After Iowa: 8 Quick Thoughts on the 2008 Race

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Take a look at this YouTube video of Gov. Huckabee speaking in 2003, presumably before the state legislature in Arkansas, probably a "State of the State" message, and you'll see why I've decided to call him Tax Hike Mike from now on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idu19NfxdZ4
Tax Hike Mike is shown on camera favoring all of the following tax hikes:
Higher income taxes
Higher sales taxes
Higher gas taxes
Higher grocery taxes
Higher tobacco taxes
Higher beer taxes
Internet taxes
Higher nursing home bed taxes
Tax Hike Mike indeed!

Trans-Mutant of CA 4:37PM January 06, 2008

A more realistic and FAIR tax would be to eliminate all income taxes, a national consumption tax of 8 percent that excludes essentials like food medicine and housing, maintaining the current social security and medicare rates(eliminating the income ceiling), and placing a import tariff of 15 percent on ALL IMPORTS. This country needs to reward productivity and reward saving. We also have the LARGEST trade deficit of any country in history. A 15 percent Import tariff would eliminate the national debt, as well as promote made in America brands once again. A truly simple and indeed Fair not to mention logical tax.

Phil of WA 4:23PM January 06, 2008

Mike Huckabee never vetoed a tax or spending increase in Arkansas. He supported higher sales taxes, income taxes and nursing home taxes. He never slowed government spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth. Arkansas Government grew faster than a fertilized weed under Huckabee. Who in their right mind would believe that he's a fiscal conservative?
Whenever asked about his tax and spend record, Huckabee changes the subject by focusing on the Fair Tax movement . In reality, Huckabee used that group to get non-reportable financial help in Iowa and elsewhere. Beware of the wiley bass player from Arkansas.

Robert Harding of AR 11:59AM January 05, 2008

If the FairTax recedes from Huckabee's platform then you can expect supporters like me to recede from his camp.

Brian of AL 10:19AM January 05, 2008

Your point 8, about the 1920 election is interesting.
I would add that Americans rarely elect a sitting member of Congress to the White House. The last time was Kennedy. I can't remember who before, but it had to have been similar vintage.

Steve Odem of FL 5:45AM January 05, 2008

Huckabee didn't need to do research because it's already been done. Logical conclusion when there is a while "Research Papers" section on www.fairtax.org but a conclusion that wasn't looked into based on what I'm reading from the "more family-friendly tax code" line. While I don't have allusions that the author knows much about the FairTax this paper in particular may be of sevice:
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Why the FairTax is good for young and low-income families
The FairTax is the only plan that completely untaxes the poor and also dramatically lowers tax rates on young, low-income families living above the poverty level. And those on fixed incomes for many of the same reasons.
http://www.fairtax.org/PDF/FairTaxIsGoodForYoungAndLowIncomeFamilies.pdf
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Also, trade with China, employment, Social Security taxes, the dollar, the economy and of course the tax code would be addressed under the FairTax.

Aaron of TX 5:45PM January 04, 2008