As Tea Parties ensued from coast to coast last week, the Obama administration and their media minions depicted attendees as not understanding that the new president has decreed taxes will be going down for 95 percent of Americans.
On Sunday's "Meet the Press," Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein let the cat out of the bag: Tea Partiers are right. Taxes are going up.
This revelation occurred after host David Gregory said to the Post's Pulitzer Prize winner, "There may be doubts about President Obama, but he is cutting taxes."
Pearlstein responded:
That's right. And the level of taxation, overall tax, the federal taxation, which includes the income tax, but also the corporate tax and the excise tax and things like that, it's, it's at one of the lower points it's been in the last 30 years. And one of the things that everyone has to get sort of comfortable with is it's going up. And Dick [Armey] is right about that, it's going up. It has to go up. We need to get the deficit down and we need to live within our means in--as households and as governments. So one of the things I, I think I'm a little disappointed in is that Obama has got himself locked into nobody under $250,000 income is going to get a tax increase. I think he's going to find that that's very limiting in terms of putting us on that stable foundation, the rock that he talked about in his speech this week.
Later, Pearlstein elaborated:
I think the president was--in this speech was trying to get us off of the idea that all of this is just spending. Some of it is investment, and it's investment that will pay dividends down the road. And if he can redirect the conversation and say, yeah, this--some of the stuff that government does that we consume every year--we send people checks, that's consumption. But if we're investing in these things, it's good for the public--for the private sector, people in the private sector to invest, but it's also good for the public sector. But what he's got to say is in order to invest, you've got to stop consuming certain things...That is, allow yourself to be taxed so that we can make these investments.
As the Fonz would say, "Exactamundo."
Earlier in the segment, Gregory had this interesting exchange with Fortune's Nina Easton:
DAVID GREGORY, HOST: Is the broader argument here, as Steven suggests, there has to be a burden because of where the country is; that, that individuals have to pay more?
NINA EASTON, FORTUNE: Well, I, I would--first of all, I, I think the media underestimated this as an animating force, a tax--the potential of tax increasing. I think, I think that there is--it's an animating political issue. It's something that the Republicans can hang their hats on. I would recall 1993 Contract with America, when Democrats didn't take that seriously, either. I think tax and spend issues are a real, are a real animating issue for Republicans. I think there's also been a little mini TEA party on the Hill, in that we saw moderate Democrats have already declared, basically, dead on arrival the, the Obama proposal to limit deductions for wealthy households giving charitable contributions. There's concern about the cap and trade, which is the energy plan that's, that a lot of Republicans are countering as a--they're calling a tax increase.
MR. GREGORY: Right.
MS. EASTON: And some moderate Democrats are agreeing. So I think that--I, I do think the tax thing, I think the Democrats underestimated at their own peril.
I very much agree.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
While the columnist was
April 19, 2009 - 13:37 ET by robert108While the columnist was right, in that Obama will raise taxes as much as he can, it's not to benefit us in any way. It is necessary to fund his wasteful social spending, not to create economic growth, which is what we really need. To facilitate economic growth, tax rates need to be lowered, especially the ones on capital formation, and spending needs to be cut, and not the tiny, cosmetic "cuts" Obama promises.
Cutting about a trillion in govt spending would really get things going, along with rolling back the fascist takeover of the banks and the auto industry.
Now I've Seen it All
April 19, 2009 - 13:54 ET by dboThe federal government now spends over $25,000 per taxpayer and fiberals are somehow going to spin this into saying there will be no tax increase for the middle class? Puh-leeeeze.
MS. EASTON: And some
April 19, 2009 - 14:03 ET by bigtimerMS. EASTON: And some moderate Democrats are agreeing. So I think that--I, I do think the tax thing, I think the Democrats underestimated at their own peril.
Couldn't have said it better...you have to wonder what is going to happen with the congress-critters back in session tomorrow...
Unfortunately.
I wished they had to stay our of town for a long long time...
One thing is for sure...we will be getting more fuel from them for the 4th!
The leftist gas-bags are back in business.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I saw the lying Larry Summers
April 19, 2009 - 14:05 ET by Worriedon MTP but missed the truth from Pearlstein. Dang, I've yet to hear someone (other than some honorable Republicans) tell the public the truth about what we've known all along: EVERYONES' TAXES ARE GOING UP TO PAY FOR OBAMA'S NON-UTOPIA! Once again, I look to one of my favorite sites, Newsbusters, to find the truth.
Sounds like Easton is coming to grips with reality, too, or rather starting to open up to the public.
