The Air War has Begun
30 March 2005
In November 2004 when Sen. Graham first said that he was willing to raise taxes in order to have social security reform I said the following on JRE Grassroots:
Source: ABC News
Sen. Lindsey Graham says he is willing to raise taxes among other options, such as eliminating pork barrel spending, to fund Social Security reform. We know that both of these sacrifices will be unpopular. Tax increases are incredibly unpopular among conservatives and the tax cut strategy is championed by Grover Norquist's Club for Growth.
The Club, as it is known within party circles, has Republican candidates sign a pledge not to raise taxes. Graham signed this pledge. I am glad he is willing to break the pledge, which will cost much politically because it makes it possible for the Club to call him a RINO and give them a reason to finance a primary challenger in 2008. RINO stands for Republican in Name Only and usually refers to moderates who are likely to go along with tax increases or vote against tax cuts. Graham is hardly a moderate and appears to this observer to be popular in SC. He made the following statement in The State (Columbia, SC) today:
Quote:
“I am willing to raise your taxes,” he said. “I’m tired of kicking the can down the road.”
Graham, his plan may shape overhaul
This is a good plan for Social Security reform and will be funded with a budgeted solution; not the off-budget account advocated by Sen.-elect John Thune of South Dakota. It is a good thing we have sensible, fiscally-responsible Senators like Lindsey Graham.
Source: Club for Growth
Well now he has stated that he will introduce legislation in the next 3 weeks and The Club for Growth (as predicted above) is on the attack. They released an ad called "Ideas" that attacks his plan because he suggests an increase in taxes in order to be fiscally responsible.
TV ad targets Graham’s idea to overhaul Social Security
By Lauren Markoe
Washington Bureau
Washington — Television stations across the state today will begin airing an ad that reprimands U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for one of his ideas to overhaul Social Security.
The Republican from Seneca has offended economic conservatives nationally by favoring an increase in the amount of income subject to Social Security taxes. The lobbying arm of the Club for Growth — the Washington-based sponsor of the ad — says the idea conflicts with conservative ideals of lower taxes and smaller government.
This ad is similar in content to an ad called "Big Ideas" that Inez Tennebaum aired against Jim DeMint in the last election. Its content and music are just as cheezy all though the graphic content is better. Just the same I dislike it because "Ideas" leaves out the borrowing element if taxes are not increased. Borrowing would increase our debt and overburden the younger generation that is supposed to benefit from the reform. A slight tax cap increase requires a sacrifice that we should all be willing to make if we believe that SS reform is necessary. Sure, it means we all must sacrifice to reform Social Securitry, however, why borrow the money just to satisfy groups like The Club for Growth when we can pay for the reform by raising the cap and not increasing the debt.
Related Link: Social Security Solvency and Modernization Act
Retirment Security
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.