Perry hints at the outlines of his economic plan
Rick Perry said during Tuesday night’s debate that he was on the verge of releasing his economic-growth plan. In a speech Wednesday, the Texas governor said it’s coming early next week — and, according to a report in the Weekly Standard, it includes “major tax reform, entitlement reform, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, an abolishment of earmarks, and a recommitment to energy exploration in the United States.”
[Perry's] plan “starts with scrapping the three million words of the current tax code — starting over with something simple: a flat tax.”
“I want to make the tax code so simple that even Timothy Geithner can file his taxes on time,” the Texas governor said, taking a jab at the treasury secretary who had major errors in his tax returns that were revealed after he was nominated by President Barack Obama for his present job.
“The second part of my plan involves the serious commitment to spending, realizing alternatives” to the path taken by Europe, Perry said. In this vein, the Texas governor went on to affirm his commitment to “reforming entitlements, preserving those commitments to those who are on Social Security…and those approaching the age of retirement.”
Details about what kind of flat tax and how exactly Perry would reform entitlements are TBA. It would have been nice to have those details before Tuesday’s debate. On the other hand, given the pummeling Herman Cain got for the specifics of his 9-9-9 plan, one can understand why Perry wouldn’t have been eager to release his own plan beforehand.
With some $15 million in the bank, Perry can use the month between now and the next debate to roll out, explain and promote his plan. Longer than that, really: The next debate will be about foreign policy, so his plan won’t get debate-style group scrutiny on that occasion.
Entitlement reform, which ranks ahead of even tax reform in terms of urgency, has gone largely unaddressed by the other candidates. If Perry can seize on that issue with an attractive plan, and if he can combine it with a robust energy plan (which ought to be a strength for the Texan), and if he presents a flat tax that’s even simpler than Cain’s 9-9-9, he still stands a chance of regaining the lead among the anti-Romneys in the race.
Of course, for now, that amounts to three big if’s about a still-unknown plan.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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120 comments Add your comment
@@
October 20th, 2011
6:18 am
So far, Perry seems to be leading from behind. Not impressed.
Someone mentioned that Gingrich was the only one who didn’t attack Cain’s 9-9-9. That’s because Gingrich is looking for solutions. He’s eager to listen, not just attack.
During the mid-terms, Gingrich spoke out against some of the GOP candidates. He quickly got shot down by those of us who support Reagan’s 11th commandment. He’s a quick study, that Newt.
JF McNamara
October 20th, 2011
6:25 am
His strategy for saving his campaign is to roll out a plan that raises taxes and cuts social security on me since I’m not “approaching” retirement. Without knowing details, that doesn’t seem like a great plan.
If he wants to impress me, he’ll force those “approaching” retirement to pay more in taxes to offset my social security cuts. Those “approaching” retirement are the clowns who ran the country into the ground. Why are they let off with no penalty?
Streetracer
October 20th, 2011
6:33 am
Still haven’t figured out what sort of business Geithner could have had that would not be a conflict of interest for the chief of a Regional Federal Reserve Bank. Has anyone else?
Michael Ioffe
October 20th, 2011
6:41 am
Exploration of energy in USA is good direction. It will save our money, which we spend on foreign oil-$350,000,000,000 per year. We still have climate change, and clean air problem.
I will prefer changing transportation system, where we moving by heavy car (4000 lb) mostly one person (200 lb). It movement need at least ten time more energy, than could be in cart (29 lb) moving by road on roads without intersection.
In power plant we waste 80% of fuel energy-heat energy in vain.
Changing transportation and electricity production will reduce our need for energy at least 7 times.
These technology could be developed in USA and after that sell overseas.
It will provide jobs, which will stay in USA at least nearest 20 years.
JF McNamara
October 20th, 2011
6:43 am
Streetracer,
Her worked at the IMF. They reimburse income tax but not social security and medicare taxes. He needed to pay those on his own and didn’t. It wasn’t a straight forward filing, and he probably had an accountant do it.
Streetracer
October 20th, 2011
7:06 am
JF McNamara @ 6:43
If memory serves, the period when he didn’t pay self employment tax was when he was the boss of the New York Fed. Being a Fed employee, he would have had SS and Medicare taxes withheld. So he must have had a sideline business of some sort. Don’t know what sort of business that could be that would not be a conflict of interest.
May be wrong. I’ll research it some later when I have time. Got work to do now.
Really?
October 20th, 2011
7:56 am
Nice cut-and-paste again…. how much do they pay you at the AJC.. I hope you at least sweep the floors and clean the restrooms to earn your keep.
JF McNamara
October 20th, 2011
8:00 am
StreetRacer,
From the WSJ,
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123187503629378119.html
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:13 am
Most any form of tax simplification would be a help to the economy. The current system is full of market distortions and requires hundreds of billions in non-value-adding activities, which throw sand in the gears of our economic machine.