It always starts this way
April 19, 2009 - 23:20 ET by MrSnugglesIt always starts this way with the left. They deny the accusation vehemently, they lie and say that reailty is the opposite of the accusations, and then when things settle down they admit that the accusations were true and go about making them law.
Just as they are lying now about gun bans, they are also lying about taxes, and God knows how many other things (forcing churches to marry gays, for instance).
..Cap and Trade, illegal
April 19, 2009 - 23:30 ET by bigtimer..Cap and Trade, illegal aliens, non-drilling/energy independence here...National Health Care...on and on it goes.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Obama, Sept. 12, 2008, Dover, NH
April 19, 2009 - 14:13 ET by motherbelt"I can make a firm pledge," he said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12.
"Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any
form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not
your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes."
He repeatedly vowed "you will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime." (emphasis added)
Oh, I see; that was under his plan that he had then!
I guess things have changed since then, what with the 62 cents increase in tobacco taxes to begin with, plus whatever other things we have to "allow" ourselves to "invest" in.
We can't hold him to a promise that he made last year!
Don't forget, he's got Rahm "President Clinton kept all the promises he intended to keep" Emanuel working for him!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Don't forget we have another Emanuel to contend with
April 19, 2009 - 14:23 ET by StarAZBrother Zeke is over at Orszag's now...Supposedly these Emanuel kids are so high-powered, when they were younger they had to live thousands of miles apart in separate "force fields." Mr Spock, call your service.
Now now mb....that 62 cents
April 19, 2009 - 14:27 ET by bigtimerNow now mb....that 62 cents tax that was implemented on a particular group of people only, regarding a legal product mind you, why that was for SCHIP...we have to cover the little childrens the libs love to use so much doncha know... ..of course these are the same people who love abortion...you know, the speechless, the defenseless.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Obama lowering our taxes
April 19, 2009 - 22:53 ET by merlin61If I hear one more time that 95% of the people
will get a tax cut, I'm gonna order a huge, huge,
huge roll of duct tape and wrap it around the
a-holes who are promoting this ridiculous lie!!!
Re Obama lowering taxes
April 19, 2009 - 23:32 ET by slickwillie2001Yep, we are losing the language. Payments to people that don't pay taxes means their taxes are cut. Spending is now investment. Any spending is stimulus. Any spending is good for the economy, except military spending. The democratics' wish figure in a budget is baseline, anything below that is a cut. The Bamster counts the rolloff in our numbers of troops in Iraq as part of his budget cut.
President George W. Bush should have claimed a trillion dollar tax cut for not invading Iran. That's no different than what the Bamster is doing.
This one is right up there
April 19, 2009 - 14:13 ET by Republic1This one is right up there with the sun rising in the east. Obama and the Dems are creating a massive budget deficit and almost uncontrolled growth of entitlement programs. The Redistributor is trying to fool the ignorant masses by claiming there'll be no tax hikes and that he will cut govt programs, but anyone who pays attention knows that this is pure sophistry from a dishonest lawyer. I hope the middle class voters who cast their lot with Obama in the election can see what's heading their way. It's gonna hurt.
"I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula." -Muhammad
And if the media had any
April 19, 2009 - 14:17 ET by motherbeltThis one is right up there with the sun rising in the east.
And if the media had any testosterone at all, it would be right up there with "Read my lips!"
But that's a Major League "IF"
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Just Plain Confused
April 19, 2009 - 14:43 ET by rightwingidiotI am so confused.
Obeyme says that anyone making less than $250K isn't going to get a tax increase. Okay.
He also proposes a nearly $4 trillion budget. Okay.
He puts a tax increase on tabacco that hits those making less than $250K the hardest. Okay.
Garofolo says that the Tea Parties were just a bunch of racist rednecks bitching about having a black President. Okay.
CNN reporter (using that term loosely) says that Tea Parties were anti-CNN protests and arranged and promoted by FOX news. Okay.
People that seem to know something about how Obeyme is going to pay for his budget say that taxes are going up on those making less than $250K. Okay.
Oh, now I get it. We're just a bunch of idiots that don't understand anything. Not one single attendee of the Tea Parties has any idea why they were there and what is coming down the pike. Now it's perfectly clear.
"Obeyme's budget. Just another crap sandwich. Open wide America." - RWI
Democrats underestimated at their own peril
April 19, 2009 - 14:46 ET by JDWPolitico doesn't. Smith wrote an article this morning stating 1st QTR RNC contributions double the libs.
