Flashback: In 2000, McCain said there is ‘nothing wrong’ with the wealthy paying ’somewhat more’ taxes.
Flashback: In 2000, McCain said there is ‘nothing wrong’ with the wealthy paying ’somewhat more’ taxes.
At an October 2000 town hall on MSNBC’s Hardball, an audience member asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) about why the rich pay higher taxes than the middle class. McCain defended progressive taxation, stating, “I think it’s to some degree because we feel, obviously, that wealthy people can afford more”:
[T]he very wealthy, because they can afford tax lawyers and all kinds of loopholes, really don’t pay nearly as much as you think they do when you just look at the percentages. [...]
So, look, here’s what I really believe, that when you are — reach a certain level of comfort, there’s nothing wrong with paying somewhat more. … And frankly, I think the first people who deserve a tax cut are working Americans with children that need to educate their children, and they’re the ones that I would support tax cuts for first.
Watch it:
McCain’s tax plan delivers almost half its benefits to the top 1 percent of taxpayers, and gives the top 0.1 percent a $1 million tax cut. “Oh, yes, sure, the wealthy, the wealthy. Always be interested in when people talk about who the, quote, ‘wealthy’ are in America,” mocked McCain in February when asked about his pro-rich tax plan.
Transcript:
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi. Since I’ve been studying politics, I’ve had
this question that I’ve never fully understand. Why is it that someone
like my father, who goes to school for 13 years, gets penalized in a
huge tax bracket because he’s a doctor? Why is that — why does he
have to pay higher taxes than everybody else, just because he makes
more money? Why — how is that fair?MATTHEWS: You mean…
MCCAIN: I think your question — questioning the fundamentals of a
progressive tax system where people who make more money pay more in
taxes than a flat, across-the-board percentage. I think it’s to some
degree because we feel, obviously, that wealthy people can afford
more. We have over the years, beginning with John F. Kennedy, reduced
some of those marginal tax rates to make them less onerous.But I believe that when you really look at the tax code today, the
very wealthy, because they can afford tax lawyers and all kinds of
loopholes, really don’t pay nearly as much as you think they do when
you just look at the percentages. And I think middle-income Americans,
working Americans, when the account and payroll taxes, sales taxes,
mortgage pay — all of the taxes that working Americans pay, I think
they — you would think that they also deserve significant relief, in
my view…MATTHEWS: How many — how many people here believe that the people who
made the highest level of incomes in this country should pay a higher
percentage of their income in taxes?Miss, do you want to follow up? Miss, do you want to follow up, do you
want to follow up, do you want to follow up? Go ahead.MCCAIN: Do you want to follow up? Please…
MATTHEWS: Go ahead, please, go ahead.
MCCAIN: … you were dissatisfied with Chris’s comment, I could tell.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I still don’t see how the — how that’s fair.
Isn’t the definition of slavery basically where you work and all your
money goes? I’m not saying this is slavery, I’m saying that isn’t the
defin — are we getting closer and closer to, like, socialism and
stuff, when you have — you have some people paying 60 percent overall
in a year of their money to taxes. That’s their money, not the
government’s. How is that fair? I haven’t understood it.MCCAIN: Could I point out, one of the fundamentals of a town hall
meeting is, we respect the views of others, and let them speak. So,
look, here’s what I really believe, that when you are — reach a
certain level of comfort, there’s nothing wrong with paying somewhat
more. But at the same time, that shouldn’t be totally out of
proportion. There’s some countries such as Sweden where it doesn’t pay
anything to work more than six months a year. That’s probably the
extreme.But I think the debate in this country is more about tax cuts rather
than anything else. And frankly, I think the first people who deserve
a tax cut are working Americans with children that need to educate
their children, and they’re the ones that I would support tax cuts for
first.
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What a socialist Grampy McSame used to be……
Good thing he flip-flopped.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pmAh, nice. Good find. They also used a clip from this on The Daily Show last night.
Can you believe these Republican socialists trying to take over our country?
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pmGuess John didn’t get his asking price when he sold his soul to the devil in order to become president. He now needs bigger tax cuts to make up for the bargain basement price Satan was willing to pay.
Another bad gamble, Johnny!
PEACE
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pmSucking Focialist.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pmWell McCain lost the primaries in 2000 running as a socialist Republican . So he realized to win he had to turn coat and run as a classic taxcutting red baiting Republican
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pmBet that little snot is a republican tool today.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:34 pmOh, what a difference eight years makes…
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pmIt is so apparent the interests the party is beholden, many seemingly contradictory.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pmCheck out this article in NY Times magazine.
