Fred! Amnesty

January 19, 2008 22:38 pm

by Chris Huttman · 121 comments

OK, Peach Pundit Fred Thompson backers…it ain’t gonna happen. He stayed in the race long enough to deny Huckabee a much needed South Carolina win, but I can’t imagine he’ll stay in after Florida, and he may drop out and try to throw his weight behind someone else before then in an effort to regain some of the credibility that he had and then watched erode as the race has gone on.

Consider this an open thread on Presidential politics. For all you Fred supporters, renounce now in the comments and we promise not to make fun of you for your prior bad judgement in the future. After all, it is kind of funny to think back on the glory days of Fredmania and note that Fred Thompson even had his own category here on PP.

{ 121 comments }

Romegaguy January 20, 2008 at 6:34 pm

pedopile?

Do you know who Hutchinson is spinning for?

John Konop January 20, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Rome

Do you think Hutchinson works for Rasmussen?

Romegaguy January 20, 2008 at 8:57 pm

Did I say he does you idiot?

Romegaguy January 20, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Give us a link to that blog you write John that nobody reads…. and also tell us about how you almost got elected to Congress

John Konop January 20, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Rome

Hutchinson gave an opinion that matched a poll from Rasmussen. I did know that I had to help you put the two concepts together. I am sorry. I thought you could process information beyond a talking point. If you need further help I will do my best to help you.

As far as the constant personal attacks against me by you really do not bother me, I just consider the source.

Ian January 20, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Indy,

Economic dislocations are THE problem with an INCOME tax system that is highly manipulable – subject to influence by lobbyists and continual revision by politicians, taxes business resources and payroll whose costs can NOT be extracted from export prices and results in higher domestic “price tags” for consumers.

Clearly, the answer is in front of us – the FAIRTAX ( http://snipr.com/irsgone ); that’s right, the same plan ardently advocated by Gov. Huckabee ( http://snipr.com/fthuckabeeonirs ) and demagogued by people like Bruce Bartlett ( http://snipr.com/foulbb ) – and you, of course.

The research makes a compelling case for EVERYONE to get involved in voicing their support for the FairTax Act of 2007 (HR 25 / S 1025) that’s been reintroduced into every session of Congress since 1999, and with growing numbers of co-sponsors ( http://snipr.com/fters ). Mr. Huckabee’s advocacy of the FairTax ( http://snipr.com/irsgone ) is the single most important policy position in this election. Here’s why:

The FairTax rate of 23 percent on a total taxable consumption base of $11.244 trillion will generate $2.586 trillion dollars – $358 billion more than the taxes it replaces ( http://snipurl.com/whatratewks ). [BHKPT]

The FairTax has the broadest base and the lowest rate of any single-rate tax reform plan ( http://snipurl.com/baserate ). [THBP]

Real wages are 10.3 percent, 9.5 percent, and 9.2 percent higher in years 1, 10, and 25, respectively than would otherwise be the case ( http://snipurl.com/realwages ). [THBNP]

The economy as measured by GDP is 2.4 percent higher in the first year and 11.3 percent higher by the 10th year than it would otherwise be ( http://snipurl.com/econbenes ). [ALM]

Consumption benefits ( http://snipurl.com/econbenes ) [ALM]:

• Disposable personal income is higher than if the current tax system remains in place: 1.7 percent in year 1, 8.7 percent in year 5, and 11.8 percent in year 10.

• Consumption increases by 2.4 percent more in the first year, which grows to 11.7 percent more by the tenth year than it would be if the current system were to remain in place.

• The increase in consumption is fueled by the 1.7 percent increase in disposable (after-tax) personal income that accompanies the rise in incomes from capital and labor once the FairTax is enacted.

• By the 10th year, consumption increases by 11.7 percent over what it would be if the current tax system remained in place, and disposable income is up by 11.8 percent.