Flat tax, 9-9-9, Fair Tax…any of them would be better for the economy than the government-created mess we have now.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:20 am
Relax, Really. Kyle is a “commentator”. Commentators have to have something to comment on. In any case, this post looks to be about 60% Kyle.
carlosgvv
October 20th, 2011
8:26 am
I’m sure Perry’s economic-growth plan will be so simple that an average 5th grader will be able to understand it. That’s mainly because Perry’s emotional and intellectual level is at about 5th grade level.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:34 am
How’s our Nobel-winning, Ivy League genius Obozo’s economic growth plan working out?
HOPEful
October 20th, 2011
8:43 am
Has Obama been sentenced to prison yet?
Road Scholar
October 20th, 2011
8:44 am
LBB: If the repubs would get out of the way, we could see whether it works or fails. Right now it is being held hostage.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:46 am
We already know it won’t work, because we tried the same thing in 2009 (except spent twice as much) and unemployment went UP.
Obozo needs to come up with a better plan and be a leader instead of a campaigner.
Obozo: Party over country. Every time.
The Fierce Urgency of NOW
October 20th, 2011
8:53 am
Rick Perry said he is on the verge of releasing his economic-growth plan. it includes “major tax reform, entitlement reform, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, an abolishment of earmarks, and a recommitment to energy exploration in the United States.”
WHAT ABOUT JOBS MR. PERRY. WE CANNOT WAIT FOR HIM TO MESS AROUND! WE NEED JOBS!
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:55 am
Obozo and the Democrat party should worry more about real (private sector) jobs instead of buying off their union buddies in state and local government. These two idiots are un-freaking-believable.
————————
Reid signals government jobs must take priority over private-sector jobs
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday indicated Congress needs to worry about government jobs more than private-sector jobs, and that this is why Senate Democrats are pushing a bill aimed at shoring up teachers and first-responders.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
8:58 am
WHAT ABOUT JOBS MR. PERRY. WE CANNOT WAIT FOR HIM TO MESS AROUND!
————————-
Perhaps your concerns would be better directed at the loser who will hold the job into January 2013.
Terrence
October 20th, 2011
9:00 am
To the protesters with a brain, (not Obama’s Alinsky types) get a clue! You’re being had by Obama and his BIG GOVERNMENT takeover.
What they don’t tell you.
The 1% Ain’t What It Used To Be
Kaplan has calculated the incomes of the top 1% and the top 0.1% for 2009, and his results show that they continued to fall pretty steeply.
When the 1% are destroyed, government will be all that is left.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
October 20th, 2011
9:02 am
@Lil’ Barry Bailout October 20th, 2011 8:34 am
@HOPEful October 20th, 2011 8:43 am
Where were you when George W. Bush ran this country into the ground? Were you on the blog ranting and raving.
Where were you when George w. Bush took this country from a surplus to a deficit?
Where were you when George W. Bush was looking for weapons of mass destruction?
Where were you when George W. Bush took us to war thats costing us millions?
Where were you when the planes hit on 9-11 and George W. Bush sat there like a deer in headlights?
Where were you when George W. Bush said that he would catch Bin Laden?
President Obama has had only several years in the white house but yo boy Bush had more and WHAT DID HE DO AND WHERE WERE YOU?
Were you on the blog condeming George W. Bush?
MountainMan
October 20th, 2011
9:06 am
Any tax reform needs a consumption tax component. The current system of voluntary compliance leaves too much income untaxed (> $350B yr). This income consists of illegal transactions (drugs/sex), tradesmen doing jobs on the side, and businessment skimming cash. The consumption tax would pick up this income when spent.
Po Folks Aint Got No Business Defending the Rich 1%
October 20th, 2011
9:07 am
@Terrence October 20th, 2011 9:00 am
WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING THE 1%. They don’t give a hoot about me or you. They are about the dollar. They would sell their mama for a dollar.
So what do you think they would do for you?
Don’t be a sucker.
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
9:07 am
“I want to make the tax code so simple that even Timothy Geithner can file his taxes on time,” the Texas governor said,
Politics aside, that is a good line.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
9:08 am
Blame Bush, Blame Bush.
Where’s the “change”, glass houses?
Oh, right. We changed the $170 billion deficit in the last budget put forth by Bush and the Republicans into annual $1.5 trillion deficits. We changed 4-6% unemployment to 9-10% unemployment. We now have record numbers in poverty and on handouts.
Stay focused on the past…that’s the way your masters like you sheeple.
I’ve got a problem with your idiot Obozo because he has taken the Costanza approach to improving the economy…he’s doing the opposite of what makes sense.
How’s it working?
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
9:09 am
Really?
October 20th, 2011
7:56 am
+++++++++++++++++
Frustrated hall monitor or plain ol’ sour a$$…
MountainMan
October 20th, 2011
9:13 am
AS far as Geitner and his taxes, when he went back and paid the 2001, 2002 taxes the Statute of Limitations had expired on those years, so technically he made a contribution to the US government. I wonder if he claimed a contribution deduction on his 2009 return?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
9:15 am
“Where were you when George W. Bush ran this country into the ground?”
He didn’t. Liberal policies did that.
