<p>In an interview in conjunction with his big economic speech in New York, Senator Obama tells CNBCs Maria Bartiromo he favors increasing the capital-gains tax rate.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Obama_talks_capgains_rate_with_CNBC.html[/url]”>http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Obama_talks_capgains_rate_with_CNBC.html</a></p>
<p>Obama calls for tougher regulations, more oversight, but offers no specifics.</p>
<p>Like his entire campaign - words no meat</p>
<p>[Obama</a> offers plan for economic woes - Barack Obama News - MSNBC.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23828234/]Obama”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23828234/)</p>
<p>I am questioning…are you shocked? People have said for months he was an empty suit. </p>
<p>Heck, I am still waiting for the man to show me how he will withdraw from Iraq immediately without creating a vacuum and getting the senate and congress to agree on a plan. Last time I checked the immigration bill is still on hold! </p>
<p>When he can show me his plan, and that he has support in the capitol, than we can ask him about how he is going to give nationalized health care, because the GAO states that for his plan every American that is employed and has federal taxes with held in their paycheck, will see an increase of 44% to pay for his health program.</p>
<p>I am disgusted with the presidential promises…not because they say them, but because people don’t understand it is likely never to happen…then we get to hear it wasn’t my fault (as in parties), but the other side. Look the DNC is now stating that it is Florida Republicans that are to blame for the votes not counting…UGH!</p>
<p>I hope we hold him to his pledge, and that taxes go much higher!</p>
<p>Somebody’s got to pay the 3 Trillion for the Bush Boondoggle (and, yes, the ethnic cleansing, oops sorry, the so-called surge is working), and it’s about time someone put forward a pledge to do so.</p>
<p>(not that Obama has…)</p>
<p>We don’t have to wait for the candidates from either party to raise taxes. We are already taxed by the devaluation of the “strong dollar” [Economics</a> Blog : Bush Would Like a Stronger Dollar](<a href=“http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/03/12/bush-would-like-a-stronger-dollar/]Economics”>http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/03/12/bush-would-like-a-stronger-dollar/)</p>
<p><a href=“http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2007/09/fear-of-a-dolla.html[/url]”>http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2007/09/fear-of-a-dolla.html</a> or goog “cruelest tax 198X”</p>
<p>Well, then it will have to be devalued A LOT MORE to deal with Three Trillion for the Bush Follies.</p>
<p>I figure whoever gets us out of Iraq the quickest lowers my taxes the most. Capital gains? Until very recently I didn’t have any to speak of.</p>
<p>$3 trillion is an estimate assuming a vast variety of expenses, correct?</p>
<p>even the washington post’s rather inflammatory article (<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030702846.html[/url]”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030702846.html</a>) says that all costs hidden and admitted-counting Afghanistan-will total right around $1.5 trillion when all is said and done. That includes actual costs, defense budget costs, veteran’s benefits, and even money to replenish the entire armed forces’ weapons and equipment after the war. </p>
<p>The WP adds the other $1.5 trillion in its ‘conservative estimate’ by adding other things (the current economic woes are mentioned, for example) to the pile. Is this the $3 trillion you are talking about?</p>
<p>The NYT put the total cost of the war at $1.2 trillion in January–and with costs of around a few billion a week, that would put the figure close to the WP’s first total amount. It seems that Iraq’s cost is currently only half of what you are saying, mini.</p>
<p>NYT article: <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/business/17leonhardt.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/business/17leonhardt.html</a></p>
<p>oh mini, you know as I know as they know, It is not us but Them, who will suffer the inflation consequences. </p>
<p>I loaded up with student loans, fixed, 2002-2006 at 2008 bank passbook saving rates, with 25 year payback. Love that inflation.</p>
<p>Bush and Cheny are in Oil, they are not going to be affected. Looking out for 1.</p>
<p>More bleu cheese, anyone?</p>
<p>Only a fool (read: George Bush) believes you can cut taxes, fight two wars and make no changes in government services for the citizens. Bush’s fiscal irresponsibility is staggering.</p>
<p>I’ll take my Nobel Prize-winning economist, thank you:</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict: Joseph E. Stiglitz,Linda J. Bilmes: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Three-Trillion-Dollar-War-Conflict/dp/0393067017/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206714884&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Three-Trillion-Dollar-War-Conflict/dp/0393067017/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206714884&sr=8-1)</p>
<p>though he thinks three trillion may be an underestimate.</p>
<p>thisoldman–lucky for you. yeah, savers like my family look like chumps, don’t we?</p>
<p>As far as capital gains, Simba, I got none. So, he’s not raising *my *taxes.</p>
<p>But even if he were. We got bills to pay, starting with that 3 trillion. the responsible thing to do is pay them–that means taxes.</p>
<p>bulletandpima: That is a caricature of Obama’s positions. </p>
<p>1) He consistently says that he will BEGIN the withdrawal process, starting on day one with a meeting with the military leaders to get them to draw up plans. Nobody, not Bush, not McCain, can or should put forward military plans to the public. The details of the withdrawal plans will remain secret, I would expect.</p>
<p>2) He has not proposed “nationalized health care” and all independent assessments consider Obama’s plan to cost less than Clinton’s. (McCain doesn’t have one). </p>
<p>But I’m with you on the acknowledgement that presidential promises are meaningless and that is why I don’t look for specific details in their proposals. More important to hear what their goals are, not how they plan to get their. If a candidate’s stated goals are counter to your own priorities, then you have a problem.</p>
<p>thisoldman–lucky for you. yeah, savers like my family look like chumps, don’t we?</p>
<p>As far as capital gains, Simba, I got none. So, he’s not raising *my *taxes.</p>
<p>But even if he were. We got bills to pay, starting with that 3 trillion. the responsible thing to do is pay them–that means taxes.</p>
<p>thisoldman–lucky for you. yeah, savers like my family look like chumps, don’t we?</p>
<p>As far as capital gains, Simba, I got none. So, he’s not raising *my *taxes.</p>
<p>But even if he were. We got bills to pay, starting with that 3 trillion. the responsible thing to do is pay them–that means taxes.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Really, you believe it will remain secretive…I am pretty sure the world will get a big clue when the Cargo planes start loading tanks on them…or when they take off with troops on them. What are they going to do, sneak them out in the middl of the night?</p>
<p>I was referring to the <em>details</em> of the withdrawal plans… as in exactly when, how fast, from where, by what route, etc. What I have read is that much of the equipment, some pretty expensive, will be intentionally destroyed rather than shipped back.</p>
<p>Mind you, I am in favor of staying there until it is possible to return the country to the Iraqis in at least half as decent a shape as we found it when we invaded.</p>
<p>simba,
Is Hillary NOT going to raise taxes? </p>
<p>Does Hillary ever lie?</p>
<p>Has Hillary outlined a clear economic plan. Lot of money needed for the Health PLan. :o</p>
<p>“Does Hillary ever lie?”</p>
<p>She does not. She misspeaks.</p>
<p>“Has Hillary outlined a clear economic plan. Lot of money needed for the Health PLan.”</p>
<p>Yup. Couple of trillion over 20 years for her friends in the health insurance business and their lobbyists to provide (or NOT provide) the same services that could be delivered to all NOW, with an extra additional penny.</p>
<p>(Obama’s plan is no better.)</p>