WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2008

Biden: Paying Higher Taxes Is "Patriotic"

Democratic VP Nominee Says Wealthier Americans Should Pay More In Taxes

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    Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks at a campaign rally at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008.  (AP)

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(AP)  Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said Thursday that paying more in taxes is the patriotic thing to do for wealthier Americans. The Republican campaign for president calls the tax increases their Democratic opponents propose "painful" instead of patriotic.

Under the economic plan proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, people earning more than $250,000 a year would pay more in taxes while those earning less - the vast majority of American taxpayers - would receive a tax cut.

"We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people," Biden said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Noting that wealthier Americans would indeed pay more, Biden said: "It's time to be patriotic ... time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut."

Republican presidential candidate John McCain released a television ad Thursday charging that Obama would increase the size of the federal government amid an economic crisis. Contending that "a big government casts a big shadow on us all," the ad features the image of a shadow slowly covering a sleeping baby as it exaggerates the reach of the Obama tax proposal.

"Obama and his liberal congressional allies want a massive government, billions in spending increases, wasteful pork," the ad says. "And we would pay - painful income taxes, skyrocketing taxes on life savings, electricity and home heating oil. Can your family afford that?"

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Add a Comment See all 247 Comments
by mjvw2 September 18, 2008 9:36 AM PDT
Socialism 101. If Joe wants to pay more taxes he''s welcome to. Keep you wasteful hands out of my pocket.
Reply to this comment
by gop_will_win September 18, 2008 9:40 AM PDT
Oh dear Lord! Next thing you know they will be saying that us rich people should send a family member into the service or not offshoring our companies are patriotic. Sheesh!
Reply to this comment
by usclimey September 18, 2008 9:44 AM PDT
McCain''s campaign don''t even know themselves whether or not they''re lieing. What a bunch of maroons.
Reply to this comment
by eggy1620 September 18, 2008 9:45 AM PDT
Gop_will_win: you have hit the nail on the head. The British moneyed class has a strong tradition of producing military officers. The American moneyed class has a strong tradition of steering its kids away from the armed services. Embarassing.
Reply to this comment
by pmsnbc1 September 18, 2008 9:54 AM PDT
McCain''''s campaign don''''t even know themselves whether or not they''''re lieing. What a bunch of maroons.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by usclimey at 09:44 AM : Sep 18, 2008



We''re all SURE nobama is lying!
Reply to this comment
by upto1947 September 18, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
Is this Biden stupid, he can''t think anyone would agree with him.
******************************************************
PS: I hope Mr. Spell Check can give me an %u201CA%u201D today.
Hope my Grammar meets your approval.
I know you are out there and I know YOU ARE A NO BODY.
GET A LIFE.
Reply to this comment
by pmsnbc1 September 18, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
That''s it JOE. 36 years of wasting the American people''s money and you want more. Bet there are SUCKERS out there that will give it to you.
Reply to this comment
by kashmirbaby September 18, 2008 9:58 AM PDT
Wow, I haven''t been a big fan of Biden through all of this mess, but I''ll be darned - he''s making a bunch of sense about now. Let''s not only concentrate on the middle class though - let''s remember the lower classes as well. The upper class can stand on its own two feet, we know this - let''s concentrate on education, tax reform, and the greater good of the country as a whole...unified. (call me a dreamer...that''s okay)
Reply to this comment
by gunfighter51 September 18, 2008 10:02 AM PDT
Your Wallet, The only place democrats want to drill!
Reply to this comment
by philm123 September 18, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
Obviously anyone posting a negtive comment did not REALLY listen to what Joe Biden was saying. All those comments about "Democrats getting into your wallet" must be posted by the McCain "negative campaign" staff! I can tell you this, America, if it were not for taxes we would not have the greatest military force in the world! You big babies who complain about the tiny (and I mean tiny!) per centage that get a free ride should go see how they live! Then you just might shut your trap. Keep being deceived by Republicans and we will get more of the same - jobs sent to other countries; CEOs walking away with millions after failing; wars based on lies - sheeeesh!!
Reply to this comment
by eggy1620 September 18, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
It is not the responsibility of hard working people to support crack heads and other low lifes who don''''''''t want to work Posted by ban-one1