“Where were you when George w. Bush took this country from a surplus to a deficit?”
There was never a surplus and I complained about his deficit spending.
“Where were you when George W. Bush was looking for weapons of mass destruction?”
Right here, like everyone else. Are you suggesting some of us should have been looking, too?
“Where were you when George W. Bush took us to war thats costing us millions?”
Right here, complaining about it.
“Where were you when the planes hit on 9-11 and George W. Bush sat there like a deer in headlights?”
Watching the horror like everyone else, and watching a true Commander-in-Chief following that day.
“Where were you when George W. Bush said that he would catch Bin Laden?”
Right here. What is your point?
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
9:16 am
I wonder if he claimed a contribution deduction on his 2009 return?
+++++++++++++++++++++
The Clintons claimed used underwear, so I suppose it’s feasible…
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
9:19 am
Name modification suggestion: Tiberius, Thunderclap of Irrelevance.
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
9:22 am
Sorry there Tiberius. I had you confused with the original poster of the list of false statements. I guess the downside of arguing with idiots is what they say it is…
Terrence
October 20th, 2011
9:22 am
PO, the 1% has no power over me–cannot force me to reach in my pocket against my will. Government exercises their power every day and they are looking for more.
Road Scholar
October 20th, 2011
9:25 am
So Tiberius and LBB, everything was just peachy when Bush left office?
Karl Marx
October 20th, 2011
9:26 am
Years ago Reagan pointed out that there were 151 taxes embedded in a loaf of bread. That seems to be more than Perry can understand. I think Al Gores former Campaign manager is finished.
Terrence
October 20th, 2011
9:28 am
PO will be moso if he continues to support destruction of the 1%. Could be he’s a government shill, riding the gravy train.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
9:30 am
everything was just peachy when Bush left office?
————————–
No. And for some reason Obozo insists on making it worse.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
9:45 am
“So Tiberius and LBB, everything was just peachy when Bush left office?”
No, but repeating the same failed liberal policies that got us there isn’t the solution, Road.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
9:46 am
Sounds good thus far.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
9:47 am
QADDAFI IS DEAD!
Sad State of Affairs
October 20th, 2011
9:58 am
Name the US President with the best record of handling terrorism and those who commit genocide in the past 30 years. Hint, it isn’t the guy who blabbered about WMDs and Mission Accomplished.
Road Scholar
October 20th, 2011
10:00 am
And I thought conservatives didn’t say bad about their President Bush!
When are you two running for office?
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
10:02 am
Sad State…you must be referring to Regan or Bush Sr.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
10:03 am
“When are you two running for office?”
Already did. Already served. What’s your point?
C.C.
October 20th, 2011
10:03 am
Your Cash for Their Clunkers
Another White House energy favorite hits financial trouble.
There’s no pleasure in Ener1’s troubles, but there is a lesson: Better to leave commercial financing decisions to private investors and bankers who are likely to take more care with their own money. Politicians write the press releases first and worry about the taxpayer losses later.
This is getting old, real fast.
GOPerry
October 20th, 2011
10:03 am
So are we supposed to believe that Perry accidently missed two debates that could have focused on economic policies by releasing his plan in advance of a foreign policy debate? Come on, this guy is a joke, a male Sarah Palin… a charismatic empty suit. Is there nay doubt that Newt is highly annoyed that the Perry Clown gets more financial support than the former Speaker? I’d bet anything that Newt is secretly appalled that Perry is raking in the cash while he struggles to keep his campaign afloat. Newt was likely smarter than Perry when Newt was a 3rd grader (vs. Perry now).
Road Scholar
October 20th, 2011
10:05 am
Tiberius: What offiice? We need leadership now;you seem to have all the answers?
Rafe Hollister
October 20th, 2011
10:07 am
Perry is going to need more than a flat tax plan to get back in the race. Many of us were shocked at his Dick Nixon (took that from Dick Morris) like attack on Romney. How Romney’s unfortunate and unknowingly hiring some illegal weed eater operators could balance Perry’s soft stance on illegal immigration was apparent only to Perry. Then after accusing the man of this “serious” impropriety, he refused to let him answer the allegation. Punk best describes his behavior. Romney has a lot to explain, his flip flopping and Romneycare, but he has done nothing to warrant being treated so rudely.
Clinton "Skink" Tyree
October 20th, 2011
10:11 am
Perry’s plan will be whatever it takes to move from his $25,000 a month rental Governor’s Mansion in Texas to the White House and he’ll do anything, say anything or be anything the oligarchs — who are financing his campaign — tell him to do.
He’s a ambitious as Lucifer and knows how to win, so he’s the champion of the oligarchs who are intent on establishing a plutocracy. Hence, the $17 million warchest that just fell into his lap.
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” ~ John Kenneth Galbraith
MarkV
October 20th, 2011
10:12 am
Uncle Jed @9:07 am: ‘“I want to make the tax code so simple that even Timothy Geithner can file his taxes on time,” the Texas governor said,
Politics aside, that is a good line.’
