Posted on 02/08/2016 4:30:07 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Steve Forbes ran for president twice -- in 1996 and 2000 -- spending a reported $69 million of his own money in failed bids to win the Republican nomination. His campaigns mostly focused on establishing a flat income tax and other similar economic reforms.
The multi-millionaire chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media isn't running for president this time around, but he does have a new book out this week (Reviving America), promoting three big reforms he believes America should adopt: repeal and replace Obamacare with something akin to a free-market health-care system; scrapping the Federal income tax code in favor of a flat tax; and overhauling the Federal Reserve, including re-linking the U.S. dollar with the price of gold.
We sat down with Forbes, 68, for a brief chat during a visit to TheStreet offices in New York. Here's what he had to say about Donald Trump, what other Republican candidates need to do, and who he's considering supporting for president. This interview has been condensed for clarity and length.
Must Read: Steve Forbes' Plan to Revive America: Drop Obamacare, Flatten Tax Code
TheStreet: Donald Trump has made a huge splash in this election.
Steve Forbes: He's tapped into -- in a way I don't think he anticipated, nor did anyone else -- into the depth of the anger, frustration, contempt of Americans for the political class.
As you know, most Americans still think we're in a recession. Most Americans have seen their real wages decline in the last six years. They sense -- they don't have to be told it -- that this is the worst recovery from a recession in American history.
Then you compound that with the feeling that this current administration does not have its heart in fighting Islamic terrorism...that's a lethal combination.
The question becomes which candidate or candidates are going to be able to tap into it in a positive way, like Reagan did in the late '70s and early '80s.
TST: It sounds like you're implying that he's tapped into something very cleverly, but his message isn't positive or the right Republican or conservative message.
SF: It's been a mixed message. His tax plan is pretty good. It's not a flat tax, which I advocate, and several other candidates have gotten on board. Certainly what he's proposed is better than what we have today. On trade, I am a free trader. I don't want tariffs -- to me, tariffs are taxes.
And on immigration, I think his proposals are a non-starter, legally and morally. But what is out there is that people do want far more effective methods in dealing with Islamic terrorism.
So, what he has sensed in a way the others haven't is what the mood of a lot of people is. Every time he makes a statement, it causes a "hoo-ha."
What candidates should be doing is not complaining about trump. They can denounce his proposals, but instead of whining about it -- that he sucks the oxygen out of the room -- if you want to be heard, have something to say.
If you ask voters, what is Jeb Bush's theme? Blank. What are the others' themes? Well, they have some good ideas, but they haven't connected the dots -- the way that Reagan did in '80, the way that Kennedy did in '60. These people who make their living in politics haven't stepped up to the plate and acted like entrepreneurs -- if I have a message, how do I get it out there? If the electorate has changed, how do I do it?
TST: Do you think he has a chance of winning the Republican nomination?
SF: I'm humbled. I don't rule anything out now. Who would have thought Bernie sanders, looking at the other side would get 30%-to-40% of the vote -- everyone is focused on Republicans but look at this guy!
It shows people are dissatisfied, whether it's on the left or on the right.
TST: Is there someone you do support for president?
SF: No. I compare it to the dating game. I keep on looking at the candidates and finding good things in some and trying to piece it all together.
TST: Based on some of the policies you put forward in your new book, that you've been putting forward for a while, if I could just reach a little bit, it sounds like Rand Paul is a candidate that would be close to getting your support. Is he or any of the other candidates maybe a little bit in the lead in terms of your support?
SF: I don't agree with him on foreign policy. But I think both he and [Ted] Cruz, Cruz especially, is ahead of understanding the problems at the Fed. So, I like that. They both have flat tax proposals, but I wish they'd get rid of the VAT component. So, none are quite there, but some get pieces of it.
[Marco] Rubio for example is very good on foreign policy but his tax proposal is one of the worst ones out there.
Skip right past HER posts.
Getting annoyed in the morning is no way to start your day.
If you have time and you’re available to access the following link, Donald Trump’s first Rally of this day is due to start soon.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3394274/posts?page=16#16
I'm not surprised Ron Paul would say that, he's a sour grapes kind of guy, always has been.
I suggest that you read this. It was written by Iowa libertarian Joel Kurtinitis.
I can respect that but since I have become aroused over this annoyance I need for Jim to give me his feelings in the matter. If I’m out of line then perhaps I should become a monthly donor just like you.
Have a good day
Need? That’s not how FR works, i.e. it isn’t a CULT. Or a HIVE.
Since you brought up “thinking” why not think about considering backing off your intense need to post, post and post; just asking, not quite begging yet; please give poor old Donald Trump some oxygen
Do you think 34 posts by you on the “I have at least 20 muslim friends” says Donald Trump, but can’t name them; may be just a little overkill, or intense. Please share!
One was even 1697 words, 56 paragraphs and 134 lines all professionally formatted. My, you do have skills.
Ok, I’m finished for now, I’m out the door but my wife will take over for now. “Honey, I’m leaving, your turn!”
