Palin: Obama's Tax Plans Could Mean Nightmare Communist State

Sarah Palin had a few memorable moments during her campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday. But the most eye-opening of them all came, it would appear, when the Alaska Governor somehow drew a connection between Barack Obama's tax policy and an encroaching, nightmarish, communist government. The Illinois Democrat, she hysterically suggested, would, through his proposals, create a country "where the people are not free."

"See, under a big government, more tax agenda, what you thought was yours would really start belonging to somebody else, to everybody else. If you thought your income, your property, your inventory, your investments were, were yours, they would really collectively belong to everybody. Obama, Barack Obama has an ideological commitment to higher taxes, and I say this based on his record... Higher taxes, more government, misusing the power to tax leads to government moving into the role of some believing that government then has to take care of us. And government kind of moving into the role as the other half of our family, making decisions for us. Now, they do this in other countries where the people are not free. Let us fight for what is right. John McCain and I, we will put our trust in you."

That yarn goes well beyond what Palin and McCain have, to this point, been comfortable asserting: mainly that Obama is proposing economic socialism. But there are a few things to keep in mind here: the McCain-Palin ticket does not oppose a progressive tax system. In fact, back in 2000, the Arizona Republican said rich people paid more in taxes because they could afford to do so.

"I think the first people who deserve a tax cut are working Americans with children that need to educate their children," he said, "and they're the ones that I would support tax cuts for first."

More importantly, Obama's tax plans are less progressive than those in place during the Clinton years. In fact, the rates that people making over $250,000 would have to pay would be the same as during the 1990s -- a time definitely not marked by the absence of freedoms.

Comments

[Alexey]

I don’t understand how people can take her seriously? It is NOT staged reality TV show – it is REALITY!!! 72 years old as President and ignorant, clueless, uneducated person Vice President (one step from been President of the USofA) – simple dangerous not only of all of us in the US, it is dangerous for entire planet – without thinking to much, she told ABC News' Charles Gibson - war may be necessary if Russia invades another country. War with Russia? With all Russian nuclear arsenal? Are you #$%%^& suicidal? This is ONLY one answer should disqualify her from ANY government positions.

If McCain-Palin wins – we will think George W. Bush was a good President. United States will be United Nightmare State of America. And I am not kidding! Sorry.

[Geranium]

Better that then The United Soviet States of America. At least one wakes up from a nightmare.

[Alexey]

At least in the Soviet Union church was separated form government, here people like Rep. Michele Bachmann will reign. Nightmare will be life long.
Just too depressing to think about it...

[Debbie1996]

But you're not concerned that the President of France, Sarkozy views Obama stance on Iran as 'utterly immature'
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1031943.html

[FellowMan]

I thought conservatives didn't care what France or those other "sissy" nations in Europe care or say about us...

[geedafotus]

It's amazing before Sarah Palin was nominated the Obama campaign said inexperience didn't make any difference. Now that Palin is campaigning and has more executive experience than Obama it's suddenly an issue that she's inexperienced. Go Figure

[JohnnySouthside]

McCain/Palin are definitely running a conservative campaign. They use the cheapest ingredient, denigrating the opponent. What they don't say is how America would really be if John the DeRegulator wins. Polluted air and water because they will remove needed regulations. More financial crises than we can currently imagine because they will remove necessary regulations. It is a shame that not all Americans can be trusted to operate a business ethically, thus the need for regulation.

I saw McCain today slam Obama for wanting to burden us with big government via domestic spending programs, he calls it redistribution. He then praised big government as it pertains to the War in Iraq, promising to stay until victory, in a country we need not have invaded to begin with!

[Alexey]

Obviously McCain is not “current affairs” guy. We already lost this war: This summer Iraqi told US to set up timeline to withdraw our troops, they also told “it is time for British troops to leave the country because they are no longer necessary for security and control.” Iraq’s Government has signed $3 billion contract with Chinese.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/08/30/iraq.china.oil.deal/index.html

What kind of victory McCain was talking about?

[geedafotus]

The Democrats are actually responsible for the present economic meltdown. McCain actually tried to stop the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac problem with with bills that the Democracts rejected. So don't try and blame that on the Republicans because there is to much evidence to the contrary.