It is a good line ONLY in politics.
jconservative
October 20th, 2011
10:14 am
Actually you guys blaming Bush 43 are way behind on your history lesson. Same for you guys defending Bush.
When Kennedy was sworn in as president in January 1961 the National Debt was $650 Billion.
When Reagan was sworn in as president in January 1981 the National Debt was $957 Billion.
When Bush 41 was sworn in as president in January 1989 the National Debt was $2.9 Trillion.
So what happened? Simple. By cuts in federal income tax rates we reduced federal revenue.
And at the same time, in the same budgets, we increased spending. And the presidents that followed Reagan have all done the same, except for the 3 year vacation under a Republican congress and Clinton in the last 3 years of his administration.
Then Bush 43 doubled the National Debt. And Obama will have a 30% – 33% increase in the National Debt by the time his current term ends.
So where do we go from here?
We got here by reducing federal revenue and increasing federal spending. The obvious solution is to reverse that practice by increasing revenue and reducing spending.
But it is never that simple.
Technology and the global economy have rendered the US economy just another economy. By January 2012 there will be 7 billion people, consumers if you will, on the Earth. Only 315 million will live & consume in the US. The market is “out there”, now and for the foreseeable future.
The net increase in the number of jobs created has been going down for 4 decades.
Everyone saw the downward trend but no one knew what to do about it. So no one talked about it. No one knows what to do about it today. So no one talks about it.
So we point fingers knowing that is the solution to the problem.
Or we plan to cut taxes knowing that is the solution to the problem. Or better yet, just change the tax system from this to that. That should create jobs!
MarkV
October 20th, 2011
10:19 am
jconservative @10:14 am: “So what happened? Simple. By cuts in federal income tax rates we reduced federal revenue.”
An opinion at best, not based on any facts. Care to prove a cause and effect relationship?
Ben the Independent
October 20th, 2011
10:20 am
I like Perry but this sounds like a ‘me too’ thing following the lead of Cain and his 9-9-9 plan.
captguitarman
October 20th, 2011
10:25 am
I’m sure Obama and his team cannot believe their good fortune with this Pub debate circus now getting up to full speed. On his show last night, O’Reilly asked Dennis Miller, “Who won?” Miller’s pick was exactly right – Obama won. And he won big. O’Reilly’s Dem analyst, who was on earlier, was thrilled with Perry’s hard nosed performance and how well he is doing in the campaign. What a surprise. If Perry gets the nomination, the Obama nation will be dancing in the aisles — more years. The Dems do not want to see Romney get the nomination for one very important reason. Out of all the clowns in this circus, Romney would win the election. There is supposed to be 10 or 12 more of these debate “performances” and with all the Pubs on stage who have no prayer of winning the nomination, let alone a national election, unloading their clips on the frontrunners and spouting off stupid nonsense so they will get their sound bites recorded and printed . . . meanwhile creating campaign material for Obama and drag and wind resistance for the ultimate “winner” of this ongoing fiasco, Obama should be in pretty good shape. Who would have thunk it? I for one never saw this coming. Obama was a one-termer for sure until this stupid road show began. People tune in for Pub debate entertainment value, and they are rarely disappointed when non-real candidates like Bachmann, Paul, Santorum, and Gingrinch, shoot off their mouths — not to mention Perry, the Pub male version of Palin (thank God she is not up there). They don’t tune in to decide who would be the best Pub nominee or the best Prez. Chelsea Handler even had clips on her show starring the Romney-Perry snit, with some commentary about a couple of bitchy, mean teenage girls going at it. It got lots of laughs. On the bright side, once Obama is back in office, the Pubs could turn this into a reality show with Don Trump as moderator and guest appearances by Sarah Palin. The ratings would go through the roof. Note to Pubs. Before this thing gets away from us. Get the focus on the top three or four candidates and get them to agree to only have a few more debates (at the most) among themselves, before the judges from Dancing With The Stars or the Biggest Loser, or Don Trump himself, decides who the nominee (and election loser) will be.
Next up
October 20th, 2011
10:26 am
WASHINGTON—A group of U.S. solar-panel makers Wednesday called on the federal government to punish Chinese rivals with extra duties for allegedly dumping their products on the U.S. market.
Executives of SolarWorld AG, a German-based company that makes solar panels in Oregon, led the group at a news conference here, flanked by both U.S. senators from Oregon.
SolarWorld “can compete with anyone in the world,” said Gordon Brinser, president of the company’s U.S. unit. But, he added, “illegal subsidies in China” have prompted “the Chinese solar industry to come in and gut and own the U.S. solar industry.”
