn't mind giving up a little to get this country back on track with an Obama administration. They think he's worth it!

What I loved most is when a few weeks ago, McCain was asked what it meant to him to be patriotic and he fumbled through his answer. Basically, you know what the answer was, yes, POW related.
I'm not saying I don't honor his service, however, how about those who haven't served? What are we minced meat!
I feel patriotic when I wake up in the morning and I'm inspired to volunteer at a Senior Center. Or, to go and clean up our public beaches and parks. I volunteer at a local College. Helping to make this country beautiful and clean, I feel, is like pitching in. Anyways, it makes me feel like a good American to give back with my time as a volunteer.

[nomoredead]

That is the way more people should feel margardner, if Obama was in the White House doing positive things then we should be willing to give a little extra in taxes. I f you love this country and want to fix it then its going to cost. Love it or leave it. Why do the rich want to destroy the country...­......

[SoonerThought]

Biden (one of only a handful of senators who is not a millionaire) is right. Taxes are the dues you pay to live in a civilized, (relatively) safe and progressive society such as ours. The "I got mine, so up yours" wealthy Americans need to get over themselves. Without the taxes we pay, there would be no structure for wealthy people to make money or to live their plush lifestyles. A rising tide lifts all boats, whereas a trickle down just gets you a little wet.

[GrandmaSue]

Not only do I agree with Biden, I'll take it a step further. Until the very rich can produce the numbers of children to protect our country or fight our wars in equal numbers as the rest of us they should always contribute what they have more of, and thats money. We give our children, they give their money. I'd say they're getting the much better end of the deal.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

This is silly. Two days ago we had my parenyts over for dinner and talked about the election. My parents are retired fixed income, bluecollar-types. My spouse and I are white-collar professionals with a combined income of about $250K. Our conclusions? Stuff costs money and instead of expecting manna to flow from the heavens or taxing struggling families, those of us who can afford it should step up (and human nature being me-me-me these days vs. actual country first)

Freakin sound bite culture.

[Jabo22]

Agreed! Ask your parents if they recall that period in our history when paying your taxes was patriotic. Remember the line from the movies " I'm a tax payer and deserve my rights".

Anyway, it's good to see someone else think about others,unlike the GO-Me, I mean GOP.
The GOP is very caring when it comes to bailing out entities of their rich friends but expects we the people to pick ourselves up from the bootstraps.

How convenient of a brainwash this is and unfortunately there is an entire generation that has fallen for this Me Me first mentality.

[sammy50]

I'm for it! Start with Babs and her friends.

[Califconserve]

Yeah, what a bunch of morons. With any luck, an earthquack with slide Hollywood into the ocean.

[zippy the cow]

The media plays it up, like Hollywood celebrities are the richest people in the world, but you have to realize that the wealth in Hollywood is dwarfed a thousand times over by the hedge fund managers, CEOs, investors, people born with a billion dollars in their back pocket.

That is, the people who are REALLY rich, i.e. the original Republican constituency before they welded on religious fanatics and other groups to gain vote share.

[sammy50]

Hey. BO says if ya make 250K a year, you are rich.

[freedog]

This is fantastic along with the "I don't support clean coal" comment which is sure to go over well in Minnesota.­..yes, they do have a clean coal industry, coupled with his socialist comments, and the bush's socialistic policies to bail every industry out, is sure to play in mccains favor.

Let the markets adjust, get rid of wasteful spending, reduce congress to 2 seats per state, get rid of every socialist program our goverment spends money on, and pass an national defense bill that prevents environmentalist from creating energy independence and massive job loss in this country. At this point, a spotte owl or caribou IS NOT more important than the welfare of my family. LEFT, get your priorities in order.

[whit4brains]

You know what animal I'd like to see on the endangered species act...free­dog!

[Califconserve]

If you get rid of social programs, OBAMA won't have a focus, won't have reason to increase taxes on the wealthy and middle class, will have no connection to his base of support; i.e. groups that have subsisted on govm't social programs for years, and will have no reason to increase the big brother aspect of government.

[JSquercia]

Califconserve Speaking of Social Programs WHAT do YOU call the recent bailouts that have Socialized Risk After the PROFITS had been PRIVATIZED . Oh yes Todays news that rallied the Market is the idea that the Government will take all those bad Loans off the hands of all Those Banks and Investment Houses . Guess who gets to take on all that Bad Paper ?

[WilliamL]

Hey, I have an idea, lets eliminate ALL socialist "programs" and lets see how long tough guys such as freedog wd. survive. You know, those silly social programs suchs as the police, fire department, and even the military. Then all the freedogs in this country can show the rest of us how independent and self sufficient you trully are.

Of course, you wd. have to carry your own weapons, protect your family from fire, thieve, pedophile, rapists, and other animals in society. We wd. all have to participate in military actions both domestic and foriegn...­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.....

Freedogs of the country seem to fail to recognize that those little things such as spotted ows, caribou and so forth are simply canarys in the coal mind-as species continue to drop off the planet so soon will animals such as freedogs.

It gets uglier and uglier everyday.

[rshrink]

So, apparently you think you are more important than an owl? Can you prove it?

[mccainisastain]

http://myrealitytelevision.com/2008/09/obama-versus-mccain-on-natural-resources-fossil-fuels-part-2/

[bluprojekt]

And once again the FUD spin machine of the repugs is grasping at straws - pathetic..­.

And if I hear the "I'm John McCain and I approved this message" for this ad - I will have no respect left for the man.

"Now Go Away or I Will Taunt You a Second Time."

[Memnoch]

Ugh. Don't know if paraphrasing socialism is the right message to voters. I think they'd be better off saying that the wealthy should never have received those Bush Tax Cuts in the first place, as they haven't done much good.

[RedKnuckles]

My Comcast homepage has this headline:

"Biden: Paying higher taxes is patriotic"

Notice how they left "wealthy" out of the equation to mislead and frighten the public. Republican creeps....

[browncupid]

RedKnuckles, i just noticed the same thing on the comcast homepage. everytime that BO has a few really good days in the polls and with public opion, the MSM try to manufacture a scandal that will have them trying to defend some silly thing. He may not have phrased in a way that people with short attention spans can understand but, he meant that people who make a lot more do want to help out those of us who can't financially advance. I am so tired of this Republican partisan stuff!