Will Obama Continue To Promote Agendas That Are Out Of Touch With Florida Priorities?
WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was issued today by the Republican National Committee:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/RNCLOGO)
OBAMA'S HIGH TAX PLATFORM WOULD HURT FLORIDA TAXPAYERS AND THE STATE'S ECONOMY
Obama Has Proposed A Laundry List Of Tax Hikes, But Florida Taxpayers Already Have A Large Enough Tax Burden:
Obama Has Called For Higher Income Taxes, Social Security Taxes, Investment Taxes, And Corporate Taxes, As Well As "Massive New Domestic Spending." "Obama's transformation, if you go by his campaign so far, would mean higher income taxes, higher Social Security taxes, higher investment taxes, higher corporate taxes, massive new domestic spending, and a healthcare plan that perhaps could be the next step to a full-scale, single-payer system. Is that what most Americans want, someone who will fulfill a Democratic policy wish list?" (James Pethokoukis, "Barack Hussein Reagan? Ronald Wilson Obama?" U.S. News & World Report's "Capital Commerce" Blog, www.usnews.com, 2/12/08)
Florida Taxpayers Had To Work Until April 26 Of This Year To Pay Off Their Total Federal, State And Local Tax Burden For 2008. "Tax Freedom Day is the day when Americans finally have earned enough money to pay off their total tax bill for the year. In 2008, Florida taxpayers had to work until April 26 to pay their total tax bill, ranking it 9th highest in the nation." (The Tax Foundation Website, www.taxfoundation.org, Accessed 5/12/08)
Obama Supports Nearly Doubling The Capital Gains Tax Rate, Which Would Mean A Tax Hike For Many FloridaTaxpayers:
Obama: "I Think That We Can Have A Capital Gains Rate That Is Higher Than 15 Percent." (CNBC's "Closing Bell," 3/27/08)
-- CNBC's Maria Bartiromo Said Obama Is Considering Nearly Doubling
The Tax Rate. Bartiromo: "Right now, as you know, the cap gains tax
is at 15%... He [Obama] has said, and he told me today, that he
won't go above 28%. So we are talking about the possibility of a
doubling in the capital gains tax." (CNBC's "Closing
Bell," 3/27/08)
In 2005, The Average Capital Gains And Dividend Income Reported Per Tax Return In Florida Was $10,376. On Average, It Accounted For 18.11 Percent Of Adjusted Gross Income. ("Dividends And Capital Gains Income Compared To Other Income, 2005," The Tax Foundation, taxfoundation.org, 7/16/07)
In 2005, Over 1.6 Million Florida Taxpayers Reported Capital Gains Income. (Internal Revenue Service Website, "Individual Income And Tax Data, By State And Size Of Adjusted Gross Income, Tax Year 2005," www.irs.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
702,324 Florida Taxpayers With Adjusted Gross Incomes Of Less Than $50,000 Reported Capital Gains. (Internal Revenue Service Website, "Individual Income And Tax Data, By State And Size Of Adjusted Gross Income, Tax Year 2005," www.irs.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
Obama's Opposition To The Gas Tax Holiday Ignores The Needs Of Florida Families:
Obama Opposes Gas Tax Relief. "Obama does not support the 'gas tax holiday' and has said the average motorist would not benefit significantly from such a suspension ..." (Sara Kugler, "Clinton Focuses On Obama's Opposition To Suspending Federal Gas Tax For Summer Driving Months," The Associated Press, 4/28/08)
As Of May 20, 2008, The Average Price For A Gallon Of Regular Unleaded Gasoline In Florida Was Over $3.82. (AAA Website, www.fuelgaugereport.com, Accessed 5/20/08)
Obama Has Also Called For A Tax On Coal And Natural Gas, Which Would Negatively Impact Energy Costs For Floridians:
Obama: "What We Ought To Tax Is Dirty Energy, Like Coal And, To A Lesser Extent, Natural Gas." ("Q&A With Sen. Barack Obama," San Antonio Express-News, 2/19/08)
Most Of Florida's Natural Gas Use Is For Electricity Generation. "Florida's natural gas consumption is high and has grown rapidly in recent years, due primarily to increasing demand from the electric power sector, which dominates State natural gas use." (Energy Information Administration Website, tonto.eia.doe.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
Natural Gas And Coal Typically Account For One-Third Of Net Electricity Generation In Florida. "Electricity generation in Florida is among the highest in the United States. Natural gas and coal are the leading fuels for electricity production, and each typically accounts for about one-third of net generation."(Energy Information Administration Website, tonto.eia.doe.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
