Democrats Propose U.S. Income Tax Surcharge To Pay For Iraq War

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON: Democrats, seeking to highlight the costs of the Iraq war, on Tuesday proposed a U.S. income tax surcharge to finance the approximately $150 billion (€105.8 billion) annual cost of operations in Iraq.

The plan's sponsors acknowledged it is unlikely to pass, but Democrats have been seeking in recent weeks to compare the approximately $190 billion (€134.1 billion) cost of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in 2008 with the $23 billion (€16.2 billion) increase that Democrats want in domestic programs. President George W. Bush has threatened to veto most of those domestic spending bills.

The plan, unveiled by Reps. David Obey, John Murtha and Jim McGovern would require low- and middle-income taxpayers to add 2 percent to their tax bill. Wealthier people would pay an additional 12 to 15 percent, Obey said.

"The war will cost future generations billions of dollars in taxes that we're shoving off on them and it is devouring money that could be used to expand their educational opportunities, expand their job training possibilities, attack our long-term energy problems and build stronger communities," Obey said.

Obey also announced that Democrats will not pass a supplemental spending bill for the Iraq war until next year, when Democrats hope public pressure could force Bush to change the course of the war.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/america/NA-GEN-US-Iraq-Tax.php

[liberal N proud]

1. Basically an anti tax cut to offset the bu$h tax cuts

Neither are permanent

[trogdor]

3. Makes perfect sense.

Want this tax surcharge to go away? End the war. Simple as that.

[indypaul]

8. Exactly, that's why it will probably not pass. n/t

[liberal N proud]

13. If it doesn't pass, then no funding for war

It's one way to end this god damn war

[ixion]

2. no more money for this illegal invasion...

we shouldn't have invaded in the first place.

[jpak]

4. This would end the US occupation within 24 hours (or less)

and long over due..

When Mr. and Mrs. America suddenly realize that their support for this war will cost them more than the price of a "Freedom Isn't Free" bumper sticker, they will demand the war end PDQ.

[High Plains]

5. Why don't they just raise the cigarette tax again?

[jdlh8894]

7. That's just earmarked for SCHIP n/t

[bjb]

12. High Plains

Good one High Plains! Funniest post I have seen today. They increase the cigarette tax for everything else and yet they won't let the smokers smoke. Go figure...

[sinkingfeeling]

6. The percentage for wealthier folks should be higher... maybe 33 to 40%.

[damntexdem]

9. Smart move. But less should be added by low & middle income.

and much more by the wealthy. Hey, it won't pass anyway -- gouge those who have benefitted from the war.

[guitar man]

10. that's right

It is mostly low and middle income family's kids that are in this fight, so let the tax be for the upper class snob asses whose kids are too good to go to war. The poor and middle have already made the biggest sacrifice.

[RamboLiberal]

11. Mixed feelings on this one

Too bad we can't just tax the numbnuts who voted for Chimpy or any of the war and chickenhawks in Congress for this war.

Hey, I voted for Gore and Kerry - and I opposed this war from day one - why the hell should I pay for it?

I know this has no chance of passing.

[smoogatz]

14. They should make it voluntary.

Let those who support the war pay for the war.