9 responses to 9 false attacks on 9-9-9 (Cain Addresses the Doubters)

WND ^ | Monday, October 17, 2011 | Herman Cain

[Atlas Sneezed]

Do you know why candidates for office tend to be reluctant to propose detailed plans? Because they know the plans will be flyspecked and picked apart by just about everyone. Inviting criticism doesn't help you to get votes.

But fear of criticism prevents you from conceiving solutions to problems. So even if avoidance of criticism helps in propelling you to an election victory, how are you supposed to effectively govern? How are you supposed to fix the problems you told everyone you were going to fix?

That's why I'm happy to see so much criticism of the 9-9-9 plan I've proposed. It shows that people are thinking seriously about a substantive idea. When people stop obsessing over "gaffes" and campaign strategy, and start honing in on fixing the country's economic problems, we are getting somewhere.

This is not to say, of course, I'm going to leave poorly founded criticisms of the plan unanswered. Certain objections to the plan are circulating in the usual places, driven by the same kind of thinking that has left us with a stagnant economy, $14 trillion in debt and mounting entitlement obligations. These criticisms deserve responses, and here they are:

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A talking head SUPPORTING 9-9-9 on Fox and Friends [Oct 17, 2011] said that it won't hurt the poor because they can be forgiven X amount on their consumption before the national sales tax kicks in. When queried further he said, that would be up to how Herman Cain wanted it structured -- that it could be made as progressive as you want it.

[SoConPubbie]

A talking head SUPPORTING 9-9-9 on Fox and Friends [Oct 17, 2011] said that it won't hurt the poor because they can be forgiven X amount on their consumption before the national sales tax kicks in. When queried further he said, that would be up to how Herman Cain wanted it structured -- that it could be made as progressive as you want it.

And what does that have to do with what Cain has proposed with his 999 plan?

He could also change his plan to either 000 or 99-99-99, but he certainly would not do it.

Your comments adds nothing to the discussion as it did not come from Mr. Cain or any of his staff, but probably a left-wing progressive talking head.

[Pan_Yan]

Seems like the Christian poor and the Christian senior citizens are getting shafted big time because rich Cain feels he has a better way.

Sure in 2030 when Cain and his goobers already have their pensions for life and top tier healthcare. This is their ticket to that.

Cain wants to eliminate all the sweetheart deals, loopholes, deductions and shelters that make up our current system. Most of those are geared to and benefit the rich since most of us can't afford tax attorneys and accounts to do our taxes. Under Cain's plan no one will have those things. Cain is trying to make the system fair and transparent, something I'm sure we can agree the current system is not. You appear to have a very strong class warfare problem. Please don't let it blind you to common sense. I'm not asking you to support Cain. That's not the point. The point is we need to fix our system and support those who are willing to do it.

[JDW11235]

I don’t know who to ping or what to do, but I am curious, if you do a keyword search for “999” or click on the “999” keyword on a thread, the keyword search auto-populates with “999liar” and says there are no results. Does anyone else see this, and if so, what does it mean?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Your comments adds nothing to the discussion as it did not come from Mr. Cain or any of his staff, but probably a left-wing progressive talking head.

He was a supporter of the plan -- the other guy was not liking it so much.

Personally, I think Herman Cain is a central planner kind of guy. And if you can't see that "forgiving" the poor X amount on their consumption (and that can certainly go up and up) is a big hole in this plan...well... I can't help that.

“The role of government, in my view, is to maintain an equal balanced playing field for the citizens and for our society. Not to throw it out of balance.” --Herman Cain, John Stossel Fox Show, July 12, 2011

[Bayou Dittohead]

I agree that the lack of wage deductions would have adverse impacts. Service industries would seem disproportionately impacted. I would actually eliminate corporate taxes but include dividends and capital gains as income. “Businesses don’t pay taxes people do.” Don’t care for the enterprise zones either. I like Cain.

[Bayou Dittohead]

I agree that the lack of wage deductions would have adverse impacts. Service industries would seem disproportionately impacted. I would actually eliminate corporate taxes but include dividends and capital gains as income. “Businesses don’t pay taxes people do.” Don’t care for the enterprise zones either. I like Cain.

[Marie]

I was hating the whole ‘prebate’ thing! I’m so glad that it’s not a part of 999! :D

[SoConPubbie]

“The role of government, in my view, is to maintain an equal balanced playing field for the citizens and for our society. Not to throw it out of balance.” --Herman Cain, John Stossel Fox Show, July 12, 2011

And that quote of his could mean one of two things, lacking any context as you did not supply any:

1. Cain believes in Marxism.
2. Cain believes in defending Individual Rights.

Provide the whole context if you are intent of actually proving a negative where Cain is concerned.

[JDW11235]

I don’t know who to ping or what to do, but I am curious, if you do a keyword search for “999” or click on the “999” keyword on a thread, the keyword search auto-populates with “999liar” and says there are no results. Does anyone else see this, and if so, what does it mean?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Herman Cain: “The role of government, in my view, is to maintain an equal balanced playing field for the citizens and for our society. Not to throw it out of balance.”