But it IS the responisibility of hard working people to support the crack heads and other low lifes who do not want to earn money responsibly thereby ruining the economy when the market lifts the curtains on all their schemes. Right?
Reply to this comment
by kommoncents-2009 September 18, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
I make $30,000 a year, which isn''t much at all, but I don''t expect or want to get money from hard working people making over $250,000. Why should I? It''s their money, they earned it and don''t deserve to have it forceably taken away and given to someone else. It''s socialism pure and simple and if poor people want to live in a socialist state move somewhere else, we Americans live in a DEMOCRACY! And that''s the way I want it to stay!
Reply to this comment
by legacyabq September 18, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
Haha, how can some of you actually be fooled by these McCain ads, with their scary voice-over, dramatic panning shots of democ. senators'' faces superimposed on shadows with creepy cello notes.. HAHAHA
You actually beleive after decades of decadence on the part of corporate america, CEO''s raping their companies, ENRON, World-Com, that the democrats will screw things up by raising taxes.. Why? Because the right wing says so for 30 years? Because of an ad?
YOU ARE BRAINWASHED-- The tax cuts of Bushies only go to the rich, trickle down, by their own ideology''s admission..OOOOOooo Big government is coming.
Ooh I''m scared: if it was up to you righties, there would BE NO GOVT AT ALL, then what would you do when your capitalist madness fell apart from corruption, like we see happening because of the mortage crisis? HUH? HUH? Where would you be then??? I''ll tell you, you''d be trading your jewellry for food that''s where.. We need SOME govt to stop the criminal capitalists from tearing down everything we all love for the sake of their GREED!!
Reply to this comment
by carlylaine September 18, 2008 10:29 AM PDT
Do you mean, paying taxes so you can pork barrel you sick F***, get better SSI, more cash in hand? Biden, why don''t you just stay out of my life? How stupid and gullible you think we all are...the only gullibles are you little libs. THAT''s WHY WE DO NOT WANT YOU IN OFFICE...GET OUT AND STAY OUT!

Reply to this comment
by thevicar1 September 18, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
Thanks
Joe Biden!

I feel so much better now regarding bleeding my last earned dollar into the vast, bottomless pit known as the Federal Government, now that you have labelled it the ''Patriotic'' thing to do!

Here I thought serving in the Army, Saluting the Flag, and buying Savings Bonds was all my Country would ask of me.

TAKE MORE MONEY, P L E A S E! That way I will feel even MORE Patriotic!!!


...or is it ''Idiotic''?
Reply to this comment
by usamohammed September 18, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
This is the icing on the cake. I was undecided but I dont feel that paying more taxes is Patriotic. Because I work 2 jobs to support my family and make over Obama''s threshold If I dont want to pay more taxes they are saying I am unpatriotic? I dontae money to charity my son is in the marines and now Mr. Biden says that paying more taxes shows that I love this country. Unless this is some kind of mistake I will either vote for McCain or Bob Barr. Obama lost this undecided voter
Reply to this comment
by bobbyduck1 September 18, 2008 10:35 AM PDT
make $30,000 a year, which isn''''t much at all, but I don''''t expect or want to get money from hard working people making over $250,000. Why should I? It''''s their money, they earned it and don''''t deserve to have it forceably taken away and given to someone else. It''''s socialism pure and simple and if poor people want to live in a socialist state move somewhere else, we Americans live in a DEMOCRACY! And that''''s the way I want it to stay!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by KOMMONCENTS at 10:23 AM : Sep 18, 2008

But it was okay for Bush to take our grandchildren''s money (China-financed deficit) and give it to the current crop of rich folks (Bush tax cuts).

Wake up and get real! People with your attitude are the problem that allows idiots like Bush and the rest of the GOP - McSame included - to screw up life for generations to come!
Reply to this comment
by legacyabq September 18, 2008 10:36 AM PDT
"--This is the icing on the cake. I was undecided but I dont feel that paying more taxes is Patriotic."
DIDNT YOU READ THE ARTICLE MORON, HE SAID PEOPLE MAKING 250,000 and more a year, not you with your two jobs!!!
Reply to this comment
by thevicar1 September 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
Just because you dont recognize the polls doesnt mean they dont exist ------------------------------------------------------ Posted by jh6379