OBAMA IS WRONG FOR FLORIDA'S SMALL BUSINESSES
Small Businesses Are Vital To Florida's Economy:
In 2006: "Florida Had An Estimated Total Of 1,942,200 Small Businesses."(Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, "2007 Small Business Profile: Florida," www.sba.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
99 Percent Of Florida's Employer Firms Are Small Businesses. "Employer firms totaled 489,500 in 2006, up 3.3 percent from the previous year. Of this total, an estimated 99.0 percent, or 484,600 were small." (Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, "2007 Small Business Profile: Florida," www.sba.gov, Accessed 5/20/08)
Obama's Payroll Tax Hike Would Hurt Florida's Small Businesses:
Obama Supports Lifting The Earnings Cap On Payroll Taxes. Obama: "I think that lifting the cap is probably going to be the best option."(Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)
Michael Tanner Of The Cato Institute: "Small Businesses Would Be Particularly Hard Hit. In Fact, About One-Third Of The Workers Affected By Raising The Cap Would Be Small Business Owners."(Michael Tanner, "Keep The Cap," The Cato Institute, www.cato.org, 6/8/05)
"The Self-Employed Would Be Subject To A Double Whammy, Since They Pay Both The Employee And Employer Portion Of The Payroll Tax." (Editorial, "Caps Off For Obama," Investor's Business Daily, 9/25/07)
-- In 2006, Florida Had Over A Million Self-Employed. "Self employment
(incorporated and unincorporated) totaled 1,070,700 in 2006, an increase
from 1,039,000 in 2005."(Small Business Administration Office Of
Advocacy, "2007 Small Business Profile: Florida," www.sba.gov,
Accessed 5/20/08)
Obama's Income Tax Hike Would Hurt Florida's Small Businesses:
Obama Would Roll Back The Tax Cuts On Americans Earning Over $250,000. Obama: "[I] would roll back the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000." (Sen. Barack Obama, CNN Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Manchester, NH, 6/3/07)
"The Clear Implication Is That Raising The U.S. Personal Income Tax Rates Would Also Stunt Small Business Entrepreneurship. Yet This Is Precisely What All Of The Democratic Presidential Candidates ... Propose." (Editorial, "Corporate Tax War," The Wall Street Journal, 12/4/07)
At Least 55 Percent Of Small Businesses File Their Taxes As Individuals. "Small businesses and individual entrepreneurs are the driving force of rapid innovation and economic growth in this country. At least 55% of them file their taxes as individuals."(Editorial, "Caps Off For Obama," Investor's Business Daily, 9/25/07)
A Significant Percentage Of U.S. Taxpayers That Fall Into The Top Income Tax Bracket Are Small Businesses. "Overall, 28 percent of all taxpayers in the 'richest' fifth (or quintile) report business income. At even higher income levels, however, the percentage of taxpayers with business income increases. Of those taxpayers exposed to the highest individual tax rate (39.6 percent in 1999), 62 percent have business income. The nearby chart displays the distribution of business income by taxpayer group."(Scott A. Hodge, "Own A Business? You May Be Rich: Two-Thirds Of Taxpayers Hit By Highest Tax Rate Have Business Income," www.taxfoundation.org, 5/5/03)
Obama's Health Care Plan Includes A Mandate That Amounts To A Tax On Employers, Which Would Depress Worker Wages And Force Employers To Eliminate Jobs:
"Mandates That Require Employers To Provide Health Benefits Or Pay A Percentage Of Their Payrolls As A Tax -- A Proposal Backed By Sens. Hillary Clinton And Barrack Obama -- Would Result In Lower Wages For Some Employees."(Guy Boulton, "Better Benefits Or Higher Wages?" The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/5/08)
Small Businesses Would Be Hardest Hit. "The biggest impact would be on small businesses, which are less likely to offer health benefits, and industries that employ more low-wage workers."(Guy Boulton, "Better Benefits Or Higher Wages?" The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/5/08)
OBAMA IS WRONG FOR FLORIDA ON FREE TRADE
Florida's Economy Benefits From Free Trade As Exports Have Increased 80 Percent Since 2003:
Florida's Exports Totaled $44.8 Billion In 2007, Up 80 Percent Since 2003. "Florida's export shipments of merchandise in 2007 totaled $44.8 billion, up 80 percent from $25.0 billion in 2003. Florida ranked sixth among the states in terms of total exports in 2007." (Office of Trade and Industry Information, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department Of Commerce, "Florida: Exports, Jobs, And Foreign Investment," www.ita.doc.gov, 4/25/08)
