Posts Tagged ‘politics’

“Tax Cuts For Millionaires” Democrats’ New Rallying Cry

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Republicans and Democrats are once again failing to compromise – this time it’s on a major tax decision for wealthy Americans.

  • During the Bush presidency, taxes were cut for pretty much everyone, at every income level. But now Congress is having a pretty heated debate about whether to renew them this month.
  • Republicans want to keep the tax cuts, but Democrats believe that raising taxes on the rich (to pre-Bush levels) is the only way to reduce our giant budget deficit and fund relief for Americans suffering from the recession.
  • Publicly, Democrats are fighting the extension of Bush-era tax cuts, calling them “tax cuts for millionaires.” But because opposition from Republicans is so strong, they may be forced to accept a renewal of today’s tax structure.

Facts & Figures

  • Republicans once coined the emotionally-charged term “death tax” to turn public opinion against estate taxes
  • Some Dems have proposed a compromise that only raises taxes on households making more than $1 million

Best Quotes

In the Democrats’ corner:

“Just as the death tax sort of put Democrats on the defensive on the estate tax, the millionaires’ tax is putting the Republicans on the defensive on tax policy. I think it is a potent issue with the public.” – New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer

The Republican perspective:

“They are trying to create class warfare. But I don’t care who they take it from. It’s still money out of the private sector.” – South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint

Tax Break And Debate

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Republicans and Democrats squabble over the extension of tax breaks for middle income families.

  • Debates over taxes and spending in Washington are prevalent as both parties attempt to address The Unites States’ ballooning budget deficit.
  • Democrats advocate extending tax cuts for the middle class while eliminating tax cuts for higher income Americans.
  • Republicans say that it is unwise to allow upper income tax breaks to expire, insisting that it will weaken an already unstable economy.

    Best Quote

    “Washington Democrats are poised to allow the largest tax increase in American history to take effect next year.” – Mike Pence, Republican, Indiana

    Bryce Cullinane Is Supporting YOU For President!

    Friday, October 23rd, 2009

    At 23 years old, Bryce Cullinane started PoliticsUnder30.org to help young people get involved in the politics. But it’s not about getting you to vote for someone or even just to vote – it’s about making you the candidate. Bryce took a few minutes with us to tell us what he’s up to and how you can become our next President.

    >>TILE brings you exclusive interviews from people doing great things in SPEND, GROW, and GIVE. To view more, click on TILEcasts in the TILE Library.

    Have a burning question or someone you’d like to see interviewed? Let us know – just Ask TILE!

    Why is there a limit to political giving?

    Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

    Campaign finance laws determine how much you’re allowed to give to a political candidate or party that you support. The limits placed on those contributions might seem unfair – how come you can’t give as much money as you want if you support a candidate? Candidates who get elected wield a lot of power: they write laws, hire companies for big government contracts, and make all sorts of decisions that affect your life and your business. When people give money to a campaign, they gain some influence over that candidate, who will tend to look favorably upon the desires of his biggest contributors because he wants to keep receiving their support.

    If there were no limits to campaign contributions, certain people would have way more political power than others just because they have more money, which would undermine the very idea of democracy. Money gives people all sorts of additional power that people with less money don’t have and that is not necessarily a bad thing – money can create jobs or fund the arts or help lift people out of poverty. However, the political freedoms that make our vibrant, dynamic economy possible only exist because of our strong democracy which is based on the idea that all men (and women) are created equal. You only get one vote for a reason; campaign finance limits are just an extension of that same idea.