Blame Solyndra on the Chinese.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
10:28 am
captguitarman….just wait until Obama get involved in the debates next year. It is going to be fantastic. Watching him sweat when he is asked about his record over the past 3 years. It is going to be great. The fact is that Perry, Romney or Cain could beat him right now.
td
October 20th, 2011
10:31 am
Road Scholar
October 20th, 2011
8:44 am
LBB: If the repubs would get out of the way, we could see whether it works or fails. Right now it is being held hostage
The Republicans were “out of the way” for the first two years of Obama’s administration. The Republicans had absolutely no power. How are all the reforms working from those two years?
td
October 20th, 2011
10:35 am
captguitarman
October 20th, 2011
10:25 am
These debates mean absolutely mean nothing right now. 4 years ago Obama was killed and considered irrelevant in the dem debates. Clinton, Biden and Dodd were the front runners and won every debate. How did that work out?
Matt
October 20th, 2011
10:36 am
@ Terrance
Your reading comprehension of that article is terrible. First of all the article says the AGI of the top 1% had fallen dramatically. Adjusted gross income? LOL! hahahahaha. No doubt since the top 1% pay less than the top 10% 31% for the top 10% over 30% for the top 1% in AGI it makes complete sense that their AGI would be lower.
If you know your stuff you know that the GROSS income for the top 1% is higher than ever compared to the other 99% of workers. The tax burden falls heaviest on the people making 100-250k a year.
It is lighter on the top 1%.
Jobs are created by only one thing in this country.
Demand. And if 80% of the population has no money to spend then jobs will never be created. No matter how much the top has it can never create jobs. unless they have customers it will never matter.
Chuck Doberman
October 20th, 2011
10:37 am
@ Glass Houses
“Where were you…” In denial glass houses. Republicans have practiced the mindset since Reagan introduced “trickle down”, and with that much practice they’ve become masters. 98% will deny ANY AND ALL CULPABILITY regarding where the economy wallows today, swearing on a stack of Bibles that ALL the ills of the world are caused by Obama, everything was peachy-keen until Jan 2009 and Bush handed over a booming economy with huge surpluses. Obama has bungled opportunities and is struggling to reignite our economy, in part because of his and the Democrats lack of cohesion, focus and realistic viewpoints; also in large part to the GOP A#1 top-priority of ousting Obama after 1 term thereby obstructing anything and everything that is not proposed by a GOP member, regardless of merit or benefit to the nation and it’s people. Party First… period… and they will deny that as well and camoflauge their motives with insult and vitriole. It’s truly sad, as there is no way I and many others imo will ever vote for a representative of a party that denies any and all mistakes (such as their economic workings which contributed greatly to the financial meltdown) and clearly intends to continue along the same path that has led to such destruction. I expect that attitude from a 4 year old… not the prospective leader of the free world. We’re left with Obama further struggling to pass ANYTHING in attempt to improve the situation and quite possibly stumbling further, or we elect the GOP nominee and continue to sap the middle-class of any wealth, and handing even more of the nation’s wealth to the already-wealthy “job creators” (roflmao, these people are concerned with 3 things: profit, profit and more profit… which they’ve maximized the past few years by FIRING/LAYING OFF people) to hoard or invest in other countries. As a member of the middle-class I really have no choice… despite the window-dressing the GOP has made it clear that ONLY big-business and their profits matter and that it’s ok if the large majority of our population is ground into dust, both with their actions in the past and their determination to “stay the course” regardless of casualties.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
10:39 am
When Kennedy was inaugurated, spending was $629 billion. In 2011 under Obozo, spending is $3341 billion. Both numbers are in 2005 dollars.
It’s the spending, stupid.
GT
October 20th, 2011
10:39 am
The Republicans insult America with these cheesecakes they run for office. How Newt got in this beauty contest is another story, but these big hat guys with no cattle that are superficial, is an insult. McCain gave up trying to be intelligent and plagued the country with this Palin routine. Before this Bush Sr. brings in Dan Quayle as its insult to the American voter. They don’t lift the bar they lower it. And then they empower more of these types to think they are presidential timber. The press has found the money is in mass marketing forget being a conscience or a moral compass. They use there old membership to these ideals to camouflage their new found love for money and trash.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
10:40 am
Matt…..sorry dude you are wrong. Jobs are created when an individual has the drive and determination to start a business that provides a good or service for his/her community. Right now there is too much uncertainty by our government for most people to dare to step on a limb to create more jobs.
BTW….when those people who start business do take the risk and become successful then your spoiled brat OWS thugs protest them…….
Jack
October 20th, 2011
10:44 am
The Flat Earth Tax has been proven a loser before and will be again. Maybe it’s more Faith Based Intelligent Design. Good luck going backwards right wingers.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
10:45 am
Jack….Backwards…like Obama has done ANYTHING to make us go forward?? HA.
“The Flat Tax has been proven a loser”…………Really, when? Please provide proof.
Matt
October 20th, 2011
10:56 am
So if demand goes down for a product or income goes down for the vast majority of a population. somehow just starting a business will bring the income in.
As income rises for the masses there will be more income to spend on services.
In the article that was posted AGI for the top 1% had been flat for 40 years. The country thrived and grew in those 40 years.
The last time income inequality was at this level was 1925-1929…….
oh.
