Competing ads on the tax debate have recently been released. It's interesting to compare how Democrats and Republicans are framing the income tax issue.
Naturally, Republicans can't come right out and say that they want to lower taxes for the wealthy, because polls shows that most Americans favor asking the wealthy to pay more taxes. However, those polls also show that there is a concern about taxing small businesses. So, this Olympic-themed ad plays on people's fears by claiming that "small businesses" would be hurt by the Democrat's tax solution:
America's the greatest country in the world, but if taxes spike, small business will be forced to start from behind. Trillions in tax hikes that could cost 700,000 jobs and make small businesses weaker against its competitors. Tell liberals in Congress to vote to stop the tax hike. Let small businesses compete for the gold.
Look at that imagery! The athlete from China wins the Gold, and Republicans want you to think that it has nothing to do with big businesses shipping our jobs to China for a competitive edge over small business. You are supposed to think China is winning because President Obama wants to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Too bad for Republicans, reality paints a different picture:
Under a White House proposal approved this week in the Senate, tax rates would rise on singles earning $200,000 or more a year, and on married couples earning $250,000 or more — the top 2% of earners.
Those earning above the threshold would also see their tax rates on capital gains and dividends rise to 20%, rather than the current 15%. The estate tax would increase to 55%, from 35%, with the first $1 million of inheritance exempted from tax.
Most small-business owners file individual returns, and under the Obama plan about 1 million of them, fewer than 3%, make enough money to be hit by the tax hike, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
Republicans campaign against Obama's tax plan
I wonder if the same small business who were stiffed by the other candidates in the Republican primaries were in that "fewer than 3%" category:
Bachmann’s camp owes $935,000 to vendors across the country.
Other Republican contenders such as Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum owe even more; their campaigns are $4.85 million and $1.69 million in the hole, respectively, according to their most recent federal campaign reports.
Unpaid Jon Huntsman vendors lawyered up earlier this year, and the former Utah governor responded by personally loaning money his campaign $1.54 million since March to clear most, but not all debts.
While it’s common for presidential campaigns to take their time closing up shop, the small businesses left holding the bag are asking: Whatever happened to fiscal responsibility?
Presidential also-rans stiff small businesses
Yes, what ever did happen to fiscal responsibility? Republicans don't pay their own bills but they're worried about their taxes being raised?
Democrats have taken a different approach when framing the tax debate in their ads using a bit of humor to get their message across:
Good News! Republicans want to cut your taxes. Not you (image of Average working American). You (image of wealthy man)! And you deserve a break. Afterall, these things (imges of yachts, private jets, mansions) are expensive. So Republicans want to give you, the millionaire, another tax break. All while charging Seniors $6,000 more for Medicare. This guy? Her? (average citizens) They don't need it. They'll just buy groceries and pay the mortgage. But you (weathly poeple boarding private jet)? You're going places and Congressman Brian Bilbray will knock down anyone in your way.
The posted ad is directed at Congressman Brian Bilbray (CA-52). Additionals ads have been released by the DCCC for other Congresscritters:
Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-24),
Vicky Hartzler (MO-4),
Tim Murphy (PA-18),
Steve King (IA-4),
Scott Rigell (VA-2),
Scott Desjarlais (TN-4),
Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6),
Rick Crawford (AR-1),
Nan Hayworth (NY-18),
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8),
Michael Grimm (NY-11),
Mary Bono Mack (CA-36),
Larry Bucshon (IN-8),
Kristi Noem (SD-AL),
Judy Biggert (IL-11),
Jon Runyan (NJ-3),
Joe Heck (NV-3),
Jeff Denham (CA-10),
Dan Lungren (CA-7),
Chris Gibson (NY-19),
Bobby Schilling (IL-17), and
Bill Johnson (OH-6).