Herman Cain's big advantage (Here's another item to put on the plus side of the scales)

American Thinker ^ | 09/28/2011 | J.R. Dunn

[SeekAndFind]

It's anybody's guess as to whether Herman Cain can go the distance. But here's another item to put on the plus side of the scales.

The Dems have gotten considerable mileage out of accusations of scientific illiteracy on the part of the GOP candidates. This is largely due to the healthy stand taken by most of the field against global warming panic, but has also Rick Perry's clumsiness in dealing with questions concerning evolution and Michelle B's ill-advised attack on the Gardasil vaccine. (There's scarcely a vaccine in the medical armory that hasn't been accused of causing "retardation" at one time or another.)

Well, lo and behold, one widely overlooked entry in Cain's resume is the fact that he's a trained scientist, with degrees in both mathematics (from Morehouse College) and computer science (from Purdue) Furthermore, he actually worked as a professional mathematician, computing potential missile trajectories for the Navy, something that not even the great Al Gore can claim.

Science has always been a Republican weakness, with scientific ignorance acting as a facet of the GOP troglodyte caricature so beloved of Democratic campaigners. (Which would beg the question as to how the Dems can lay claim to superiority concerning the topic if we all weren't aware that liberals know, like, everything.) But with Cain on the ticket, this failing simply vanishes. It's difficult to see how they can turn the anti-science cannon on a man fully trained in the rigors of the scientific method. Nor is there any doubt whether Cain, in many ways the most outspoken of the current crop, would let them get away with it.

The point is, even if Cain does not gain the nomination, he would be formidable as a vice-presidential candidate.

[bcsco]

There’s science, then there’s science. This paints with a pretty broad brush. Educated in mathematics and computer technology is only one aspect of ‘science’. I’m not taking anything away from Mr. Cain, simply saying that this is far too broad an analogy.

[mk2000]

I like this article. Even though to this point Cain had not been my choice he should be given a second look. Also I was not aware of his education background. Damn impressive! This needs to be spoken about. This is one smart dude!

[CGalen]

Cain flunks the gun rights test.

Although Cain says he supports the Second Amendment, in the next breath he says he fully supports any and all state gun control/prohibitions.

That is like supporting federal rights for women and blacks, but allowing women and blacks to be slaves if the state laws permit them to be slaves.

I will not support any candidate who allows, and favors, individual states to outlaw guns, to take away womens voting rights, to allow slavery, to prohibit free speech.

http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/Cain/Gun-Control.php

[Josa]

I have concerns about his 999 plan. Where is he going to cut taxes enough to compensate for a 9% federal sales tax...on top of your current state or local sales tax.

My current tax rate, with deductions, is about 11%. So while I would gain a little on the income tax I would immeditely pay much more on the 9% federal tax.

Am I missing something?

[Hodar]

Well, lo and behold, one widely overlooked entry in Cain's resume is the fact that he's a trained scientist, with degrees in both mathematics (from Morehouse College) and computer science (from Purdue) Furthermore, he actually worked as a professional mathematician, computing potential missile trajectories for the Navy, something that not even the great Al Gore can claim.

Ok, I'm sold ... where do I sign?

[marstegreg]

I think he is supporting states rights,not dissing gun rights. This is one of those questions where you can be right and wrong at the same time. I believe that is just one question were posed to him we could get a better understanding of his position.

[Go Gordon]

I will not support any candidate who allows, and favors, individual states to outlaw guns, to take away womens voting rights, to allow slavery, to prohibit free speech.

So, if Cain gets the nomination, does that mean you'll vote for Obama?

[Hodar]

in the next breath he says he fully supports any and all state gun control/prohibitions.

If the individual state's laws are found to be Constitutional, then this is a perfectly logical stand. May I direct your attention to the 10th Ammendment.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This is as it should be.

[dblshot]

Reducing corporate taxes could allow prices to come down to compensate for the 9% sales tax. This is the claim of the Fair Tax people anyway. More likely, since you have a choice in whether to buy something or not, unlike your income taxes, if the price is too high the seller will have to bring it down and can as long as he is making a profit, remember less taxes to the fed.

[freeangel]

“It’s anybody’s guess as to whether Herman Cain can go the distance”

He’s already proved he could go the distance, both in his personal and professional life. Run, Herman, run!