The Making (and Remaking) of McCain
a great piece of journalism describing in detail how Palin was picked, and dissecting the republican train wreck that is the McIIIrd/BullTwinkle campaign.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pmObama has the money, now he needs to use this obvious, low-handing fruit fodder for ADS!!! I am still waiting to see mass-playing of McCain bragging about voting with Bush 90% of the time.
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pmThat was “then”, this is “now”. Back then he had to run against the RW, and needed differentiation. Now he needs to suck up to them, and he’s ever an opportunist (spelled “h” “y” “p” “o” “c” “r” “i” “t” “e”).
Cheers,
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 pmNew McCain cologne for men: The Scent of Desperation
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pmIt’s just the latest buzz word from the McCain camp to denigrate anything that would help the middle class and the poor.
A solid government takes care of all of its people. Those who make more must pay more into the system in order for all people to thrive. Why that is anathema to the RNC and the McCain group should be appalling to anyone who believes in keeping a nation strong and cohesive.
They continue to believe that welfare for the multi-millionaire CEOs, WallStreet brokers and Bankers is not socialism, but Medicare and Social Security which benefit the poor and middle class are the dreaded “socialism.”
McCain has become a soulless man now, lying, hypocritical and mean-spirited.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 pmWell of course McCain changed his mind. Once he saw how the Bush tax cuts saved he and Cindy millions of dollars, he decided that, like most multi-millionaires, he doesn’t give a rat’s ass if the country goes bankrupt.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pmThe GOP mantra for 2008:
Tax cuts for the richest 5%= Free Market Capitalism
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:26 pmTax cuts for the lower 95%= Socialism
Dayum!!! That socialist barstid!!!!
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 pmIt always mystifies me that rich folks are happy get vastly overcharged for luxury cars, dresses, hotels, private schools for their kids, country club fees, personal trainers fees, interiior decorators–and scream bloody murder if their tax bill goes up.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pmI think it’s because we don’t do it while telling them how wonderful they are.
I have a great idea:
Instead of calling it a ‘tax bracket’, let’s tell them they now have an “World-Class Executive Platinum IRS Membership”!
They get
• a special engraved World-Platinum card designed by Jhane Barnes
• their own ”Personal IRS Liaison”
• Access to the “World Class Club” wiminibar, WiFi and big screen TV
* Invitation to the exclusive ‘An Evening with the IRS’ where they’ll get to hobnob with such celebrities as Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, Barry Bonds, Lindsey Lohan, and others don community service. Entertainment: Ruben Stddard.
They should flock to it!
And they’ll get an engraved invitation to join the ‘Special Reserve World Class Executive IRS club, with a personal note signed by Warren Buffett!
But not a bone-crushing 3!!!!! per!!!!! cent!!!!!
Don’t worry, patriotic fake plumbers, Thurston and Lovie will still be able to afford imported baby onions for their cocktails at the club.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pmI like Past McCain so much better.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 pmSince the only capital gains are in dividends this year, why should the wealthy be concerned about the capital gains taz rate at all? Shouldn’t they be more concerned that 40% of all equity in the world has vanished in the last fortythree days? That has drained more value from their portfolios then all taxes they will ever pay in their lifetimes.
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 pmIf a 36% top marginal rate represents “socialism” while a 33% top marginal rate is “capitalism,” I’d like to know where the cutoff was. Somewhere between 33 and 36 we went socialist and we should find out exactly where the number is and, evidently, avoid it at all costs.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:19 pmI also love the way conservatives pretend not to notice payroll taxes with their “how can you give a tax break to someone who pays no taxes” mantra… especially now that they took the Social Security money paid into the system by working people and literally gave it to the top 1% in tax cuts.
Evidently, if redistribution of wealth is upward and concentrated in a small percentage of wealthy people, it’s okay with conservatives.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pmRemember everyone. Clinton raised the top marginal rate by 3.5%. Republicans warned that this would cause a serious recession or possibly a depression – and, of course, they were right – we all had to go through the great depression of the 90’s with its booming employment, decreasing poverty, decreasing abortion rates and exploding markets.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 pmMore here (excuse the source)
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pmhttp://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24421
What a panderer. He compromised everything for nothing. He seems to think we have no minds and will take his word and forget the facts.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 am