As Forbes Endorses Giuliani, Giuliani Endorses a Flat Tax

New York Times ^ | March 29, 2007 | RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

[FairOpinion]

Rudolph W. Giuliani accepted the endorsement of Steve Forbes yesterday and embraced Mr. Forbes’s signature issue, saying he liked the idea of a flat tax — something Mr. Giuliani denounced when Mr. Forbes was running for president.

If there were no federal income tax, “maybe I’d suggest not doing it at all, but if we were going to do it, a flat tax would make a lot of sense,” Mr. Giuliani, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said yesterday, standing beside Mr. Forbes at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York. But he said it was not clear whether dissolving the current system, so ingrained in the economy, would be feasible.

These days, Mr. Giuliani calls himself an advocate of supply-side economics and tells audiences that he cut taxes and restrained spending as mayor. He said several times yesterday that the federal tax code should be vastly simpler.

“The thing I like about Rudy Giuliani is that in New York City he demonstrated he was willing to try big things,” Mr. Forbes said. In a Giuliani presidency, he predicted, “we’ll have an assault” on the federal tax code.

[meyer]

In a Giuliani presidency, he predicted, “we’ll have an assault” on the federal tax code.

Yeah, right after the assault on the second amendment, the 4th amendment, and the unborn.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Tax reform is nothing new and it doesn't mean someone is a conservative because they "support" it. Hell, Jimmy Carter called the income tax system a "disgrace to the human race." It's meaningless, because as appealing as the flat tax is, the reality is that it will never happen.

That was said about a lot of Reagan's economic changes, as well.

Granted, Reagan had an uniquely charismatic personality combined with a connection to the American people that got a lot of things through that most other politicians, in the same position, may not have been able to. So I don't know of Giuliani or Thompson could do that. But the intent has to be there in the first place.

[wagglebee]

I'm not saying it's not the ideal, I'm saying it's highly unlikely. And Reagan was battling a tax system that was far more Draconian than today's, after the economic stagnation of the 1970s it was pretty easy to sell the public on tax reform, it's not nearly as easy anymore. And let's not kid ourselves here, ANY GOP president is going to sign ANY tax cut that Congress puts on his desk.

[Central Scrutiniser]

I support Rudy.

Watching everyone go into the vapours over it is just icing on the cake.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[hosepipe]

[... You have been here almost 10 years. Have you ever seen such a motley collection of obtuse FReepers who refuse to see Rudy for what he is. ..]

Dame Edna Rudy's Mother must be so proud..

[hosepipe]

[... What can of wild conspiracist, paranoiac stuff are you smoking? ..]

Some/most conspiracys are just fake camoflage for the real ones..
YOU would never know about EITHER of them.. but then thats what they were for..
To fool the dupes.. into swallowing the real ones..

[AFPhys]

I have to agree with FO ... at least for now.

There may be another candidate for the Republicans who comes to the fore, able to win the '08 election. However, as of now, all indications are that Rudy is more acceptable to more people than anybody else for president.

I'm not real crazy about the prospect, but I can think of MANY worse candidates - including some of the "front running" Republicans.

[stephenjohnbanker]

: )

[KATIE-O]

America has become ditzified.. Hitlery WILL BECOME President in 2008.. I hate it but it WILL HAPPEN..




Nope! 50% of Americans say they would NEVER vote for her. She will not be President of this country...... No way.

[hosepipe]

[.. Nope! 50% of Americans say they would NEVER vote for her. She will not be President of this country...... No way. ..]

Mark my words Katie.. Oprah, Degeneres , Letterman, and Leno and a thousand others have not started the brain wash yet..

American women are THAT dumbed down..

[KATIE-O]

Mark my words Katie.. Oprah, Degeneres , Letterman, and Leno and a thousand others have not started the brain wash yet..

American women are THAT dumbed down..




But even stupid women want their families to be safe. They'll vote for Rudy, unless they are foaming Moonbats like that obnoxious Rosy creature.

[unixfox]

In a Giuliani presidency, he predicted, “we’ll have an assault” on the federal tax code.

Right...and pigs might fly out of my ass.

How many times have we heard that propoganda to get elected?

[Rodney King]

There has got to be a better platform than this.

Whats a better platform than the flat tax? Rudy is tops in my book now, even though I otherwise am against him. This is the most beneficial thing that could ever happen to our country.

[spikeytx86]

Whatever ones opinion of Rudy is, of all places I never expected to see people trash the flat tax or pull class warfare on FR.