...some of my best friends are Polls, Serbs, and Czecks! I even know a few Slavs.
Reply to this comment
by legacyabq September 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
Haha, how can some of you actually be fooled by these McCain ads, with their scary voice-over, dramatic panning shots of democ. senators'''' faces superimposed on shadows with creepy cello notes.. HAHAHA
You actually beleive after decades of decadence on the part of corporate america, CEO''''s raping their companies, ENRON, World-Com, that the democrats will screw things up by raising taxes.. Why? Because the right wing says so for 30 years? Because of an ad?
YOU ARE BRAINWASHED-- The tax cuts of Bushies only go to the rich, trickle down, by their own ideology''''s admission..OOOOOooo Big government is coming.
Ooh I''''m scared: if it was up to you righties, there would BE NO GOVT AT ALL, then what would you do when your capitalist madness fell apart from corruption, like we see happening because of the mortage crisis? HUH? HUH? Where would you be then??? I''''ll tell you, you''''d be trading your jewellry for food that''''s where.. We need SOME govt to stop the criminal capitalists from tearing down everything we all love for the sake of their GREED!!

Reply to this comment
by carlylaine September 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
In fact...why don''t you just tax those who REALLY want to be taxed?...your cronies and constituents...Let them be patriotic...personally, I don''t want or like that kind of patriotism...

In fact, Mr F-ER Biden...you never served in the military-YOU chicken-shet..SHOW US YOUR PATRIOTISM FIRST!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by vsg4 September 18, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
"Wake up and get real! People with your attitude are the problem that allows idiots like Bush and the rest of the GOP - McSame included - to screw up life for generations to come!

Posted by bobbyduck1 at 10:35 AM : Sep 18, 2008"

One need to understand that this is roll back of taxes on people making 250k or more by 3%.

Well, people here are against the tax roll back for people making 250k or more, then shall we pay a corporate bail out tax to save 3 more banks and 3 big autos apart from 18 billion tax exceptions to big oil ?
Reply to this comment
by vsg4 September 18, 2008 10:41 AM PDT
"In fact, Mr F-ER Biden...you never served in the military-YOU chicken-shet..SHOW US YOUR PATRIOTISM FIRST!!!!!

Posted by CarlyLaine at 10:39 AM : Sep 18, 2008"

Well qualified than current VP who has onkly 5 differals please.
Reply to this comment
by eggy1620 September 18, 2008 10:41 AM PDT
What the Red baiters on this thread refuse to acknowledge is that most welfare goes to rednecks and trailer trash who cling to their guns and bibles and would not recognize a rubbber if it hit them in the face.
Reply to this comment
by thevicar1 September 18, 2008 10:42 AM PDT
In fact, Mr F-ER Biden...you never served in the military-YOU chicken-shet..SHOW US YOUR PATRIOTISM FIRST!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------ Posted by CarlyLaine


not sure its too healthy to hold all that anger in...tells us what you REALLY feel.
Reply to this comment
by strangeworld September 18, 2008 10:43 AM PDT
The wealth in America has been redistributed to the wealthy from the middle class for the last 30 years. I think that there is a call for the wealthy to go back to the tax rates that they had in the past, when they paid a higher percentage of the total taxes in the US. It''s time for those who have the most to belly up to the bar again and start carrying a greater share of the load - the same with big corporations (over 90% do not pay taxes).
Reply to this comment
by armydog2 September 18, 2008 10:43 AM PDT
It''s about time all the wealthier citizens pay their fair share in taxes. Get rid of all their tax shelters too.I am a liberal and I work everyday and I pay my bills and I don''t want a handout from anybody!!
My house is paid for, my car is paid for,i have savings and I can afford to help my children and grandchildren,I am very comfortable.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
Why is that so hard to understand. No one is going to win with this ***.

Posted by proisrael

The Libs don''t understand because they think the government has money. They don''t get it that it is people working and producing which creates wealth. I agree with you, why should business and people who have worked to make their money be taxed at a higher rate? I''m saying this and I''m not the one who will be taxed. What incentive is there to invest in business to make money if it will be turned over to the government? Our country is on its way to h e l l.

Oh, and even if by some horrible turn of the election, Obama is elected, he is not the long awaited Messiah as so many believe. I don''t believe for one minute that he will be able to create positive change any more than Jimmy Carter did back in 1976.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
I am very comfortable.

