As I've been sputtering in a few places lately, Dean's economic plan has never consisted solely of repealing the Bush tax cuts. For months and months I've been hearing him talk about the need a better tax system. Apparently, all the crap the press has been spewing (who've surely heard the same things I have if they've been paying attention) coupled with the disingenuous attacks (I'm talking to you, John Kerry) on him by his primary opponents about how he's an enemy of the middle class have prompted a response. The campaign just issued the following press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BURLINGTON--Democratic presidential candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D., issued the following statement today:

"I have repeatedly called for the complete repeal of the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts to pay for health care and make significant progress toward balancing the budget. As I have consistently said since November 2002, I will propose additional tax reforms that will make the tax code fairer for working families--and that will ensure that corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share."

Background Below:

DEAN ON TAXES:

National Coalition for Essential Schools, Washington D.C. 11/14/2002 http://www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/fforum/2002/dean_sp.html

As a party we need to look outside the beltway. We must set a tax policy that is good for working Americans, not just the Ken Lays of the world. And we must not be afraid to stand up for such a policy. . .

We are a party who must embrace small businesses and help them -- first by making health insurance available to their owners and employees, and secondly by changing our tax code to remove benefits for large corporations, and creating wealth and opportunity for those who create the most jobs, our small business community.

We should repeal the President's tax cut, which primarily benefits Americans making over $300,000 a year, and replace it with targeted cuts that will make a real difference in the lives of average Americans. [November 2002! Hello!]

We should use a limited estate tax exemption to protect small businesses and family farms, cut payroll taxes for low- and middle-income workers, and use direct subsidies rather than tax credits to make it possible for working people earning $30,000 to $40,000 a year to save money in their IRA's, as the president's tax code did for people earning ten times that.

These targeted cuts would not only be fiscally responsible, but help those who truly need help.

* * *

Des Moines, IA, 07/30/03

Finally, we must reform our tax system. When I am President, I will work to repeal the top heavy Bush tax cuts, and replace them with a system that is fairer, and simpler, and places less of a burden on working Americans who live off their paychecks. [July 2003!]

* * *

"Reclaming the American Dream," Georgetown University, 10/16/03

Once we have repealed the President's reckless tax cuts, we will set about making the tax system fairer and simpler. We'll end corporate welfare as we know it, eliminating up to $100 billion dollars in tax breaks and subsidies that benefit special interests and large contributors to both political parties.

And we'll crack down on tax shelters that allow American companies to hide their profits offshore and not pay any taxes while enjoying all of the benefits that the American taxpayer provides to them . . . It's time to move the balance back and take some of the burden off the individual taxpayer who's trying to make ends meet.

And as a final goal, we'll simplify the tax system so that a majority of Americans can pay their income taxes without wasting hours filling out forms.

* * *

"Creating a New a New Social Contract for America's Working Families," December 18

The New Social Contract I am proposing will include fundamental tax reform to ensure that every wealthy American individual and corporation is paying their fair share of taxes and that the tax burden on working families is reduced.

Not paying your fair share is equivalent to turning your back on being an American. And that's what American companies that move to offshore shelters are doing. They're avoiding $70 billion a year in taxes enough money to bring a real tax cut to every family.

Better and fairer tax enforcement could collect another $30 billion a year from known tax cheats. Closing corporate loopholes and ending unnecessary tax subsidies would bring $100 billion into the US Treasury each year money that the rest of us are paying today.

I want to get rid of the Bush tax program and repeal the "Bush Tax". Let's start over with a real tax reform plan to make the code fairer and simpler, based on a few simple principles:

* We must eliminate abusive tax shelters and crack down on corporate tax evaders.

* Corporations and inherited wealth should pay their fair share of taxes.

* Individuals and small businesses should spend less time dealing with taxes, and the tax code must be simplified.

* * *

NPR Debate, January 6, 2004

Question: You're proposing the elimination of President Bush's tax cut including the child tax credit. I'm the father of three children, my wife stays home with them and we have made great sacrifices to live on one paycheck. How can you justify taking this money from us?

Answer: Ultimately we will have a program of tax fairness for middle class people, but the truth is the Bush tax cuts gave people who make a million dollars an average of $112,000 in tax cuts. 60% of Americans got a $304 tax cut.

Lazy media. Lazy, dumb-ass, media.