Debate #2 on domestic issues...how will Kerry counter

[ikojo]

Bush's assessment of him and the Dems as tax and spenders?

I hope Kerry will pound Bush on the numbers of people who have fallen into poverty as well as the number of foreclosures under his watch. He also needs to stress the number of jobs lost as well.

The idea of Dems as tax and spenders is embedded in the culture as it the myth of the liberal media. People believe it even if it isn't true.

How does Kerry get across in the short time allotted that as taxes are decreased for the wealthy, states are forced to cut programs (the pugs and some Dems think that is good) or they are forced to raise sales taxes (extremely regressive) and property taxes?

we need to pound home the meme that the pugs are BORROW and spenders. Gov't spending has not decreased under Bush's watch. However, getting the public to believe AND understand that in the time allotted will be difficult. I am sure Bush will repeat "tax and spend" over and over again.

[drdon326]

1. Isn't that debate # 3 ??

#2 is towm hall.

[ikojo]

2. You're right...

Still something for the Kerry group to think about. Bushy will also throw the Massachusetts gay marriage thing at Kerry as well.

I think Bush will concentrate on the big repugnican three...

God

Guns

Gays

I hope Kerry can hold his own on all of these without truly ticking off a major segment of the Democratic constituency.

[EST]

3. Same as usual-

Tell the truth, over and over, but do it in tiny, short sentences such that even a right winger can get the general drift of it.

[ClintonTyree]

4. Tax and spenders...............

vs. Spend and Deficit. Lesson 101 in economics. If you have more expenditures than you have revenue, you're on a collision course with failure. Revenues must increase (recinding tax cuts for the richest people in the country) in order to balance the budget and increase spending on programs like Homeland Security, Education, Healthcare etc. This is a no-brainer. Kerry can murder Bush on these issues, and will in my opinion.

[meti57b]

5. "borrow and spend" republicans

[drdon326]

8. Meti........looooong time no see.

Always good to see you.

[displacedtexan]

6. The" veil of ignorance" and "fair share"

Our tax system has always been based on these 2 premises. If you truly believe that "all men (people) are created equal (equally), you have to believe that being born into a wealthy family doesn't come with special privileges. If it did, and everyone accepted this as just, the slaves would never have risen up against Pharaoh, and Moses would have been nothing more than a happy stone cutter.


Fair share means that each pays taxes "to promote the common welfare" according to his/her ability. Can you imagine Jesus hanging out with the money changers?

Both of these premises are grounded in Christian moral teachings and secular economic need.

"Fair" does not mean "across the board sameness." It means "each to his/her own need."

I hope this makes sense.
First cup of coffee.

[democrank]

7. I hope Bush does rant about

tax and spend Democrats. Then Kerry can counter with numbers on the surplus Bush inherited from Clinton compared to where we are today. Or, maybe Kerry could chat a little about the irresponsible policy of tax cuts for (mostly) millionaires during a time of war.

One thing Democrats need to pound away at is the myth that these tax cuts were kinda like harmless little gifts from Bush. Someone is going to have to pay for them....and pay dearly.

[orpupilofnature57]

9. ASK..HOW MANY TIMES DOES 200 BILLION GO IN TO.....

12 F-cking trillion,lucky for us the rich will have the money,to let the rest of us borrow it.

[carnie_sf]

10. Tax and Spend

should be counteres with borrow and spend imhop

[Peanut Gallery]

11. imho

This issue is a bit of a minefield for Kerry and for Democrats in general, because that "tax-and-spend" label sticks. In general I think that fiscally-conscious Republicans are not entirely happy with the astronomical deficit - Kerry could keep the focus on that, and offer his solutions for balancing the budget (because Bush seems to have nothing to offer in this area). He might also switch the focus to negative job growth.

I hope Kerry also deconstructs Bush's "ownership society." What does it mean, anyway? It sounds like a lot of bullsh*t, that there's no real plan in place - just more empty promises from an administration that never actually focuses on anything except war profiteering.

Just my 2 cents.

[liberal N proud]

12. All he needs to do is point out the Republican method of barrow and spend

The Repukes have portrayed themselves as the fiscally responsible party and shrub has destroyed that much in the same way he destroyed the US foreign relations.
The ownership society can be killed by examples of people who once owned much and since shrub took office, they own nothing. My brother is one of them. All he has to look forward to is Social Security, His pension was stolen by the corporate greed in this country. He just needs to explain in his way, these are the reasons the government must protect Social programs.

[gcomeau]

13. If he tries to make it an issue of Dem economic performance...

Kerry only needs 5 words to respond.

Bill Clinton balanced the budget.

After Reagan and Bush Sr. raised it to *then* record heights no less. A dem economic leadership means a nation in the black.

-Grant