Political Quotes

“Taxation is serious business. How to pay for what America needs should be at the core of a thoughtful policy and political discussion. Unfortunately, going into a campaign ``silly season,'' it will be hard to have any thoughtful conversation. Here on Capitol Hill, we've been trapped in a twilight zone for years, making a reasonable discussion for revenue extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible. The simple fact is that we are an aging and growing Nation. Our tax collections in recent years have fallen due to a combination of the near economic collapse and the maddening slow economic recovery, which, together, with the series of tax cuts since 2001, have reduced total collections to levels not seen since Harry Truman was President. And they continue to lag. As important as it is to do business differently, to rein in and reform defense spending, our bloated agricultural programs, and health care, the tax system itself must be addressed. More revenues are required to meet our needs, service the debt, and avoid more borrowing. Most Americans understand this. While no one wants to pay higher taxes, the public understands and will support them, if done right: balanced, simple, and fair. The worst tax is a tax on our future, the result of unsustainable spending and debt, coupled with tax cuts for people who don't need or deserve them. The second worst tax is the complex mess we inflict on the public right now.…”