Reply #16: We can't afford a regressive tax code. [View All]

[AP]

I really can't believe people are taking Russert's word for what we can afford and can't afford. It's not like Russert went around saying we couldn't afford Bush's tax cut package when it was passed. But now we can't afford to undo it if it's undone in a way that more progressive?

OK, that makes no sense.

Again, you're going to see the middle class become more productive and contribute more to the economy if they're undburdned by the tax code.

If we can't afford to undo Bush's damage by just reversing the tax cuts for the top 6%, then we have to find a way to raise more revenue in a progressive manner. Cruz Bustamante is, I believe, proposing another tax band at a much higher income level. I think Edwards suggested something similar. Making cap gains tax more progressive (as Edwards suggests) is another possibility.

Bush was right to cut taxes on the middle class, but he was throwing them a tiny tiny bone to get them to shut up about the HUGE tax cuts for the wealthy. Kerry is right to not give those cuts back.