Posted by armydog2

Congratulations and somebody give the guy a fish.
Reply to this comment
by carlylaine September 18, 2008 10:46 AM PDT
vsg4 : YOU are as dumb as Biden thinks you are...you''re falling for it aren''t ya? Idiots!
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:48 AM PDT
Why won''''t Obama give the 9 million made at the concert to the poor?

Posted by john43218

I have heard that he wont give a stipend to his impoverished brother in Africa. I would like to think that is not true.
Reply to this comment
by usamohammed September 18, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
LegacyABQ I make over 250,000 a year gross. I am a small business owner excuse me for not making that clear. Maybe you are satisfied making minimum wage but I want to provide for my family so they can enjoy life in this great country.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:50 AM PDT
In fact, Mr F-ER Biden...you never served in the military-YOU chicken-shet..SHOW US YOUR PATRIOTISM FIRST!!!!! ----------------------------------------
-------------- Posted by CarlyLaine

I agree, I have always felt that everyone who enjoys life in America should serve. It should be taught and expected from an early age. Turn 18, serve the country for two years--everyone. During the Vietnam war, I believed that, so even though I''m female and had no chance of being drafted, I did serve honorably for three years.
Reply to this comment
by eggy1620 September 18, 2008 10:51 AM PDT
Most welfare payments go to registered republicans. Just look at the geographic distribution. Mostly to rural red state areas.
Reply to this comment
by notblue September 18, 2008 10:53 AM PDT
jh6379, explain what freedom without security would be like. How can freedom survive in the modern world without security? You libs always talk nonsense in regards to giving up freedom for security, do you think maybe there can be a balance? Why is it all or nothing with you people?
Reply to this comment
by strangeworld September 18, 2008 10:53 AM PDT
The American businessman is so patriotic that he moved jobs to other countries so he could top off his already bloated bank account. It''s the same old stuff...when there''s profit to be made, he wants privacy...when he''s taking a loss he wants the taxpayer to help him. I agree...the wealthy in America should be doing more - they live here too (at least some of them do at some point in the year for a little while).
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:53 AM PDT
Are we all that stupid?

Posted by labombaOH

I wish the Repubs would have voted for Mitt Romney. Oh well it is too late. What I think is that we are in deep doo doo no matter which candidate we vote for.

I cannot support the Democratic Party Platform even if I thought Obama would make a better president.
Reply to this comment
by notblue September 18, 2008 10:54 AM PDT
jh6379, are you one of those who believe there was no Islamic extemism in Iraq before 911?
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:56 AM PDT
Most welfare payments go to registered republicans. Just look at the geographic distribution. Mostly to rural red state areas.

Posted by eggy1620

Do you have a reference you can quote to support that data? That is really hard for me to believe considering the millions of people who are on the dole in large urban cities.
Reply to this comment
by vsg4 September 18, 2008 10:57 AM PDT
"vsg4 : YOU are as dumb as Biden thinks you are...you''''re falling for it aren''''t ya? Idiots!

Posted by CarlyLaine at 10:46 AM : Sep 18, 2008"

No I am not. It is better than no bid contracts to Halliburton the biggest corporate well fare receiver. It is better than take loan from China in the form of treasury notes to the tune of 1.5 trillions to fund for this un just war. It is better than AIGs ousted CEO who''s options worth 50 millions @ $2 a share which he got a bonus for successfully bringing AIG down, list goes on.
Reply to this comment
by ici2i September 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT
Who''s talking about hand outs and pork spending? Who do you think pays for the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota ( A fed aid interstate hwy), and virtually every highway and bridge you drive over? Who do you think pays for the most sophisticted army, navy & air force in the world? How do you think the pieces of our infrastuctrue are put back together after a disaster such as Katrina, Ike, earthquakes, and even 9-11? Who''s idea was it to bail out the Fannie & Freddie collapse with tax money?

There are many legitimate and expensive programs that only a tax funded government can afford. The point about this Biden article is fairness in taxation. That''s patriotic! The point is also about the proper roll of government. We need apointees in gov''t positions who are not only qualified but also care about doing the right thing including teh separation of powers. Who can argue that the failures of FEMA, the lack of over sight in the Securities & Exchange, etc., are not directly related to the GOP''s good buddy club and payment for political favors rendered? Trickle down economics hasn''t helped anybody but in the six figure bracket.