CJ
October 20th, 2011
10:56 am
Without seeing Perry’s plan, I can tell you right now that any flat tax proposal will either raise taxes on the poor and middle class while cutting taxes for the wealthy, explode the deficits and national debt, or both. It’s frustrating that the Republican Party seeks to claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility while advocating proposals (Ryan, Cain, and now, Perry) that represent the height of fiscal irresponsibility.
My tax simplification proposal is this: Tax inheritance and investment income at the exact same tax rates as income earned by setting the alarm and going to work every day.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
10:56 am
Road, while I DO have all the answers, I’m never going to run for office again. I found out how much I detest serving with people who lack principles or simply sell them to the highest bidder. I’m much better suited to being a benevolent dictator. . .
mike
October 20th, 2011
10:58 am
It is obvious someone has not watched Perry in the last two debates. Maybe they won’t have any more debates and he won’t have to explain his plan. He does well when he appears alone and no one asks him questions. You know it does take a big effort to come up with an answer.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
10:58 am
Matt….sounds like more of the lower 49% need to get off their butts and become productive to society.
C.C.
October 20th, 2011
11:01 am
Jobs are created by only one thing in this country.
Demand.
Then I demand that Obama get the hell out of the way. He keeps promising jobs that never materialize. Do you believe in his promises? I quit believing after his first failed stimulus.
MiltonMan
October 20th, 2011
11:02 am
Any plan is better than Obozo’s plan:
(1) Give hand-outs to his union buddies in the auto industry
(2) Give hand-outs to his teacher buddies to kept them in the Democratic voting bloc
(3) Attack the evil rich who do not pay their fair share
(4) Hire clowns in his administration who do not even file tax returns.
(5) Keep telling his “Hope and Change” minions that it is Bush & the reps fault.
etc.
etc.
jd
October 20th, 2011
11:09 am
Individuals have a right to profit! eliminate individual debt — demand an end to taxpayer subsidies! If corporations are people — jail those who unethically steal from the government (remember the $80 billion given Brown and Root to get the oil flowing in Iraq? And, how about those contractors who built “shocking” shower stalls for our service members? And — some of the 49% make more than a million dollars and don’t invest in the US… what to do with them?
This conversation is a joke — course a presidential candidate who admits he can’t debate (so much for negotiating on behalf of the country) and failed college economics — is a joke
GT
October 20th, 2011
11:09 am
mike I think you have a different set of thinking in Texas. When Perry answers a question he is doing it in Texas time which half sentences work because it is a doctrine he has memorized.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
11:09 am
jd…..lets see how Obama does without his teleprompter.
getalife
October 20th, 2011
11:09 am
Told ya.
daffy shot in the head.
Another huge accomplishment for our President.
USA!
USA!
USA!
Great job President Obama!
Matt
October 20th, 2011
11:10 am
Actually productivity in this country has skyrocketed in the past 10 years.
Workers are tripling productivity while getting paid the same they did 10 years ago.
You are contributing a false narrative. A narrative that everyone can be as successful as the top 15%. ( I am a member of the top 15% and enjoy my hard work and earnings)
You will always have a lower class. How you treat the lower class and how we as a country choose to function with a lower class determines much of how we view ourself as a society and how our country will function.
We can choose to think that everyone can be millionaires but that is just not possible. You will always have lower income workers.
Money flows through an economy. Money moves upwards not downwards. Which is great! It is awesome that if the lower class has a little more they can contribute to the economy even more. And in turn they fatten the pockets of entrepeneurs and businessman. They give the opportuniy for economic growth.
Without the lower and middle classes there is no economy. They are the 170 million people who spend all of their money. Their spending fuels the upper class.
I have nothing against the upper class. I love it. They are necesarry and needed to grow our economy as well. their ideas and ingenuity helps provide services and better quality of life to the people WHO SPEND THEIR MONEY. Without money to spend in the economy by the 170 million the 3-10 million with 85% of the wealth would not be able to grow their wealth.
They would have no customers.
If you are in business and worried about the taxes on your profit you shouldnt be in business. You should be worried about growing your business to offset the margins and building a successful product.
If an extra 3 cents of each dollar of your profit makes you not want to be in business…then you shouldn’t be in business.
Most successful entrepeneurs are more concerned with running a successful enterprise than short cutting taxes.
Highly successful businessmen like Mark Cuban or Bill Gates could care less if you take an extra 3 cents of each dollar. They will just work that much harder to triple the business VOLUME rather than worry about the cut of the pie they will make the pie bigger for themselves.
it is how the top 1% functions. they dont think small.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
11:15 am
Getalife…..”Way to go Obama???” haha you are delusional! You do know that the rebels of Libya got him, not us you fool!
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
11:15 am
MarkV
October 20th, 2011
10:12 am
++++++++++++++
Obviously, as the line was offered by a politician. Still a good line though.
getalife
October 20th, 2011
11:16 am
Four more years!
No jobs, no cuts.
cons lose.
getalife
October 20th, 2011
11:18 am
Hillary told them where he was hiding.
Another huge foreign policy victory for our President.
USA, USA, USA!
Told ya cons.
Never bet against our country.