Florida Exported To 222 Foreign Destinations In 2007, With Its Largest Markets In Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico and Columbia. "Florida exported globally to 222 foreign destinations in 2007. The state's largest market was Brazil; export shipments of $4.0 billion went to this market. Brazil was followed by NAFTA partner Canada ($3.7 billion), Venezuela($3.2 billion), Mexico($3.1 billion) and Colombia($2.1 billion)." (Office of Trade and Industry Information, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department Of Commerce, "Florida: Exports, Jobs, And Foreign Investment," www.ita.doc.gov, 4/25/08)
Obama's Protectionism Is Wrong For Florida:
Obama Pledged To Renegotiate NAFTA With The Threat Of A "Potential Opt-Out." NBC's Tim Russert: "A simple question. Will you as president say to Canada and Mexico, this [NAFTA] has not worked for us, we are out?" Obama: "I will make sure that we renegotiate in the same way that Senator Clinton talked about, and I think actually Senator Clinton's answer on this one is right. I think we should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced." (Sen. Barack Obama, MSNBC Democrat Presidential Debate, Cleveland, OH, 2/26/08)
Obama Has Pledged Opposition To The Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Obama: "The violence against unions in Colombia would make a mockery of the very labor protections that we've insisted be included in these types of agreements." (WHTM-TV Harrisburg's "News," 4/7/08)
Obama Opposes The South Korean Free Trade Agreement. Obama spokesperson Jen Psaki: "Senator Obama does not support the South Korea free trade agreement in its current form..." (Teddy Davis, "Clinton And Obama Follow Edwards On Trade," ABC News, abcnews.go.com, 4/23/07)
European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson Criticized Obama's Protectionist Stances. "Peter Mandelson, European Trade Commissioner, has said the protectionist stances taken by the US presidential candidates risk taking the world trading system back by decades." (Alan Beattie, "EU Trade Chief Hits At Democrat Hopefuls," Financial Times, 5/7/08)
-- Mandelson: "It is irresponsible to be pretending to people you can
erect new protection, new tariff barriers around your economy in this
21st century global age and still succeed in sustaining peoples'
living standards and jobs. It is a mirage and they know it."(Alan
Beattie, "EU Trade Chief Hits At Democrat Hopefuls," Financial
Times, 5/7/08)
OBAMA WRONG ON CUBA
Obama's Willingness To Meet With Rogue Leaders, Including Current Cuban President Raul Castro, Has Been Criticized By Members Of The Cuban Community In Florida:
At A February 2008 Debate, Obama Said He Would Meet With Raul Castro Without Preconditions. CNN's Campbell Brown: "Senator Obama, just to follow up, you had said in a previous CNN debate that you would meet with the leaders of Cuban, Iran, North Korea, among others, so presumably you would be willing to meet with the new leader of Cuba." Obama: "That's correct. Now, keep in mind that the starting point for our policy in Cuba should be the liberty of the Cuban people. And I think we recognize that that liberty has not existed throughout the Castro regime. And we now have an opportunity to potentially change the relationship between the United States and Cuba after over half a century. I would meet without preconditions, although Senator Clinton is right that there has to be preparation." (Sen. Barack Obama, CNN/Univision Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Austin, TX, 2/21/08)
In Florida, Obama "Will Have To Defend His Support For Easier Negotiations With America's Enemies" Which Has "Evoked The Ire Of Some Cuban Groups In Florida." "Sen. Barack Obama will have to defend his support for easier negotiations with America's enemies when he addresses a leading Cuban-American exile group this week during his first campaign stop in Florida in nine months. The professed desire by the likely Democratic presidential nominee to hold direct talks with Cuba's communist leaders if elected has evoked the ire of some Cuban groups in Florida1:place>, who maintain that no such talk should be held until real democratic reform takes place on the island." (Carmen Gentile, "Obama Faces Heat From Cuban Exiles," The
-- "'We Think There Should Be No Negotiations Or Conversation
With Raul Castro Until He Has Released All Political Prisoners And Made
