“ It's time for the Bush tax cuts to expire. These giveaways have done little to stimulate the US economy, which is stagnant because the vast majority of Americans have too little purchasing power. The savings can be applied to both deficit reduction and workforce training programs that will genuinely benefit economically distressed areas including the 14th district. ”

“ The “Bush Era” tax cuts were created after the crisis of 9/11/01 to stimulate the US economy. They should have been ended when the economy improved, but unfortunately were not ended. They reduced federal revenue and contributed to the national debt at a time when a stimulus was not needed. Now this tax cut should be ended for those with earned and unearned income over $250,000 per year. Also the reduction of the social security tax should be ended before it, too, becomes ingrained in our perceived national need. All should contribute for the benefit of all. ”

“ The “Bush-era” tax cuts were specifically designed to benefit the wealthy and the privileged. The promise that “job-creators” would use these tax cuts to create employment opportunities has not happened. The loss of jobs and the failure of the Bush tax cuts to produce jobs have caused hardship for citizens throughout the 14th Congressional District. ”

“ The cost of extending the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers is astronomical, and it will simply be impossible to balance our budgets without bringing in additional revenue. Rather than simply extending or eliminating the Bush tax cuts, I believe we must pass comprehensive tax reform to create a simpler, more fair tax code. Our tax laws were last overhauled in 1986, and have grown in complexity every year since. Loopholes allow millionaires and billionaires to pay lower marginal rates than middle class families. Our corporate tax rate is one of the highest in the world while the effective tax rate for many companies is much lower, and in some cases, negative. By expanding the base of taxable individuals and companies, simplifying the tax code by eliminating or capping tax expenditures, and scrutinizing tax loopholes with the same close eye we’ve used to examine earmarks and spending in recent years, we can create a fairer tax system that brings in more revenue while actually lowering rates for most taxpayers. ”

“ Spending cuts must target the War Time defense budget, prison industry and eliminate tax loopholes that generate obscene multinational corporate profits that don't generate commensurate American jobs. Government must undertake a Marshall-like stimulus plan with public and private sector partnering that will grow our economy with a focus on single mothers. If we can build a bridge, we can build a family with proper resource allocation for schools including pre-school, daycare, housing, job training and mass transit. ”

“ The Bush tax cuts were really great for the 1% and less than a band-aid for the 99%. Too many citizens in the 14th that are either looking for work, under employed working poor or hopeless have not benefited because they had little to begin with. Those in the 1% and heads of Multi-national Corporation enjoyed an unfair advantage and have yet to share their largess with the rest of the district or nation. We can do better for the 14th by ensuring a fairer sharing of the profits by fairly taxing those that have made much more so that we can help meet the needs of those that so much less. ”