You lose again.
Kyle Wingfield
October 20th, 2011
11:19 am
Folks, we’re having some major technical issues with AJC blogs today. I’ll post something new when it’s technically possible (I can post a comment from my phone, but not an entire blog item). Thanks in advance for your patience.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
11:19 am
Getalife….Obama is a great LOSS for our country!
Uncle Jed
October 20th, 2011
11:20 am
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
11:15 am
+++++++++++++++
Ease up on ol’ porncon (gotnolife) as he can’t find his way to Bookman’s Bar & Grill this morning. Just remember this: If Obogey gets credit for everything that happens on his watch then give him all the rope he needs. Unemployment; inflation; division; stagnation; foreclosures; corporate bailouts; banking bailouts; no Happy Meals; Obogeycare; waivers; lavish vacations at taxpayer expense; bus tour campaigning at our expense; union thuggery; ACORN; etc.
GT
October 20th, 2011
11:22 am
If it is all about telepromp why do most of the Republican feel they need a strong debater out there to compete with O? You throw any of this crowd you got running now on stage with O and cover the audience with plastic, O is slicing them up. Particularly your boy Perry, there will be a big Texas hat, some boots but no Perry by the time it is over.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
11:25 am
Yeah, noticed that, Kyle. Coming back to the page a couple of times and it varies as to whether you or Bookman goes missing from the Opinion page.
Not that HE’D be missed . . .
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
11:25 am
GT….”O” is a great speaking (B.S. er). However he has shown a trend to say things that back him into a corner or put his foot in his mouth.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
11:27 am
“If it is all about telepromp”
It’s not.
“why do most of the Republican feel they need a strong debater out there to compete with O?”
They don’t.
getalife
October 20th, 2011
11:44 am
cons are never right about anything Kyle so for now on my comment will be :
Wrong as usual.
What did your candidates say about Libya?
Wrong as usual.
Tuskegee Airmans
October 20th, 2011
11:46 am
LOL
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
11:50 am
Hey, getaclue, go back to the Children’s Table where you belong.
We talk substance here.
Tuskegee Airmans
October 20th, 2011
11:51 am
@Road wouldn’t you vote for ole “tiberius”? lol
getalife
October 20th, 2011
11:53 am
“Hey man nice shot”
“I wish I would have met you, I would say nice shot man”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9mJ82x_l-E&ob=av3n
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
12:04 pm
400,000 new applications for unemployment. Unemployment nationally stuck at 9% Georgia unemployment increasing.
Obozo’s plan isn’t working.
It is time for change.
Jefferson
October 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
I really have no reason to belive he would not do what the GOP did from 2000-2008, run up a credit bill…that’s what they did last time. Did he go to rehab?
larry.333
October 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
LISTEN CLOSE !!
IF HE WIN THE ELECTION ??
YOU WILL NEVER HEAR ABOUT FLAT TAX AGAIN, FROM RICK PERRY’S MOUTH!!!!
larry.333
October 20th, 2011
12:24 pm
HE WILL SAY AND DO WHATSOEVER, IT TAKES TO ADVANCE “HIS” CAREER !!!
“RICK PERRY IS A USER, NOT A PROMOTER” !!
Rafe Hollister
October 20th, 2011
12:37 pm
Airmans? Airmen, I thought was the plural form, but hey you libs know everything, so I must be wrong again.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
12:39 pm
A Long, Steep Drop for Americans’ Standard of Living
Think life is not as good as it used to be, at least in terms of your wallet? You’d be right about that. The standard of living for Americans has fallen longer and more steeply over the past three years than at any time since the US government began recording it five decades ago.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/44962589
————————
Change.
Rafe Hollister
October 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
GT
Dan Quayle is an intellectual giant compared to Joe Biden. I don’t think we have anyone naive and inexperienced enough to compare with Oblamer, maybe Rick Santorium, but I think Rick would eat his lunch in a debate.
jd
October 20th, 2011
12:42 pm
@UGA 1999 – at least O knows how to spell teleprompter. Btw, has Perry figured out which century we got our independence? And you want him to negotiate with who?
Rafe Hollister
October 20th, 2011
12:43 pm
LBB, watch them blame the drop over the last three years, on Mitch McConnell or Sarah Palin.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
12:44 pm
57 states.
Point?
Peter
October 20th, 2011
12:47 pm
Hey Barry @10:39. Spending in 2009, the last Bush budget, was $3517 billion. So, Obama has actually cut spending by almost $170 billion since then. See, fun with stats. Make them say anything.
And revenue has been under 15% for 3 years so we also have a revenue problem. Even conservatives say 18% is normal for spending, even though we’ve only hit that during the dot com bubble when GDP spiked. Realistically, if you can agree that we will have high military spending and the social safety nets of SS and Medicare since the majority of the country wants it, we will spend closer to 20%. No politician is going to gut any of those.