[Socon-Econ]

Any comments on Cain’s undercutting of House Republican efforts to link disaster aid increase with cuts in nonsensical green jobs funding? I would argue that Republican efforts to get assertive in this area should not be punished. Of course, the Republicans should learn to explain their positions in ways that voters can understand, but Cain should be helping them do this, not publicly undercutting them the way Newt did on Obamacare.

[9YearLurker]

I agree. I like Cain and he seems to have led a commendable life. But math and “computer science” are not real science, if you will. Also, remember how much was made of Jimmy Carter’s BS degree from the Naval Academy?

[dblshot]

The states signed on to the Constitution with the Bill of Rights. They can’t amend those rights but have complete control over those powers not enumerated. Well at least they should have.

[Fresh Wind]

Cain will fracture the Rats’ most reliable voting bloc.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Your link does not support the contention that Cain “fully supports any and all state gun control/prohibitions.” It says that he supports the right of states to pass gun legislation. That means he is a Federalist on that issue. Implicit in that idea is that state laws would be subject to Constitutional muster. It does not mean Cain would give carte blanche to states to ban guns

[DManA]

If math is not a “real” science then there is no such thing.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: My current tax rate, with deductions, is about 11%. So while I would gain a little on the income tax I would immeditely pay much more on the 9% federal tax.

---

This will happen to me too. However, if it will SIMPLIFY the tax code ( literally throw it away ) and keep the IRS off our backs, I say it's a price worth paying.

And if you are an investor, you have benefits.

Here's his plan in a little bit more detail :

PHASE 1: FIX AND FLATTEN THE TAX CODE

•The Phase 1 Enhanced Plan incorporates the features of Phase One and gets us a step closer to Phase two.

•The Phase 1 Enhanced Plan unites Flat Tax supporters with Fair tax supporters.

•Achieves the broadest possible tax base along with the lowest possible rate of 9%.

•It ends the Payroll Tax completely – a permanent holiday!

•Zero capital gains tax

•Ends the Death Tax.

•Eliminates double taxation of dividends

•Business Flat Tax – 9%

◦Gross income less all investments, all purchases from other businesses and all dividends paid to shareholders.

◦Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for payroll employed in the zone.

•Individual Flat Tax – 9%.

◦Gross income less charitable deductions.

◦Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for those living and/or working in the zone.

•National Sales Tax – 9%.

◦This gets the Fair Tax off the sidelines and into the game.

PHASE 2 – THE FAIR TAX

•Amidst a backdrop of the economic boom created by the Phase 1 Enhanced Plan, I will begin the process of educating the American people on the benefits of continuing the next step to the Fair Tax.

•The Fair Tax would ultimately replace individual and corporate income taxes.

•It would make it possible to end the IRS as we know it.

•The Fair Tax makes our exported goods and services the most competitively internationally than any other tax system.

Summary

•Unites all tax payers so we all pay income taxes and no one pays payroll taxes

•Provides the least incentive to evade taxes and the fewest opportunities to do so

•Lifts a $430 billion dead-weight burden on the economy due to compliance, enforcement, collection, etc.

•Is fair, neutral, transparent, and efficient

•Ends nearly all deductions and special interest favors

•Ends all payroll taxes

•Ends the Death Tax

•Features zero tax on capital gains and repatriated profits

•Lowest marginal rates on production

•Allows immediate expensing of business investments

•Eliminates double taxation of dividends

•Increases capital formation. Capital per worker drives productivity and wage growth

•Capital formation will aid capital availability for small businesses

•Features a platform to launch properly structured Empowerment Zones to revitalize our inner cities

•We all know the Fed has tripled the money supply since 2008. They have been printing money out of thin air to finance the Obama spending machine. While true Fed reform that restores sound money may have to wait for my election, the best thing we can do now is to pursue policies that increase the DEMAND for dollars to help mitigate the risks associated with the increase in the supply.

•Pro-growth economic policies equal a strong dollar policy

[mk2000]

I don’t believe that because Cain is not for giving away freebies like the Deathocrats.

[marstegreg]

The states signed on to the Constitution with the Bill of Rights. They can’t amend those rights but have complete control over those powers not enumerated. Well at least they should have.

Don’t tell Obama...