[ballyhoobutton]

Taxes aside I'd like to point out this gem "...government kind of moving into the role as the other half of our family, making decisions for us". McCain and Palin would like nothing more than to ban gay marriage and overturn Roe v. Wade. I'm pretty sure that constitutes a goverment making decisions for us.

[sasidechick]

I'm with you. For a long time, I could not figure out how they want government out of people's lives, but they want to tell you who you sleep with and how many children you must have in the event you become pregnant. You would think they would be for social programs to help the poor, (like Jesus' teachings) but they rail against them. They preach pro-life but are for the death penalty.

They make me dizzy for all the exceptions to their rules!!

[geedafotus]

You don't listen very well.....They think abortion rights should be left up to the states not the Federal government.. Ever here of "States Rights"?

[AlexP1]

The Anchorage Daily News has some video of the joint appearance. (Stevens indicted later that month.)

Palin joined Stevens in rolling out his energy plan for Alaska, but the paper's reporters repeatedly questioned the two about their relationship.

Didn't Stevens mind that Palin had publicly called on Stevens to explain himself after FBI agents raided his Alaska home last September? No, Stevens said, he hadn't taken "umbrage."

What about her criticism of some of his earmarks? He said; the state has required earmarks in its "period of need," but greater oil revenue should put an end to that.

As for Palin, she sidestepped questions about whether she would endorse Stevens, but made clear there was no bad blood between them:

"I have great respect for the senator and he needs to be heard across America -- his voice, his experience, his passion, needs to be heard across America so that Alaska can contribute more, so that we can be producers, so that we can help lead the rest of the U.S. I have great respect for him. There's a big difference between reality and perception regarding our relationship."

This is what CONVICTED ON 7 Counts Senator Ted Steven likes about peeeuuu Palin...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nTX-oJUCaU

...Peeeuuu Palin did not need new clothes or makeup...what she really needed is a fragrance consultant because the peeeuuu Palin/McCaint campaign smells...

And for ALL of the lies from peeeuuu Palin go to......

http://dailysource.org/palinvideos

[luckyrico1]

Only one more week until we no longer have to listen to her grating voice and hysterical cries of "commies and socialists". One week is a long time to listen to a nut-case like her and her nut-case followers.

Sarah, pack your bags and get your poor little kids back in school. America is not the "America" you see. The real America are made up of mostly rational people who honestly know that when the bills start coming in after a spending spree, somebody is going to have to pay for them. And yes, Sarah, those bills are going to be paid by raising taxes on those who got the biggest tax-breaks over the last 8 years.

While the Democrats get blamed for the "Tax and Spend", the Republicans are the
" SPEND AND SPEND" and let the next two or three generations worry about why our country can't afford roads, schools, social security, hospitals and healthcare.

[Debbie1996]

I think it would be illuminating to compare tax policies under Bush, Clinton and a proposed Obama presidency, for for Married couples filing jointly you can see that Bush made the tax system more progressive - ie not only did the wealthy get a tax break, but ever income level paid lower taxes than under Clinton:
2008 1998
0-16,050 - 10%
16,050 - 65,100 - 15% 0- 42,350 - 15%
65,100 - 131,450 25%
131,450 - 200,300 - 28% 42,350 - 102,300 - 28%
102,300 - 155,950 -31%
200,300 - 357,700 - 33%
357,700+ 35% 155,950 - 278,450 36%
278,450+ 39.6%

The result of this was that the bottom to quintiles now pay no taxes - by reinstating the top bracket under Clinton and giving a tax cut to people who aren't paying income taxes - Obama is proposing to not only a progressive tax system - but a step to close to socialism for my piece of mind. If Obama would like to propose going back to the Clinton tax system and use the additional revenue to pay off the national debt - I would think it's a reasonable progressive system, but a horrible time as you don't raise taxes during a recession.

[Debbie1996]

Well that chart was horrifically difficult to read - let me try again:
2008 - Bush
0-16,050 - 10%
16,050 - 65,100 - 15%
65,100 - 131,450 25%
131,450 - 200,300 - 28%
200,300 - 357,700 - 33%
357,700+ 35%

1998 - Clinton
0- 42,350 - 15%
42,350 - 102,300 - 28%
102,300 - 155,950 -31%
155,950 - 278,450 36%
278,450+ 39.6%

[rmc53x]

Alright, debbie1996.

a step away from a Neocon Oligarchy is a step towards Socialism?
Seems logical...
as a step away from the Atlantic is a step towards the Pacific.

and "you don't raise taxes during a recession" ??. Is that a rule?
there used to be another "rule"...America has never CUT taxes in a time of war... until Bush.

