CLINTON AND OBAMA VOTE TO RAISE TAXES ON MIDDLE CLASS
 
RALEIGH—Early yesterday morning, Senate Democrats passed their fiscal year 2009 budget. Both Sens. Clinton and Obama cast votes in favor of the budget which includes the largest tax hike in U.S. history.

Sens. Clinton And Obama Voted In Favor Of The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget. "Adoption of the concurrent resolution that would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next five years. The resolution would allow up to $1 trillion in discretionary spending for 2009." (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Clinton And Obama Voted Yea)

Previously on the campaign trail, Clinton and Obama have claimed they would provide tax relief for the middle class, but the Democrats’ budget proposal would raise taxes on Americans earning as little as $31,850.

Clinton: "I Will Provide Tax Relief For The Middle Class..." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, Remarks On America's Economic Challenges, Knoxville, IA, 11/19/07)

Obama: "I’ll Give A Tax Cut To Working People..." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At A Campaign Rally, Denver, CO, 1/30/08)

The Democrats' Budget Would Raise Taxes On Individuals Earning As Little As $31,850. "Under both Democratic plans, tax rates would increase by 3 percentage points for each of the 25 percent, 28 percent and 33 percent brackets. At present, the 25 percent bracket begins at $31,850 for individuals and $63,700 for married couples.” (Andrew Taylor, "Presidential Hopefuls To Vote On Budget," The Associated Press, 3/13/08)

Chairman Linda Daves, North Carolina Republican Party, made the following statement:

“Democrats have the wrong idea on the economy. Clinton and Obama have attempted to explain the tax increase by saying it will only affect the richest Americans. However, even a cursory look at the numbers proves those statements to be untrue. Making $31,000 a year does not qualify an individual as rich. Voters want a President who believes that Americans know how to spend their hard-earned money better than government does. The Democrat candidates have shown with their votes today that they cannot be trusted to keep their promises to middle-class Americans. Clinton and Obama believe that every dollar earned is one the government could spend. When the Democrats descend on North Carolina to campaign soon, I would advise voters to hide their wallets.”

 

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