Yes I work real hard on this because it is IMPORTANT to me - for my kids and grandkids.
You think that you hold the high ground for some reason on which candidate is best.
You criticize my posting (I spend a lot of time making it readable and to bring something coherent to the forum).
You don’t like it, that’s your right but why do you have to make it so personal to me.
Argue your points, period.
The tax on businesses, which is effectively a VAT, is offset by the elimination of the payroll tax. For some businesses this will be a wash, for others a boon, and for others, a cost that will be passed on to their customers.
The analysis from the Tax Foundation shows the overall effect to be a boon to the economy:
According to the Tax Foundation's Taxes and Growth Model, the plan would significantly reduce marginal tax rates and the cost of capital, which would lead to a 13.9 percent higher GDP over the long term, provided that the tax cut could be appropriately financed.The plan would also lead to a 43.9 percent larger capital stock, 12.2 percent higher wages, and 4.8 million more full-time equivalent jobs.
On a static basis, the plan would cut taxes by 9.2 percent, on average, for all taxpayers.
Accounting for economic growth, all taxpayers would see an increase in after-tax income of at least 14 percent at the end of the decade.
I don't need another convoluted hypercomplex analysis from Ted Cruz or the Tax Foundation explaining how I will be better off when I pay more taxes.
mm hmm. The Iowa libertarian that works for Cruz.
How about this piece in the libertarian mag Reason, which breaks down all the reasons Cruz is a no go for libertarians.
-excerpt-
Get beyond economics and some constitutional issues, and Cruz’s record is far less libertarian.
Take foreign policy. -snip-
But Cruz is no non-interventionist. On the campaign trail he talks about “bombing ISIS back to the Stone Age,” “carpet-bombing,” and even making “sand glow in the dark” - a surprisingly unremarked threat to use nuclear weapons for the first in 70 years...
-snip-
And then there’s his hostility to immigration and gay marriage.
-snip-
That’s not the attitude that welcomed tens of millions of immigrants, including Cruz’s father, to this country.
-snip-
In November Cruz appeared at a “religious liberties” conference organized by pastor Kevin P. Swanson, who railed at the conference, as he had said many times before, “YES! Leviticus 20:13 calls for the death penalty for homosexuals. YES! Romans Chapter 1, Verse 32, the Apostle Paul does say that homosexuals are worthy of death...And I am willing to go to jail for standing on the truth of the word of God.”
-end excerpt
That last one is a biggie. It’ll sink Ted with independents too. I do not post this because I agree with these libertarian point’s. Just to point out the absurdity of libertarians flocking to St. Cruz.
So again I ask, Do you read the crap you post?
Yes I read the material I post.
I also read that piece in Reason, that you’re quoted (but didn’t linking).
You think all libertarians are in lock step?
My link was to this piece and it describes the divide very nicely.
https://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2016/02/ted-cruz-quiet-coup-iowa/
You’re evidence of libertarians supporting Cruz was written by a Cruz staffer. Small surprise there.
“You think all libertarians are in lock step?”
No, but apparently you do. Otherwise what is the point of your thread?
“Ted promised to eliminate the IRS. What he did not tell us is he will create an even bigger bureaucracy in its place.”
He’s pulling the same thing with education...his plan sounds more like Common Core and is a great danger to home schoolers...he slipped this one in when no one was looking.
http://freedomoutpost.com/2016/01/ted-cruzs-federal-education-choice-kills-the-america-dream/
January 26, 2016
Ted Cruz’s Federal Education “Choice” Kills the American Dream
[snip]By Dangling Title I Money to ALL Parents, Sen. Ted Cruz Accelerates Federal Control Over All Private, Religious, and Homeschools, and Blankets Common Core Equitably to ALL Schools in America With His Proposed Bill, S 306.
Source
On Oct. 26, 2015, The Blaze quoted Sen. Ted Cruz as saying, “School Choice Is Today’s ‘Civil Rights’ Issue.” But before you get excited about this, ask Sen. Ted Cruz what he means when he uses the term “choice.....If I had not read the sponsors of this bill I would think this legislation came right out of President Obama’s Equity Plan called For Each and Every Child: A STRATEGY FOR EDUCATION EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE.
But but but, it’s from Cruz, so it must be good!
I’m sick to death of his endless lawyer gibberish.
And sorry that Forbes believes Trump ‘stumbled’ onto something, for petes sake, the favorable rating for Congress has been below 10% for YEARS. How anyone could be ‘surprised’ at the amount of anger out here is just daft.
Donald Trump got rich via eminent domain or Carson is dropping out after Iowa or Cruz was never in favor of legalizing illegals but my favorite is Cruz did not know he was a Canadian. Lies lies lies, your guy is a liar.
Bump!
Why is Trump considering Cruz for VP?
Doesn't Trump know that Cruz is a Canadian?
Someone should tell him.
Hard to believe ?
Why are you always posting Establishment propaganda?
Good grief!
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