Americans, not parties, realize how spending is affecting them.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
The government works for me, not the other way around
Investments?
April 19, 2009 - 14:57 ET by HoosierEmPuhleeeeeeeeeeeze - I can't afford for the government to make any more "investments" on my behalf.
The only investments we are making are for costly social programs that have a history of only causing the creation of more social programs. It needs to end now. Hopefully 2010 will be the start.
Pirates
April 19, 2009 - 15:25 ET by ACLUSUXWhy do I feel like a ship passing the coast of Somalia?
ACLUSUX...
April 19, 2009 - 15:40 ET by dborschjr68Brilliant post, LOL!
De Oppresso Liber.
I am so going to use that.
April 19, 2009 - 23:23 ET by MrSnugglesI am so going to use that. Excellent!
Transparency
April 19, 2009 - 15:32 ET by Jerry MackI will not raise taxes on anyone making less than $250000.00 a year. That statement is as credible as "I will let the voters review all bills for 5 days before I sign it". Also "There will not be any lobbist in my cabinet".
What happened to the $2000.00 bribe that he promised to the non tax payers if he was elected?
Pearlstein will be blacklisted...
April 19, 2009 - 15:40 ET by dborschjr68Poor Pearlstein.
Now he went and did the unthinkable. He has provided soundbite after soundbite to confirm what the TEA Party folks had been railing about on 15 Apr 2009.
He's so gonna get it from his peers.
Good.
De Oppresso Liber.
How about
April 19, 2009 - 15:41 ET by 10ksnookera 90% tax on book rayalities, past and future. Like the ones that TOTUS got.
Plus why not tax speaking fees at 90% like those given by al Gore and other former presidents.
The Liar-In-Chief
April 19, 2009 - 18:57 ET by iveseenitallTaxes are going up---Duh!
Hyper-inflation is on the way---Duh!
We are being disgraced around the world--Duh!
We are piling debt upon our children and grandchildren--Duh!
Our defenses are being cut---Duh!
The Welfare State is back--- Duh!
Amnesty is on the way---Duh!
And so much more...
But, as Barry would say, "We won".
America is in deep soup, folks.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
hey this tobacco tax should
April 19, 2009 - 19:59 ET by kangaroohey this tobacco tax should be investigated for gouging, one pack of bugler tobacco in key west conveince stores was a buck 90 now some of them are charging over 5 bucks, that is a 150+% raise now where near 60 cents and that goes for smokes as well, generic smokes 250 are now over 4 bucks thats alot more that 60 cents, and another buck rise in a couple of weeks shenanigans I say
Kangaroo you forget that the
April 19, 2009 - 21:01 ET by ConservativeCopKangaroo you forget that the 60 cents is just the Feds take. The states also raise their taxes on cigs when the feds do so they can make it look like its all the feds fault. Wait till the poor find out that not only are their cigs costing more but some states are looking at raising the alcohol tax 1900 percent. That will really tick off the non producers.
Maybe if republicans ran on
April 19, 2009 - 23:25 ET by MrSnugglesMaybe if republicans ran on a platform that included tax cuts on alcohol and tobacco these "non-producers" might vote against democrats for once.
But what's happening is
April 19, 2009 - 21:28 ET by RR GOPBut what's happening is that polls are showing that most Americans think that their current tax rates are fair. Of course, if you're paying nothing to begin with...
They're sitting around up there dreaming up new ways to tax/gouge us...but without actually having to admit they're taxing us.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
RR
April 19, 2009 - 21:38 ET by Noel SheppardRR,
Of course. This is an ABSURD poll. 43 percent of Americans don't pay taxes, and the media are surprised that 48 percent think tax rates are just fine.
Astounding! ns
add internet sales tax to the list
April 19, 2009 - 21:29 ET by katainkentwhat's not in your wallet? Holy crap. I do probably 50% of my major purchases online. Obama had better veto this puppy. "95% of Americans" my aunt fanny.
I love to help the helpless but I'm not gonna help the clueless ~Dennis Miller
They brag
April 20, 2009 - 10:09 ET by PoolPlayerThey brag about putting $5 in our front pockets while they take $1000's from our back pockets. Freakin media repeats those BS talking points ad infinitum ( or is it ad nauseaum).
The mini-TEA parties on the
April 20, 2009 - 09:29 ET by FranksamThe mini-TEA parties on the Hill. Right, hosted by Democrats who are starting to think about their chances for re-election in a swing district.
At least the big 'O' didn't lick Hugo's shoes. This could be a sign of progress.