Posted on 10/03/2007 10:56:52 AM PDT by LM_Guy
Rep. David R. Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, yesterday threatened unilaterally to block President Bush's $189 billion emergency war-funding bill to force a U.S. pullout from Iraq and called for levying a surtax to cover the war's costs.
Mr. Obey, breaking with the Democratic leadership that has failed repeatedly to end the Iraq war, said unless Mr. Bush establishes a goal to abort combat operations in Iraq by January, he would act alone to cut off war spending.
"Future generations should not be saddled with paying for an ill-advised war in Iraq that seems to be never-ending," said the Wisconsin Democrat, who could use his powerful post to lock up the funding bill in committee. "If this war is important enough to fight, then it ought to be important enough to pay for."
The proposed income-tax surcharge — a progressive tax ranging from 2 percent to about 15 percent — would net $150 billion a year to cover the cost of the war in Iraq, said Mr. Obey.
The 4½ years of war has cost a total of about $450 billion.
Mr. Obey's proposals did not target the war in Afghanistan, which he said was a justifiable war because the Taliban supported al Qaeda before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.
"It is to draw a meaningful line in the sand," said Rep. Jim McGovern, Massachusetts Democrat and an outspoken war critic. Mr. McGovern and Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, were at Mr. Obey's side when he announced the surtax plan.
The tax plan got a cool reception from Democratic leaders in both chambers. But they were open to cutting off war funds, a politically dangerous stance gaining acceptance, especially in the Senate.
"Just as I have opposed the war from the outset, I am opposed to......
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Boy, I agree with that statement completely !!
Stop charge carding the WOT onto the backs of our children. It is time for the GOP to return to Fiscal Conservatism.
ZOT!
Troop killing bastard.
How about cutting all of the nanny-state programs first since they do nothing to keep America safe whereas killing Muslim terrorists and their state sponsors does.
You have one of the top ten tag lines ever.....
Please see post
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905913/posts?page=14#14
On the impacts of the lack of funding on our total national defense posture.
Obey doesn’t have the guts to do this in the end. Watch and see.
And if I’m wrong, it will only reinforce the notion Democrats can’t be trusted on national defense issues, or with providing for the troops.
Why don’t we send you to the desert without your wallet or ATM card?
Forcing RINO Bush to pay for the war instead of running up massive deficits is a good thing, but you are name calling S.O.B.
I want this war payed for and not charged. Quit be a RINO who wants to deficit spend everything we need.
You are probably very correct in your assessment, and Pelosi will make him back down.
Dear LM_Guy,
Bite me. Then go back to the DUmp. Moron.
Sincerely,
xjcsa
P.S. Raising marginal tax rates does not raise revenue. If anything, there should be a tax rate cut to stimulate additional revenue.
By raising taxes. Right.
Mrs. Clinton....aye.
Treasonous Democrats: The Republican Election Commercial Gift That Keeps Giving
Yes-28 No-68
‘You are probably very correct in your assessment, and Pelosi will make him back down.’
I don’t think Pelosi has as much political power as previous Speakers, as the Hoyer ‘rebellion’ last fall demonstrated pretty conclusively. And I doubt even if she was to try and pressure Obey she would do so publicly, if for no other reason than moveon.org and the midget at dailykos would target HER.
Yup. The question isn’t “raising taxes”.
We did that when we went to war.
The question is, are we raising them on ourselves, or on our childern and grandchildren - plus interest.
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