3:30 into discussion: Herman Cain on John Stossel Show, Fox News

[presently no screen name]

I'm a tither, also, and God does come first. That's why I question if Cain was indeed a Christian. But this includes even more than tithing - when many Christian organization help out in disasters - who do more than the gov't - as they are their first to arrive and the last to leave - and we give when that emergency need occurs. That now will be on the gov't shoulders now because there will be a major cutback with Samaritan's Purse and all the many and wonderful organizations that do their work quietly and with compassion.

I believe Social Security payments are exempt from the income tax.

Are you speaking about under this plan? However, the senior citizens on fixed incomes still will be paying more.

Revenue at our church has been hurt by the downturn in the economy much more than the tax deduction helps it.

In general that may not be true. There are many large donors and no matter the economy, they look for deductions first. Some will just keep it or spread it out to needy individuals who don't need to claim it or even family members since they can't get a deduction. The churches, missionaries and organizations like the Salvation Army and Red Cross will be hurt severely, IMO.

Do you know will campaign donations be deductible?

If nothing else I believe Cain will force the other candidates and elected officials to address a situation that we have lost to the socialists for 100 years.

Not sure why that is considered good. Being forced to do something doesn't produce anything good. So what we have here are politicians saying he's my plan - elect me so I can implement it as they make it as sweet as they can. WOW! I guess we are in a new era - it's time to throw caution to the wind and start believing politicians who are seeking office. Whoever came up with that idea?

And once in office - they will state we want to do some fine tuning to remove the sugar and as usual we won't have a voice and back to the status quo.

[JDW11235]

Wow, what a moronic position you’re attempting to take. A level playing field isn’t marxist. In fact, it’s the opposite. A level playing field means that the citizens have the opportunity to advance of fail based on their merits. I don’t expect you to know that, CW, you’ve picked your silly, failing pony, Perry. Thanksfully, he’s almost a footnote already, just a few more weeks till he’s out.

[JDW11235]

Wow, what a moronic position you’re attempting to take. A level playing field isn’t marxist. In fact, it’s the opposite. A level playing field means that the citizens have the opportunity to advance or fail based on their merits. I don’t expect you to know that, CW, you’ve picked your silly, failing pony, Perry. Thanksfully, he’s almost a footnote already, just a few more weeks till he’s out.

[SoConPubbie]

Herman Cain: “The role of government, in my view, is to maintain an equal balanced playing field for the citizens and for our society. Not to throw it out of balance.”

3:30 into discussion: Herman Cain on John Stossel Show, Fox News

I don't think you listened to that youtube very closely, in context, Cain is talking about supporting Individual Rights, the normal tug-of-war on the boundary lines of my rights vs. your rights.

There is no negative here.

You're looking for anything to paint Mr. Cain in a negative light.

[Pan_Yan]

Being forced to do something doesn't produce anything good. So what we have here are politicians saying he's my plan - elect me so I can implement it as they make it as sweet as they can. WOW! I guess we are in a new era - it's time to throw caution to the wind and start believing politicians who are seeking office. Whoever came up with that idea?

Why do you vote? Will you at least admit that the current system is bad? Do you support an alternative, any alternative at all?

[presently no screen name]

You appear to have a very strong class warfare problem.

Really. Where do you get that idea from? I'd like to know.

And why not just go to a flat tax. What's this nonsense it's a prelude to it. Just do it - if they claim that's what will eventually happen - I find a politician saying that is something I will not believe. Just do it now - it's certainly would take a lots less effort that this scheme that he will need to explain 50 more times, at least. Seems he's more in favor of this than a flat tax - I don't care what he says to tickle the ears. Show me a politician who doesn't have a gimmick.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I don't think you listened to that youtube very closely, in context, Cain is talking about supporting Individual Rights, the normal tug-of-war on the boundary lines of my rights vs. your rights.

I listened to it several times (a lot of good information in that video btw).

He was asked why government laws and he interjected -- as a stand alone point: “The role of government, in my view, is to maintain an equal balanced playing field for the citizens and for our society. Not to throw it out of balance.”

And then the discussion moved on to his personal opposition to abortion but that it was up to others' to make that choice for themselves.

[presently no screen name]

Why do you vote?

??? A better question who be why does the GOP chose the candidate they want and push him till we have him and approve of certain fringe candidates.

Do you support an alternative, any alternative at all?

Alternative to who?

[presently no screen name]

Exactly.

I want to see a Cain plan about reducing gov’t. Have you come across it? And what about a reduction in the elected officials salaries and perks - since he’s looking for an even playing field. Why should taxpayers be expected to pay their exorbitant salaries and then their increases on their whim. That is not an even playing field. Can’t ask his supporters - even you may be one - because they were so quick to embrace a candidate that now they are in protective mode and eyes and ears are closed to any vetting or questioning. And Cain is a newbie on the block - and they expect voters to blindly support him.