Tax Reform: 2008 contenders' views

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Chuck Baldwin on Tax Reform

Constitution Party nominee for President; Reform Party nominee in several states

Click here for 5 full quotes by Chuck Baldwin OR click here for Chuck Baldwin on other issues.

10% tax on all imports into the US, and no other tax. (Jul 2008)
End income tax, death tax, and property tax. (May 2008)
Repeal the 16th amendment; no income tax & no sales tax. (May 2008)
Overturn Sixteenth Amendment; no income tax; no sales tax. (May 2008)
Repeal the "death tax" & property taxes. (May 2008)

Bob Barr on Tax Reform

Libertarian nominee for President; Former Republican Representative (GA-7)

Click here for 12 full quotes by Bob Barr OR click here for Bob Barr on other issues.

New tax revolt: both reduce and simplify taxes. (Jun 2008)
Lower taxes by dramatically cutting back size of government. (May 2008)
The FairTax replaces the IRS plus payroll taxes. (Apr 2008)
Repeal the 16th amendment & eliminate the income tax. (Apr 2008)
Voted YES on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted YES on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
Reduce the capital gains tax . (Jan 2001)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Repeal marriage tax; cut middle class taxes. (Sep 1994)

Joe Biden on Tax Reform

Democratic Sr Senator (DE); nominee for Vice President

Click here for 24 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

Middle class is U.S. economic engine and needs tax cuts. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: McCain did not vote with Obama on tax increase. (Oct 2008)
Save $150 billion in tax cuts for people who don't need them. (Dec 2007)
Take away $85B in annual tax cuts for 1% of top earners. (Jul 2007)
FactCheck: Top 1% only got $67B in 2007 tax cuts, not $85B. (Jul 2007)
Eliminate the tax cut just for those people in the top 1%. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 15% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Alan Keyes on Tax Reform

American Independent nominee for President; 2004 Republican challenger for IL Senate

Click here for 16 full quotes by Alan Keyes OR click here for 5 older headlines OR click here for Alan Keyes on other issues.

FairTax turns off spigot that funds political ambitions. (Dec 2007)
Income tax is a failed socialist experiment. (Oct 2007)
Replace income tax with a national sales tax. (Oct 2007)
Income tax exemptions for descendants of black slaves. (Sep 2004)
Income tax is a failed socialist experiment. (Aug 2004)
Sales tax is more progressive than income tax. (Aug 2004)
Abolish the income tax and spend money responsibly. (Jan 2000)
Sales tax gives control back to people. (Dec 1999)
Wrong to pay income taxes before basic necessities. (Dec 1999)
Forbes� plan leaves IRS, and an invasive tax, intact. (Dec 1999)
Forbes� plan still requires people to beg for tax cuts. (Dec 1999)
Replace income tax with tariffs & duties. (Oct 1999)
Income tax is Marxist control of entire economy. (Oct 1999)
Against flat tax -- a distraction for abolishing income tax. (Jan 1999)
Excise taxes allow citizens to control tax rate themselves. (Apr 1998)
�Soak the rich� schemes have socialist objectives. (May 1996)

Gloria La Riva on Tax Reform

Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee for President

Click here for Gloria La Riva on other issues.

No stance on record.

John McCain on Tax Reform

Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)

Click here for 61 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for 10 older headlines OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

Keep tax rates the same; let's not raise anybody's taxes. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: Obama voted for taxes 76 times, not 94 times. (Oct 2008)
Worst thing in bad economic climate is to raise taxes. (Sep 2008)
Double the child tax exemption from $3,500 to $7,000. (Sep 2008)
FactCheck: $7,000-per-child tax EXEMPTION, not tax CREDIT. (Aug 2008)
Double the personal tax exemption for every dependent. (Jul 2008)
Terrible mistake to raise taxes during an economic downturn. (Jun 2008)
Veto any tax increase; worst thing now is to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
2001: tax package with spending restraint, against Bush cuts. (Feb 2008)
Require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes. (Feb 2008)
FactCheck: Against Bush tax cuts in 2003; for them in 2006. (Jan 2008)
Romney raising fees a quarter-billion dollars is a tax hike. (Jan 2008)
Opposed to the Bush tax cuts as spending got out of control. (Jan 2008)
Supported Reagan tax cuts because matched by spending cuts. (Jan 2008)
Reform the tax code that nobody trusts and believes in. (Dec 2007)
We need a simpler, fairer tax code, but not FairTax. (Nov 2007)
Tax system is fair; wealthy pay bulk of taxes. (Oct 2007)
Won't sign no-tax pledge; focus on cutting spending. (Sep 2007)
Make tax reform commission & vote yes-or-no on outcome. (Aug 2007)
FactCheck: Families spend $20B on tax prep, not $140B. (Aug 2007)
Opposed Bush tax cuts, but must extend them now. (May 2007)
New tax cuts account for contingencies and over-spending. (May 2007)
Alternative minimum tax is eating Americans alive. (May 2007)
Bush tax cuts fiscally reckless & favored rich;but keep them. (Apr 2007)
Consistent on focusing tax cuts more toward middle class. (May 2002)
Tax plan: $238B over 5 years; $500B over 10 years. (Feb 2000)
Double child tax credit; add family incentives. (Feb 2000)
�Balanced approach�, and starts a flat tax system. (Feb 2000)
Reagan Republican: simplify taxes; cut waste. (Feb 2000)
Big money interests fear closing loopholes. (Jan 2000)
Remove charitable deduction; it only benefits rich. (Jan 2000)
Replace employer-provided benefits with a tax cut. (Jan 2000)
Middle-class tax cut: expand 15% tax bracket. (Jan 2000)
Don�t promise tax cuts from future surpluses we may not have. (Jan 2000)
1st step to simplify taxes: close special interest loopholes. (Dec 1999)
Supports flat tax; stop complexity by special interests. (Oct 1999)
Keep lump-sum earned income tax credit. (Oct 1999)
Cut marriage tax, inheritance tax, & earnings test. (Sep 1999)
Taxes should be flatter, lower, and simpler. (Apr 1999)
Voting Record
GovWatch: 2001: against tax cut that went to rich. (Feb 2008)
Voting against Bush cuts then for them: not a mistake. (Jan 2008)
Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending. (May 2007)
Voted YES on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
Voted YES on phasing out the estate tax ("death tax"). (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
Rated 72% by NTU, indicating "Satisfactory" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 50% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Implement socially fair, broad-based tax cuts. (Sep 1998)