[Debbie1996]

Not raising taxes during a recession is sort of a rule - I encourage you to study economic theory and the great depression - taking money away from people during rough times, particularly in a consumer driven economy during ours, is a recipe for a much bigger and deeper recession. And by the way I agree with your second point -

[JSquercia]

Do you know what the top tax rates were under Eisenhower . They were 91% . I believe that Kennedy cut it to 74 % and Reagan cut them to 50% .
I for one would welcome a government such as the Europeans have which in many instances is called Democratic Socialism . In the Scandanaian countries they provide free health care , free college , extended family leaves .

[Debbie1996]

Yes I am aware that tax rates were 91% following WWII and FYI Kennedy cut them to 70% and Reagan first cut them to 50% and then to 28%. Then Bush the first raised them to 31% and Clinton raised them to 39.6% Beyond a fascinating walk through history - I am interested in a tax system that while progressive, doesn't send checks to huge portions of the population that don't pay income taxes.

[archtoplee]

The quadrennial presidential campaigning is making voters’ hair stand up in the back of their neck. "Liberals" see demons on the "right" and "conservatives see them of the "left."
Both camps seek to “capitalize” on the mounting fear by Americans.

Mr. Stein says that a McCain "does not oppose a progressive tax system.” Then why all of the dread among liberal democrats who like all things “progressive?” Little has been said by senators Obama and Biden regarding a restoration of our civil liberties, and reining in of the “unitary president.” Both embrace a continuation of an interventionist foreign policy, which essentially is a foreign policy of policing the world, so how is the “no more war” thinking among the Obama-crats any different than one under "W?"

If every Halloween the children opened their trick or treat bags and every door they came to the owners dropped in the same kind of terrible tasting and boring candy the children would stop trick or treating.
Why can't Dems & Repubs see the “trick” being played on them every four years? Every four years they offer the same junky, socialistic promoting, war mongering, big government politicians! You would think that grown-ups would be as smart as children and not bother with the "choices" they have been offered from the same old stinky CFR, (Council on Foreign Relations), organization that puts out the same product every four years.

[LemonMeringue]

McCain's plans include taxing the health insurance that my employer provides me.

Obama wants to cut my taxes.

It is not a hard choice, even from a purely selfish economic view.

[Debbie1996]

McCain wants to give you a tax credit to offset taxing the health insurance.

If you want Obama to raise taxes on other American's to buy your vote - I suppose you're too selfish to have a dialogue with.

[sickupandfed]

McCain and Palin should finally do the right thing: use the remaining campaign finance money to buy up some bad mortgages and save their breath. They're hoping no one's looking at the fact that the government has a stake in many banks and a whole lotta debt. Smack of socialism, anyone?

Once again, they and their supporters are the only ones who don't realize the reality train has already stopped there, and they still aren't on it.

[FreedomtoSpeak]

Lots of talk about tax cuts, but no mention from the candidates about WHEN this will be activated...within the first year? the first six months? If any lawmaker tells me "it's too complex to handle right away" I'll direct them to the stimulus checks rollout, and the lightning speed we got that 700B cash bailout for financial centers.

Would either ticket agree to tell us WHEN the cuts would be implemented?

Also, the billions being spent in Iraq: I think it's unrealistic to believe most of those $$ will come back into the domestic budget soon, because Afghanistan and Pakistan are looming crises. Same issue for the troop deployment. Some troops will come home, but isn't there supposed to be a build-up in Afghanistan?

Why aren't we talking more about these real decisions -- tough decisions -- that must be made?

Would either ticket agree to impose a moratorium on any pay increases for members of congress and the legislative branch UNTIL some of the major campaign promises on the economy are accomplished? Why haven't any of them stepped forward to volunteer? Wouldn't that be "patriotic"?

I am a heavy consumer of various media outlets. During this campaign I've seen/heard VERY LITTLE focused reporting on these few issues I've mentioned here. There are many others too!