Moves Toward Democracy,' Said Orlando Gutierrez, Directorio
Cubano's National Secretary." (Carmen Gentile, "Obama
Faces Heat From Cuban Exiles," The Washington Times, 5/18/08)
The New York Sun's Benny Avni: "I am no fan of the Cuban embargo, but removing it now - or announcing a presidential trip to meet with Raul Castro - would indicate that America views this familial transfer of power as real change, rather than what it is: a maneuver meant to leave the brutal Castro legacy intact." (Benny Avni, Op-Ed, "Obama Vs. Bad Guys: To Talk Or Not To Talk?" The New York Sun, 2/25/08)
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro Said Obama And Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Would Be A Winning Presidential Ticket:
"Ailing Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Is Tipping Democratic Candidates Hillary Clinton And Barack Obama To Team Up And Win The U.S. Presidential Election." (Anthony Boadle, "Castro's Tip: Clinton-Obama The Winning Ticket," Reuters, 8/27/07)
-- "Clinton Leads Obama In The Race To Be The Democratic Nominee For
The November 2008 Election, And Castro Said They Would Make A Winning
Combination." (Anthony Boadle, "Castro's Tip:
Clinton-Obama The Winning Ticket," Reuters, 8/27/07)
Obama Has Been Inconsistent In His Support For Normalized Relations With Cuba:
In 2003, Obama Said He Supported The Normalization Of Relations With Cuba. Obama: "I believe that normalization of relations with Cuba would help the oppressed and poverty-stricken Cuban people while setting the stage for a more democratic government once Castro inevitably leaves the scene." (Lynn Sweet, "Obama's 2003 IVI-IPO Questionnaire May Be Getting Closer Scrutiny," Chicago Sun-Times' "Lynn Sweet's Blog," www.suntimes.com, 12/11/07)
But As A Presidential Candidate, Obama Has Backed Away From His Earlier Support For Normalized Relations With Cuba. "Democrat Barack Obama supported the 'normalization of relations with Cuba' when he was a U.S. Senate candidate in 2003, taking a more liberal position than he has espoused as a presidential candidate." (Beth Reinhard, "Candidates Toughen Talk On Cuba In S. Fla," The Miami Herald, 12/13/07)
Obama Did Not Explain The Shift In His Views On U.S. Policy Toward Cuba. "That position contrasts with the stiffer stance Obama took in a column about Cuba in The Miami Herald in August, followed three days later by a speech in Miami. He called for allowing Cuban-Americans to freely visit and send money to relatives on the island, but said the embargo should remain until there are signs of democratic reform... Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki reiterated the candidate's current position but did not explain his shift from 2003." (Beth Reinhard, "Candidates Toughen Talk On Cuba In S. Fla," The Miami Herald, 12/13/07)
Obama Has Been Inconsistent In His Views On The Cuban Embargo:
In A 2003 Questionnaire, Obama Said He Opposed The Helms-Burton Act Codifying The Cuban Embargo. Question: "Do you support... the Helms-Burton Act?" Obama: "No, this legislation only makes adversaries of our allies and perpetuates our go-it-alone foreign policy."(Lynn Sweet, "Obama's 2003 IVI-IPO Questionnaire May Be Getting Closer Scrutiny," Chicago Sun-Times' "Lynn Sweet's Blog," www.suntimes.com, 12/11/07)
"In January 2004, Obama Said It Was Time 'To End The Embargo With Cuba' Because It Had 'Utterly Failed In The Effort To Overthrow Castro.'" ("Top Obama Flip-Flops," The Washington Post, 2/25/08)
-- Obama: "I think it's time for us to end the embargo with
Cuba." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, IL, 1/20/04)
-- Obama: "The Cuban embargo has failed to provide the sorts of rising
standards of living and has squeezed the innocents in Cuba, and utterly
failed in the effort to overthrow Castro...so it's time for us to
acknowledge that that particular policy has failed." (Sen. Barack
Obama, Remarks At Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 1/20/04)
But In 2007, Obama Said He Supported The Cuban Embargo. "[Obama] said he would continue the trade embargo." (Beth Reinhard, "Obama Stresses 'Libertad,'" The Miami Herald, 8/26/07)
-- Obama: "As president, I'll maintain the embargo -- it's
an important inducement for change because we know that Castro's
death will not guarantee freedom." (Beth Reinhard, "It's
Got A Good Beat And You Can Dance To It," The Miami Herald's
"Naked Politics" Blog, www.miamiherald.com, 8/25/07)
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