David Catanese
points to
these words from GOP freshman Richard Hanna of New York:
“I do think there is room at the very top for marginal tax changes. I don’t think you want to hurt businesses that are making $250,000 or $500,000. Those are the real people who create the opportunity to put people to work. I think people who make $1 million a year (could pay more). … Give (a tax break) to someone who is going to spend it or give a break to someone who needs it.”
Assuming the quote (which comes from the Utica Observer-Dispatch) accurately reflects what Hanna actually said, it's basically the same thing as the Buffett Rule: the idea that millionaires ought to pay at least as much in taxes as middle-class folks. In fact, Hanna takes it a step further and points out that if you're going to use tax cuts to stimulate the economy, then you need to make sure the tax cuts go to people who will spend the extra cash.
But if you're excited to finally see some common ground on a controversial issue, there's a catch: Hanna delivered his remarks before President Obama announced his plan. They were were published on Saturday and he made them earlier the week; President Obama didn't leak word of the Buffett Rule until Saturday evening.
So at the time that Hanna expressed his support for the idea behind the Buffett Rule, he didn't know he was getting behind what was about to become a central plank of President Obama's deficit proposal. Now that Obama's endorsed the idea, I'll bet Hanna will be beating a hasty retreat. I mean, heaven forbid a Republican should support something that President Obama thinks is a good idea, right?