To even think about paying down the debt, we need revenue to exceed spending. (Big duh, right?) But revenue has been gutted by multiple tax cuts for the people that have benefited the most over the last 30 years. The income spread has exploded, with the top 10% getting almost all the gain and the middle and lower class actually losing ground. It’s the politicians favorite ploy, but the Republicans have made it their gospel. No matter the economy or the fiscal situation, you can solve it with a tax cut, especially for people that don’t need it and probably won’t spend it.
And it hasn’t done what they promised. The rising tide has not lifted all boats. The economy continues to go through cycles, booms and busts, but we have a fiscal policy set like it will always be a boom. I wish someone would talk like a grownup and explain that we need to raise revenue and cut spending. Oh, wait, someone did talk about the need for a balanced approach. Who was that?
Junior Samples
October 20th, 2011
12:53 pm
Matt, nice post!
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
12:53 pm
Peter, incorrect. Note that my stats were expressed in 2005 dollars. Spending in 2009, expressed in 2009 dollars, was $3172 billion.
You have failed.
It’s the spending, stupid.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
October 20th, 2011
12:54 pm
Here are the data, if you’re interested:
http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
#occupy my desk...
October 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
Sad State of Affairs – killing Bin Laden isn’t “handling terrorism” holmes… That plot had been in the works since like 07 and had nothing to do with the White House then either. The bottom line is that the Middle East is actually a scarier place now that it was. This is one place I will support Barry O, we need an alternative to ME crude – even if that means drilling elsewhere until a suitable alternative is found.
Why can we make synthetic oil but not synthetic gasoline? Anyone?
getalife
October 20th, 2011
1:08 pm
I challenged you cons to name one time you are right about anything and I got nothing.
If you are dead wrong about everything why continue to run your mouths?
Where is your humility to admit you are wrong and listen to the people that are right?
Where is your credibility?
@@
October 20th, 2011
1:10 pm
Gadhafi’s dead?
Kewl!
Now about that escaped monkey in Ohio. Is it true he was some cat’s last meal? I sure hope so.
A sad situation to be sure, but you won’t catch me crying over the death of a monkey.
getalife
October 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
@@,
Iraq is not our ally, they are Iran’s ally.
Libya will be our ally, pay us back the costs of helping them and sell us their oil.
No US deaths.
This is the Obama doctrine.
UGA 1999
October 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
getalife…..here are some facts for ya…..www.gallup.com
Can you say 39%? It is ok I am sure you and Obama are used to being the minority.
Kyle Wingfield
October 20th, 2011
1:26 pm
Thanks for everyone’s patience today. We had quite a network doozy Chez AJC this morning. A post about Libya, Gadhafi and NATO’s future is now available for your reading pleasure upstairs.
marc
October 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
Every GOP debate makes Obama stronger…..what a bunch of clowns.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
“I challenged you cons to name one time you are right about anything and I got nothing.”
Because no one even remotely takes you seriously, getaclue.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
October 20th, 2011
2:38 pm
“Every GOP debate makes Obama stronger….”
That’s right, because the polls show . . . never mind.
dixiedemons
October 20th, 2011
3:12 pm
What happened to Gov. Deals Economic Plan…… We are at 10.3 % unemployment in Ga. UE benefits are getting ready to be cut to pay back some of the money we borrowed from the Federal Govt to pay UE benefits because we stopped collecting money from he businesses that were suppose to pay it.
GT
October 20th, 2011
3:20 pm
You know what earns more points than winning a debate? Killing Gadhafi, and doing it on another country’s dime. O has done it again. Bush spent most of his administration chasing and missing these character, O does it while the house is on fire and he has 15 distractions. All this and O is a great debater too.
redneckbluedog
October 20th, 2011
3:36 pm
Congratulations to the Libyan people, NATO, and the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Military Barack Hussien Obama….He and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a HUGE political risk by involving the United States in the Libyan uprising, but it was necessary to avoid mass slaughter…It has paid off in a Libyan Rebel victory and the death of another Muslim terrorist..!!! My best wishes to the people of Libya, who have been under FASCIST rule for over 20 years..!!! This is what happens when the few control the many…when 60% of the wealth is in the hands of 1% of the people..!!!!!
Martin Williams
October 20th, 2011
5:21 pm
What is wrong with the people of Texas anyway………they elected George W Bush and Rick Perry to govern their State, wow. Believe Rick Perry will be the last person on this planet to be president of the United States of America. Most of America not all and not even one third knows the difference between an idiot and someone with a great sense of…..and Perry is not. Romney is the GOP’s best chance, anybody else, is a landslide victory for Obama.
Dan L
October 21st, 2011
2:42 pm
In response to JF McNamara, the people approaching retirement and in retirement are not the clowns that drove the country into the gound. We are the clowns that fought for our country and worked our tails off since we were 14 years old so idiots like you have the freedoms to say whatever you want, even when it shows your lack of knowledge, generalizations, and how truly ignorant you are. If you want to blame someone for this economic mess, look at Congress and other idiots like yourself including Barney Frank.
heather jones
October 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
Like another election will change anything
http://OsamaObamaBIDENbiNLAden.blogspot.com/