Rukavina said Pawlenty vetoed the measure to put him in the good graces of conservatives as he is a top contender to be presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate.
“Maybe this helps with the conservative wing of the party, which he seems to be courting,” Rukavina said.
In 2005, Pawlenty signed a minimum wage increase even though he didn't like the bill.
]]>Washington – As if Don Young’s proposal to raises the gas tax last week wasn’t sufficiently hostile to taxpayers, today, the Alaskan voted for the absurdly named “Patriot Tax” in the war supplemental. The amendment is an unambiguous income tax increase, imposing a 0.5% surcharge on gross income on earnings over $500,000 a year or $1 million for a couple.
Without a doubt, this tax increase will prove harmful to the economy, stifling innovation, productivity, and job growth. To make matters worse, the tax will be especially harmful on small businesses whose owners often file their business income on their individual tax returns. In fact, the Tax Foundation reports that almost 83% of all income tax returns with over $1 million in income are business owners. A tax that is supposedly on the rich will in fact hurt everyone.
“Don Young’s disregard for taxpayers is truly stunning,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. “This new tax penalizes hard work, will hurt productivity and job growth, and removes more money from the private sector during challenging economic times. Next time, Rep. Young claims to fight for taxpayers, ask him why he votes to fleece more of their money.”
“We commend President Bush for his planned veto of the war supplemental, and urge all members of Congress to think about the detrimental effect of this tax increase when it comes time to sustain the president’s veto.”
PAID FOR BY CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE. 202-955-5500.
]]>The amendment passed, 256-166, with an astounding 32 Republicans voting for it. Click here to see who they are.
]]>"Instead of long-winded public debates, the people want capsule slogans: 'Time for a change!' 'The mess in Washington!' 'More bang for a buck!' Punch lines and glamour!"
Or, as the Voice noted, "government by sound bite and photo op."
I was amazed to see how prescient this black and white film was, and in fact stopped the DVD in its track to repeat that line for the kids and wonder in amazement at how relevant it was to today's presidential campaign. One YouTuber even made a funny video with a collage of the candidates "singing" David Bowie's "Changes."
The movie features an incredible performance by Andy Griffith, whose Lonesome Rhodes character is, shall we say, nothing like the Sheriff of Mayberry. There is a great cameo by Mike Wallace, playing himself.
After watching it, it's ironic that Griffith endorsed one of the Democratic candidates for NC Governor in the primary this year in a TV spot where he played like the retired sheriff of Mayberry.
For you political junkies out there who have not seen this film, rent it before November if you can.
]]>Bennett (R-UT)
Coburn (R-OK)
Collins (R-ME)
DeMint (R-SC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Reed (D-RI)
Sununu (R-NH)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Whitehouse (D-RI)