That''s what we want to change! Isn''t it ironic that the last decent republican to hold these values high on his list of an effective and limited government was named Ike who just rolled ashore in Texas taking a small bite out of big oil and corporate America''s profits.
Reply to this comment
by shavshu September 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT
Great! Let''s begin by having all members of congress do their patriotic duty and start paying social securuty taxes... something they voted not to require of themselves. They could do away with the "custom made" retirement plan created for/and by themselves, but funded by us, and with great patriotic pride they could pay into (and try to retire on) social security. Who knows... it might just provide them with the insentive they need to fix it. Just a thought.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT
Where have you been all my life? Someone with a brain for once. Not someone who is jealous that their neighbor is making $250.

Posted by proisrael

Well, I''ve been in my little town working, raising my children, and going to school. It took forever, but I finally earned my university degree. Now I''m so old, no one gives a ***.
Reply to this comment
by strangeworld September 18, 2008 10:59 AM PDT
So what the republicans on the board are saying here is that the wealthy don''t want to help the country in it''s time of need. I guess that would mean that they''re unpatriotic, wouldn''t it? Why should the hard workers of the US pay billions of tax dollars to bail out big corporations who pay their executives tens of millions a year? Our system has set up a welfare state for the wealthy business owners - spending money on them is the biggest waste of money that there is.
Reply to this comment
by eggy1620 September 18, 2008 11:00 AM PDT
Ever hear of agricultural aid?
Reply to this comment
by mbourn2 September 18, 2008 11:01 AM PDT
The last time I checked, the IRS is not known for turning down any "extra" money that people want to send them. Personally, I think the charities I support do a much better job of spending the money. I support the American Lung Association because I lost a younger brother to complications associated with asthma. I also support an organization called Compassionate Friends because they do really good work helping people who are grieving over the loss of a child or sibling.... but if Joe wants to send his extra money to the IRS that is his business. I just don''t like being told where to send mine.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 11:02 AM PDT
We should not expect anyone to join the military. It is not good for the people.

Posted by proisrael

There are other ways to serve besides military service.

Israel does that, everyone serves.
Reply to this comment
by minnick8-2009 September 18, 2008 11:04 AM PDT
Our system has set up a welfare state for the wealthy business owners - spending money on them is the biggest waste of money that there is.

Posted by Strangeworld

If you believe that allowing businesses to thrive and grow is not beneficial to the economy of this country, move to a socialistic country and enjoy life there.
Reply to this comment
by sdfaeg September 18, 2008 11:04 AM PDT
wonder if t here is any truth to the actual candidate that bumps off mutual opponent will win in November regardless of issues and polls?

provided there is an election considering how the economy may put a stop to it or another Bush/Cheney orchestrated war with Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, etc.

apparently the mutual opponent is wealthy, exposed corruption within both parties and is presently targeted.

wonder how would they bump off mutual opponent?

will Dems use an OJ Simpson-like black convict with jail time waiting? BTW, OJ is available as his trial is underway today.

will GOP use a Guiliani-like mob ties as used by his protege, ex-NYPD commissioner and was indicted for and may be doing up to 140 years of jail time? or use Gotti, Jr. who is also available as his trial is underway today too?

will both parties employ the popular law enforcement practice of ''sweetheart exchange deals'' where convicts commit crime/murders in exchange for less jail time, conveniently covered up and real culprits not suspected?

as this information is given, do we too have to worry about our personal safety? For example, should my diabetic husband worry about his health/life while doing his routine jog after work around 4-4:15pm in the Hackensack, Bogota and Teaneck, areas in NJ today? Do I have to worry about my own safety as I commute to the city via Port Authority bus this afternoon?
Reply to this comment
by strangeworld September 18, 2008 11:05 AM PDT
"Now it''''s "patriotic" to take money from productive people and give it to unproductive people."

You''re confusing wealth with be productive here. There are tons of examples of the wealthy running companies into the ground and paying themselves millions/yr. in the process...where they productive? Everything for a republican revolves around his love of money...he''d sell his mother, put his neighbor out on the street, or betray his country for the almighty dollar. If you really can''t see that the wealthy should be paying a little more to take care of a financial mess that they largely created in their greed, I can''t help you.
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