Obama administration open to middle class tax increases

By Brian Kirwin | Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 | Policy

Call it “Dashed Hope.”

The “Change We Can Believe In” wasn’t too believable. Barack Obama the candidate bragged about all the tax cuts he’d deliver. His campaign was based on “easing the burden on hardworking Americans by offering middle-class tax cuts three times the size of McCain’s.” Remember? 95% of Americans get a tax cut, right?

Forget that. Not only does middle class America not get a tax cut, but a tax increase may well be in the offing!

To get the economy back on track will President Barack Obama have to break his pledge not to raise taxes on 95% of Americans? In a “This Week” exclusive, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told me “we’re going to have to do what’s necessary.”

Geithner was clear that he believes a key component of economic recovery is deficit reduction. When I gave him several opportunities to rule out a middle class tax hike, he wouldn’t do it. (This Week)

Get it straight, Stephanopoulis. Obama pledge was NOT no new middle class taxes. His campaign website still says “Obama and Biden will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 95 percent of working Americans the tax relief they need.”

Tax relief means tax cut. He promised a tax cut for 95% of Americans. Of course, the Democrat who promised a tax cut finds every excuse not to give one once they fool the voters into voting for them.

But Obama is actually thinking of turning around and socking it to middle class America with an actual tax increase in the middle of a recession!

It’s discouraging. The energy and excitement that Obama was a transcendent figure that comes along once in a generation generated a truly remarkable election.

It’s a shame that all that hope was generated under false pretenses.

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