According to Barack Obama, 95 percent of American families would get a "tax cut" under his tax plan. In fact,
according to this piece in the Wall Street Journal, he's simply reintroducing an expanded system of welfare payments of the sort that we thought we'd gotten rid of during the Clinton years -- only this time, the welfare payments are being labeled "tax credits." Even the third of Americans who don't pay taxes will get a check from the government. His scheme is also meant to direct behavior in ways approved by the left. Read the article for details.
The
Journal also
compares the McCain and Obama health-care plans, and concludes: "On choice, portability, quality and especially equity, the McCain health plan is far superior to Mr. Obama's. The Democrat is merely offering Canada on the installment plan." Again, read the linked article.
None of this appears to matter a damn this year, however. Terrified about their economic futures, millions of voters are switching to the side promising them more paternalistic government. Ironically, the reason that they are terrified is that the same government officials to whom they are turning are the people who created the current financial crisis in the first place. They appear to be about to elect a Democrat administration whose promises of fiscal magic will amount to playing "now you see it, now you don't" with our paychecks.
Up till now, John McCain has been unwilling, and Sarah Palin apparently unable, to explain any of this is simple terms and to defend their own alternatives effectively -- which is why they are sinking in the polls. But more on that later.
UPDATE, 10/15/08 -- Dr. Helen wonders if
it's time to "pull a John Galt," and her readers weigh in.
