Why are you voting or not voting for Barack Obama?

[mrstickball]

Paul_Warren said:

"- For increasing taxes as well as government spending at multiple levels, and against a flat tax (I am for lower taxes, smaller government, and a flat tax)"

Everyone says that Obama is going to raise taxes. However, the truth is he is planning on cutting taxes for everyone that makes under $50,000.00 a year. I'm all for raising taxes on the wealthy. And if Obama is going to do that, then more power to him.  Higher minimum wage + no taxes for the poorer citizens = a real shot at upward mobility for poorer people in society.  If you make less than $250,000.00 a year it is not in your best interests to vote for Mccain in November.

 

Actually, your wrong.

All of my numbers came from VoteSmart.org, and not by my own bias. You see, Obama took a Political Courage Test when he became a senator in 2004, defining where he stood on issues. For taxes, and government, he gave the following answers to the clearly defined test:

State Budget
(Back to top)

Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories. Select one level only.
Maintain Status	a) Agriculture
Greatly Increase	b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status	c) Education (Higher)
Maintain Status	d) Environment
Greatly Increase	e) Health care
Maintain Status	f) Law enforcement
Maintain Status	g) Transportation infrastructure (highways, roads, bridges)
Slightly Increase	h) Welfare

And for taxes, he gave the following answers:

State Taxes
(Back to top)

Indicate the tax levels you will support. Select one level only.
Slightly Increase	a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status	b) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Increase	c) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Increase	d) Corporate taxes
Slightly Increase	e) Gas taxes
Slightly Decrease	f) Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
Slightly Increase	g) Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
Slightly Decrease	h) Property taxes
Maintain Status	i) Sales taxes

So yes, you are correct in saying that he will lower the tax burden for people below $75,000. However, if he's rasing corporate taxes, gas taxes, and income taxes, I don't see how the average American below $75,000 is going to be saving money, he is in favor of rasing 5 taxes, but reducing only 2.

You can find his answers at votesmart.org

 

Also, Paul Warren, your question "does Bill Gates pay $5b in taxes each year?" - The answer (as you know) is no. Bill Gates may be worth $40b, but he hasn't earned that much money in 1 year. He makes far less each year in salary (to which he is taxed in the proper tax bracked).