What do we hear? We are fed stuff about who bought what outfit, unrepentant terrorists, DIVA, etc... I'd appreciate more specifics about what will be done, and what is the TIMETABLE?

Thanks.

[LindyLee]

This Obama charge is a blatant mischaracterization of the McCain Health Plan. It only focuses on the fact that the value of the employer provided insurance will now show up as additional income for the employees - what he fails to mention - is that John McCain's generous refundable tax credit ($5,000 for families and $2,500 for individuals) will not only shield millions of families from a tax increase but will actually give them MORE dollars to invest in their health care needs.

The McCain Plan DOES NOT tax:

Premiums paid by families and individuals


Employers for providing health care coverage


Medical expenses like the cost of a procedure or medication


Insurance claims

Approach Supported By Obama's Own Advisor: This is an approach supported by Barack Obama's own Senior Economic Advisor Jason Furman who wrote that "we could scrap the current deduction altogether and replace it with progressive tax credits that, together with other changes, would ensure that every American has affordable health insurance."

Better Than "Members of Congress": Under the McCain Plan, your employer can provide you with health insurance as good as a "Member of Congress" (approximately $12,000), and you would pay no more in taxes - regardless of your tax bracket. In fact, you would have additional money left over from the McCain tax credit to put in a health savings account.

[LemonMeringue]

Good God, is it ok with you that McCain's plan taxes

ME

for the portion of my health insurance that my employer pays for?

In most cases that employer-paid portion is more than the high premiums I pay myself.

McCain's brand of socialism is not at all to my liking.

[Debbie1996]

What part of the tax credit to offset taxes has you befuddled?

[Malsie]

You got it! I was scratching my head as where she would be best suited. There you go!!

[Gronamox]

When Palin is finally finished politically on Nov. 4th, what a blessed day that will be. She has been invited to live in Russia by none other than a pilot who flies Aeroflot vodka runs everyday over Anchorage.

[PitbullCatcher]

McCain is wasting it’s time on this “ SPREADING THE WEALTH” issue. Here is the reason why. In American government we ALREADY mix socialism with capitalism to get the our needs accomplished as a nation. People…socialism is not a new word for this country. It’s all about how you spin it. If you attach socialism it to a crooked nation or deceitful person it sounds bad. If you get a SOCIAL security check it sounds good.

Socialism - general term for the political and economic theory that advocates a system of collective or government ownership and management of the means of production and distribution of goods. Because of the collective nature of socialism, it is to be contrasted to the doctrine of the sanctity of private property that characterizes capitalism. Where capitalism stresses competition and profit.

HERE ARE SOME OF AMERICA’S SOCIALIST PROGRAMS THAT SPREADS THE NATION’S WEALTH AROUND.


Government Worker Programs
Civil Service Retirement Systems
Federal Employee Retirement Systems
Railroad Retirement System

Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Programs
Public Housing
Rental Vouchers & Certificates
Section 8 Housing Vouchers
Shelter Plus Care
Single Room Occupancy
Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Social Security Programs
Social Security (OASDI)
Unemployment Insurance
Temporary Disability Insurance
Medicare
Medicaid
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

Welfare Programs
Supplemental Security Income
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Food Stamp Program
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Taxes

That 700 Billion bailout package

[Debbie1996]

First off Taxes aren't supposed to be about "spreading the wealth around" they are supposed to be about funding essential services that benefit Americans. While it's true that in the modern era we have supported a progressive tax system that results in higher income American's paying a higher percentage of their income for these service and we have supported government programs that support the less fortunate - we haven't yet become comfortable with millions of working Americans receiving tax checks in excess to their contributions paid for by raising taxes on the wealthy.

[Artemis34]

You are so right. And most conservatives don't even realize how much they take advantage of these programs, like driving on the interstate.

See a day in the life of Joe Conservative (rather than Joe the plumber):

http://rationalwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Essay:A_Day_In_The_Life_of_Joe_Conservative

[jaslyn]

Someone PLEASE give this woman a job on QVC!!!! That annoying voice, that slit your wrists accent, those stupid aw gawshes belong on QVC where you can change the channel when she comes on.

[nmjangirl]

No!!! Don't ruin QVC, put her on Faux noise where she belongs

[buffyjones]

Your rational appeal against Palin should surely convince many to agree w/ you