Tax Policy Center
Senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan research organizationPROFILE
Roberton 'Bob' Williams
Guest
FROM Roberton 'Bob' Williams
Which Way, L.A.?
Tax Fairness and the Presidential Campaign Is America's tax system fair? President Obama calls progressive taxation " the defining issue of our time ," an question of "economic fairness." The Republicans call it "class warfare." Elizabeth Warren, who helped the Consumer Protection Bureau and is now a Democratic candidate for the US Senate, recently spoke out against the tax disparity on Jon Stewart's The Daily Show. Should the rich pay a higher tax rate? Is that a penalty for achieving the American Dream?
To the Point
Tax Fairness and the Presidential Campaign When Mitt Romney released his tax returns, they showed a rate of just 14 percent on $20 million in profits, dividends and interest. The next day in his State of the Union address, President Obama called for tax reform that's become known as the Buffett Rule, calling economic fairness "the defining issue of our time." The President called for a 30 percent minimum tax on millionaires. "Tax fairness" will be part of his reelection campaign. Romney says it's all about "envy," and Republicans call it "class warfare." We ask a prominent pollster if Americans really care. Whatever happened to "progressive" taxation, where the richest pay the highest rates of all? With lower rates, do they really invest in creating new jobs? If their rates are increased, will they be penalized for achieving the American Dream?
To the Point
The Flat Tax America's "progressive" income tax takes a larger percentage from high earners than those lower down on the scale. At the moment, there are six tax "brackets," ranging from 10 to 35 percent. Republican presidential candidates Herman Cain and Rick Perry want to replace "progressive" taxation with new versions of the so-called "flat tax," which begins with the idea that all income should be taxed at the same rate. Abraham Lincoln levied the first "flat tax" to finance the Civil War. Since then, the idea's been revived by candidates of both parties, including California Democrat Jerry Brown, when he ran for president in 1992 and Republican Steve Forbes in 1996. What is the "flat tax?" Is it simple? Is it fair? Why do proposals often shift the burden from wealthy taxpayers to those in the Middle Class?
Which Way, L.A.?
Income Redistribution: Basic Fairness or 'Class Warfare?' The stimulus package already passed and signed into law provides tax credits for 95 percent of American workers. Now the President wants to increase taxes on the wealthy, partly by letting the Bush tax cuts expire. One of his goals is to reduce the growing gap between the rich and the poor. We hear a debate and look at other factors that cause economic dislocation, including technology, changes in the work force and increased anxiety.
To the Point
Income Redistribution: Basic Fairness or 'Class Warfare?' The gap between rich and poor has been growing fast. The Bush tax cuts give $20 a year to the bottom fifth of wage earners and $118,000 to millionaires. President Obama’s stimulus package already passed and signed into law provides tax credits for 95 percent of American workers. The Obama budget says wealth is not “trickling down” and that raising taxes on the top three million families will help “economic opportunity to trickle up.” Republicans call that “class warfare.” We hear a debate and look at other factors that cause economic dislocation, including technology, changes in the work force and increased anxiety.
To the Point
Candidates Vow to Help Swing Voters on Eve of Last Debate John McCain and Barack Obama both know that when it comes to the economy, the next president will have to hit the ground running. But the ground keeps shifting and the crisis has produced demands for detailed proposals from both candidates. On Monday, Obama outlined a rescue plan worth about $110 billion. Yesterday, McCain countered with about $52 billion. After a day when stocks have been falling again, voters will see the candidates under pressure tonight in unpredictable circumstances. We compare what they've come up with so far on foreclosures, investments, home mortgages and all kinds of taxes. With three weeks until election day, which constituencies are they aiming at? In the debate, will McCain attack as promised? Will Obama dare to be dull?
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To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.