Tax Reform: 2008 contenders' views

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Republican Possibilities:
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Bob Barr on Tax Reform

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

Click here for 10 full quotes by Bob Barr OR click here for Bob Barr on other issues.

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)

Hillary Clinton on Tax Reform

Democratic Jr Senator (NY)

Click here for 30 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.

Absolutely no tax increase on people earning under $250K. (Apr 2008)
Perhaps raise capital gains tax, but at most to 20%. (Apr 2008)
Rescind tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year. (Feb 2008)
AdWatch: cut taxes for the middle class. (Feb 2008)
Wealthy should go back to paying pre-Bush tax rates. (Jan 2008)
Want to restore the tax rates we had in the '90s. (Dec 2007)
Freeze estate tax at 2009 level of $7 million per couple. (Oct 2007)
Why cut off payroll contribution at $95,000? (Jun 2007)
Cut alternative minimum tax, not billionaire tax cuts. (Mar 2007)
Expand child tax credit for child's first year. (Dec 2006)
End Bush tax cuts;take things away from rich for common good. (Oct 2006)
To get America back on track, cut short tax cuts. (Sep 2005)
NY share of federal taxes is too high. (Feb 2000)
Just Say No to GOP tax plan. (Sep 1999)
GOP tax plan would hurt New York�s students. (Aug 1999)
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 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 YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
Rated 21% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 80% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Mike Gravel on Tax Reform

Libertarian for President; Former Democratic Senator (AK)

Click here for 8 full quotes by Mike Gravel OR click here for Mike Gravel on other issues.

Eliminate income tax so the wealthy can't "game" the system. (Nov 2007)
Tax code is corrupt & serves the wealthy. (Jun 2007)
Wipe out the income tax! -- it's regressive. (Feb 2007)
National sales tax; no exceptions; prebates for essentials. (Feb 2007)
Supports a national sales tax to replace IRS. (Jan 2007)
Repeal the income tax and close down the IRS. (Dec 2006)
Tax system unfairness only superceded by incomprehensibility. (Apr 2006)
Less regressive tax on poor; more capital gains on rich. (Jan 1972)

Alan Keyes on Tax Reform

2004 former Republican challenger for IL Senate; previously Candidate for President

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 Sr Senator (AZ)

Click here for 54 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for 10 older headlines OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

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)

Cynthia McKinney on Tax Reform

Green Party Presidential challenger (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

2004 Reform nominee; 2000 Green Candidate for President

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 Jr Senator (IL)

Click here for 25 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

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)
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)

Ron Paul on Tax Reform

Republican Representative (TX-14); previously Libertarian for President

Click here for 26 full quotes by Ron Paul OR click here for Ron Paul on other issues.

AdWatch: Taxpayer's best friend: never supported an increase. (Feb 2008)
Spending money doesn't stimulate economy; reduced taxes do. (Jan 2008)
Doesn't want flat tax or consumption tax. (Dec 2007)
Get rid of IRS; get rid of income tax; get rid of spending. (Dec 2007)
The most sinister of all taxes is the inflation tax. (Dec 2007)
I have never voted for a tax increase; and never will. (Nov 2007)
GovWatch: Zero income tax reverts to 1990 budget, not 2000. (Nov 2007)
Immediately work to phase out the IRS. (May 2007)
Get rid of the inflation tax with sound money. (May 2007)
Campaign slogan in 2004: The Taxpayers' Best Friend. (Jan 2007)
1986 tax simplification made tax code more incomprehensible. (Dec 1987)
Inflation is a form of taxation on poor & middle class. (Dec 1981)
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent. (Apr 2002)
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)
Overhaul income tax; end capital gains & inheritance tax. (Dec 2000)
Phaseout the death tax. (Mar 2001)
Rated 89% by NTU, indicating a "Taxpayer's Friend" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

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