Frank McEnulty on Tax Reform

New American Independent Party nominee for President

Click here for 2 full quotes by Frank McEnulty OR click here for Frank McEnulty on other issues.

Move towards a simpler taxation structure. (Jul 2008)
Increased taxes often counterproductive to overall revenue. (Jun 2008)

Cynthia McKinney on Tax Reform

Green Party nominee for President (Former Rep., D, GA-4)

Click here for 10 full quotes by Cynthia McKinney OR click here for Cynthia McKinney on other issues.

Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on $99 B economic stimulus: capital gains & income tax cuts. (Oct 2001)
Voted NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years. (May 2001)
Voted NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"). (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on eliminating the "marriage penalty". (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business. (Mar 2000)
American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person. (Feb 2001)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)
Tax incentives for child care; eliminate marriage penalty. (Jul 1999)
Tax incentives for education, new schools, & families. (Jul 1999)

Brian Moore on Tax Reform

Socialist nominee for President

Click here for 2 full quotes by Brian Moore OR click here for Brian Moore on other issues.

Steeply graduated income tax and estate tax. (Apr 2008)
Limit maximum income to 10 times minimum income. (Dec 2007)

Ralph Nader on Tax Reform

2008 Independent for for President; 2004 Reform nominee; 2000 Green nominee

Click here for 11 full quotes by Ralph Nader OR click here for Ralph Nader on other issues.

Corporations should appreciate taxpayers for their subsidies. (Apr 2008)
End perverse incentives that reward Wall Street speculators. (Feb 2008)
Stop tax cuts and start dealing with real problems. (Jun 2003)
Tax code loopholes benefit corporate donors & cost taxpayers. (Oct 2000)
Sunshine on tax loopholes; sunset on tax breaks. (Oct 2000)
Put meat in the process of progressive taxation. (Oct 2000)
More taxpayer input into tax & spending policy. (Feb 2000)
Tax breaks for big business hurt families. (Dec 1999)
Tax breaks to big business unfairly hurt small business. (Apr 1999)
Focus on under-taxation of corporations, not income tax. (Oct 1996)
Against flat tax; keep progressivity. (Oct 1996)

Barack Obama on Tax Reform

Democratic nomine for President; Junior Senator (IL)

Click here for 37 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

FactCheck: Yes, McCain wants Bush cuts in place after 2011. (Oct 2008)
My plan cuts taxes for most small businesses & 95% of people. (Oct 2008)
Yes, earmarks are abused, but small compared to tax cuts. (Sep 2008)
No $300 billion on tax cuts for those who don't need them. (Sep 2008)
Tax cut for 95% of all working families, not corporations. (Aug 2008)
Tax cut for middle class and relief to struggling homeowners. (Jul 2008)
Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Jul 2008)
Middle class tax cut helps offset rising cost of gas & food. (Jun 2008)
I'm running against failed policy of profligate GOP spending. (May 2008)
I will raise CEO taxes, no doubt about it. (May 2008)
Under Bill Clinton, rich people didn't feel oppressed. (Apr 2008)
No tax increase if earning under $250K; tax cuts under $75K. (Apr 2008)
Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue. (Apr 2008)
Tax cut for seniors and those making $75,000 a year or less. (Feb 2008)
I'm not bashful about it: wealthy will pay more taxes. (Jan 2008)
Stimulus package: $500 tax cut, & Social Security supplement. (Jan 2008)
Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors. (Oct 2007)
Trillion dollar giveaway: the Paris Hilton Tax Break. (Oct 2007)
Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs. (Jun 2007)
Estate tax only affects the wealthiest 1/2 of 1%. (Oct 2006)
Specific tax relief for families making $75,000 or less now. (Jan 2006)
Bush tax cuts help corporations but not middle class. (Jun 2004)
Tax incentives to create jobs at home instead of offshore. (Jun 2004)
Last thing we need now is a permanent tax cut. (Jan 2008)
Voting Record
FactCheck: Voted for non-binding tax increase on $42K income. (Sep 2008)
GovWatch: didn't vote to raise taxes 94 times; at most 54. (Jul 2008)
Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Sarah Palin on Tax Reform

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Click here for 13 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Under Obama plan, small businesses will see tax increases. (Oct 2008)
FactCheck: Undoing Bush tax cut only hits families over $83K. (Oct 2008)
No Alaska sales tax; and $3,200 payments annually. (Sep 2008)
Everybody benefits when government takes less. (Sep 2008)
Raising taxes hurts small business and hurts jobs. (Sep 2008)
Elected mayor based on tax cut promise. (Aug 2008)
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008)
$60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008)
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008)
Repeal "nuisance taxes" including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)
Mitigate impact of new $50M annual cruise ship tourism tax. (Oct 2006)
No income tax; no taking the people's dividends. (Oct 2006)
Would support a seasonal sales tax, but no income tax. (Oct 2006)

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