TaxVox: Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

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The voices of Tax Policy Center's researchers and staff

Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

McCain: Grasping for the Mantle of Change

April 7, 2008 –
I spent about 90 minutes this afternoon interviewing John McCain's chief economic adviser, Doug Holtz-Eakin. He laid out what would be a powerfully ambitious domestic agenda for a President McCain, including big upfront initiatives on climate change and Social Security reform. But he also set the stage for what would be an existential battle between the parties over taxes and spending.
Federal Budget and Economy

The Senate Defaults on a Foreclosure Bill

April 3, 2008 –
Why is it that the biggest problems always seem to encourage the worst possible solutions? The latest case in point: The Senate's housing bill, grandly titled "The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008."
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

A Choice, Not an Echo

March 27, 2008 –
If we can get past all the noise about Barack Obama’s minister, Hillary Clinton’s 11-year-old recollection of an airport tarmac, and John McCain’s stumble over which Iraqi gunmen are backed by the Iranians, voters will actually have real choices this November. If you don’t believe it, think about how they’d manage today’s economy.
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Health Care Tax Credits: Not So Fast

March 11, 2008 –
Tax credits for buying health insurance are all the rage. John McCain loves them. So does Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama says he prefers to help people buy coverage with “income-related subsidies,” but these could easily morph into credits as well.
Federal Budget and Economy

Is the Iraq War Ruining the U.S. Economy?

March 4, 2008 –
The political Left claims the war in Iraq is ruining the U.S. economy. At the very least, they insist, we would be using the money that is supporting the occupation for more important domestic priorities, such as reforming health care. At worst, they insist, the war is to blame for current economic slump.
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Health Insurance Tax Breaks: What Comes Next?

February 29, 2008 –
The tax break for employee-sponsored health insurance is the Rodney Dangerfield of the Internal Revenue Code. It gets absolutely no respect.
Federal Budget and Economy

The Medicare Crunch: Do We Blame the Boomers or Health Costs?

February 26, 2008 –
For years, conventional wisdom in Washington said the nation's long-term fiscal crisis is being driven by the aging of the Baby Boomers and their impact on entitlements, such as Social Security and, especially, Medicare and Medicaid.
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Seven Questions for Hillary

February 21, 2008 –
Hillary Clinton has an uphill struggle to win the Democratic nomination for President. But she is still battling, so I have a few questions for her, as I've had for John McCain and Barack Obama.
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Risky Business: McCain Vows "No New Taxes."

February 19, 2008 –
John McCain now says "no new taxes." It may be a great way to play to a still-skeptical GOP base, but it will be a hard pledge for President McCain to keep. To see how tough, just take a look at his own health care plan.
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Barack-onomics: What is It Really?

February 14, 2008 –
After convincing primary wins in Maryland and Virginia on Feb. 12, Barack Obama has the momentum in the Democratic race for president, so, it seems like a good idea to ask some important questions about his fiscal policy agenda.