TAX
CUTS
|
George
W. Bush (R): |
Bush
will speed up the 2001 tax cuts to increase the pace of economic
recovery
and job creation. He wants to provide more dividend and capital
gains tax relief and give small businesses incentives to grow.
(From www.georgewbush.com) |
| Wesley
Clark (D): |
“I believe that to restore economic strength,
we must act together under the banner of New American Patriotism
-- putting our economy first above private interests, putting
our country first above private gain, putting our country
first for the sake of our grandchildren.” (Quoted on
www.clark04.com) |
| Howard
Dean (D): |
“Dean would repeal the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Bush
tax cuts, which would include the estate tax. Gov. Dean urges
repealing all the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. The U.S. is
in desperate need of fiscal discipline.” (Dean spokeswoman
Clare Gannon, Nov. 16, 2003) |
| John
Edwards (D): |
“Edwards supports repealing the Bush
tax cuts that benefit only the top 2 percent of Americans,
including the new top two tax rates on income,
and the new rates on income from dividends and capital gains for the wealthiest
2 percent of Americans. Only those earning about $240,000 or more are in the
top two income tax brackets. In addition, Edwards will retain the tax on very
large estates, since we can’t afford to repeal the estate tax given our
current deficit situation.” (Edwards spokeswoman Kim Rubey, Nov. 11, 2003)
“Bush is engaging in a war on work.” (Edwards spokesman Patrick Dillon,
Nov. 13, 2003) |
| Dick
Gephardt (D): |
“Gephardt
wants to get rid of all of the Bush tax cuts because
they have failed and you don’t just get rid of one part of a completely
flawed program. He will use that money to get health insurance to every single
American that can never be taken away. His plan will put $2,000 to $3,000 in
the average American family’s pocket, as opposed to the Bush tax cut, which
is only good for between $500 and $600. His plan will insure every American,
grow our economy and create jobs.” (Gephardt spokesman Bill Burton, Nov.
11, 2003)
“Our country has record budget surpluses and an economy with seemingly
limitless potential for growth, but the prosperity of our country ended when
President Bush took office. Since then, more than 3 million jobs have disappeared.” (Quoted on www.dickgephardt2004.com) |
| John
Kerry (D): |
“Kerry supports rolling back the tax cuts to
the wealthiest Americans. He believes that the weight of
the tax burden should not be placed
on the backs of the middle class. Therefore he supports the tax cuts to the middle
class, the preservation of the child tax credit and enactment of a ‘college
opportunity’ tax credit to students and middle class families.” (Kerry
spokeswoman Laura Capps, Nov. 18, 2003)
“My priority is to middle class families who are working hard to cover
the mortgages, pay the high cost of health care, child care and tuition, or just
trying to get ahead.” (Quoted on www.johnkerry.com) |
| Dennis
Kucinich (D): |
“The
president’s ‘leave-no-billionaire-behind’ tax
cut to the wealthy will do nothing to help the average citizen.” (Kucinich
campaign spokeswoman Melissa Adams, Nov. 12, 2003)
“Kucinich would repeal all of President Bush's tax cuts to the wealthy.
That includes restoring the top two and a half income brackets. That does not
include restoring the marriage penalty or undoing the child tax credit. Yes,
he would bring back the estate tax, though with some modifications. Multiple
taxation could describe many situations, including the payroll taxes and income
taxes that apply to every hour of work most Americans do, but not much of the
income of the wealthiest.” (Kucinich spokesman David Swanson, Nov. 14,
2003) |
| Joe Lieberman (D): |
“We
need a fresh start on meeting our fiscal responsibilities
and moral obligations agenda for helping small businesses,
which would create jobs by reviving business investment,
lowering health care costs, improving access to capital and
providing tax incentives to stimulate growth.” (Quoted
on
www.joe2004.com) |
| Carol
Moseley Braun (D): |
“This is a jobless economy that has no dramatic results.” (Moseley
Braun policy spokesman Scott Waguestock, Nov. 12, 2003) |
| Al
Sharpton (D): |
A statement
on tax cuts could not be obtained from the Sharpton campaign
staff. |
E-mail
Sara Faiwell at sara-faiwell@uiowa.edu and Crystal Higgins
at crystal-higgins@uiowa.edu
|