Over time, the FairTax benefits all income groups. Of 42 household types (classified by income, marital status, age), all have lower average remaining lifetime tax rates under the FairTax than they would experience under the current tax system ( http://snipurl.com/kotcomparetaxrates ). [KR]

Implementing the FairTax at a 23 percent rate gives the poorest members of the generation born in 1990 a 13.5 percent improvement in economic well-being; their middle class and rich contemporaries experience a 5 percent and 2 percent improvement, respectively ( http://snipurl.com/kotftmacromicro ). [JK]

Based on standard measures of tax burden, the FairTax is more progressive than the individual income tax, payroll tax, and the corporate income tax ( http://snipurl.com/lessregress ). [THBPN]

Charitable giving increases by $2.1 billion (about 1 percent) in the first year over what it would be if the current system remained in place, by 2.4 percent in year 10, and by 5 percent in year 20 ( http://snipurl.com/moregiving ). [THPDB]

On average, states could cut their sales tax rates by more than half, or 3.2 percentage points from 5.4 to 2.2 percent, if they conformed their state sales tax bases to the FairTax base ( http://snipurl.com/staterates ). [TBJ]

The FairTax provides the equivalent of a supercharged mortgage interest deduction, reducing the true cost of buying a home by 19 percent ( http://snipurl.com/homebenes ). [WM]

ALERT: Kotlikoff refutes Bruce Bartlett’s shabby critiques of the FairTax ( http://snipr.com/bbrebuke ).

ReaganRepublican January 20, 2008 at 10:47 pm

McCain/ Huckabee ticket would be unbeatble. Better than Reagan /Bush:
International affairs=McCain
Fiscal conservative= Fair Tax (huck)
social conservative=Huckabee

The perfect unbeatable coalition……. The Reagan GOP is back…

GOPeach January 20, 2008 at 11:26 pm

RR -

I will support HUCKABEE period!
Prez. OR VP…. He is just what this nation needs!

GOPeach January 20, 2008 at 11:30 pm

GOD BLESS HUCKABEE!

God calls HUCKABEE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yj_okz7ZwI

juliobarrios January 20, 2008 at 11:37 pm

It worries me to think there are people out there who believe the federal income tax is the only tax we pay, but it would explain a lot as far as the complacency of the citizenry when it comes to getting raped by the taxman.

My 50% of our income/freedom we pay in taxes was a conservative estimate. Just off the top of my head in addition to the federal income tax I can think of state income tax, sales tax, property tax, ad valorem tax, payroll tax (both employer and employee), embedded taxes (see employer payroll tax for one example), and extra taxes for alcohol; cigarettes; and gas (which also affects are choices), other excise taxes, and unfunded mandates (could definitely make the argument it’s a tax since the government is requiring you to spend money). Just thought of these quickly, I’m sure some economists could come up with many more.

I don’t think the argument was about comparing the USA to other countries who have even less choice then us, I think it was if we simply have a choice over how we spend our money and our lives. When the Government takes the biggest chunk of the fruits of our labor, I’d say we don’t have a lot of choice over our lives.

Americans love to talk about freedom and choice, but the fact is most have no idea what freedom is. If you were to actually define it to most it would scare the hell out of them – no safety nets, no helping you make choices through regulation of virtually every aspect of our lives from banking, fishing, hunting and stocks to healthcare, food prep, pets and hair salons.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with some regulation, but at least I’m honest with myself and accept the fact I’m giving up freedom and choices in exchange for the “safety”.

GOPeach January 20, 2008 at 11:41 pm

FRED THOMPSON is a LOBBYIST!

Mike ( FAIR TAX) Huckabee – Makes sense.

Stop FRED THOMPSON!

GOPeach January 20, 2008 at 11:44 pm
TPSoCal January 20, 2008 at 11:58 pm

If Fred drops out, I am going with my second choice McCain. I don’t like any of them except Fred. In fact, I still may vote for Fred as a “I don’t like ANY of the others!” vote.

TPSoCal January 21, 2008 at 12:04 am

I have to ask a serious question as an outsider of PP. Is GOPeach real? No insult intended, she is just so “enthusiastic”.

Brian Laurens January 21, 2008 at 12:39 am

Fred stays in as long as he helps McCain. Hopefully Thompson supporters realize this now and will leave this tool before it is too late. This includes you Chip.

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 6:28 am

Agreed Brian.

Fred can ACT like a president all day long but I have a message for Freddy T.

THIS IS NOT A FLIPPIN TV SHOW!!!!
Time to leave the “set” and stop reading the cue cards from Washington!

Philly January 21, 2008 at 7:22 am

Whoaa!!!! The McCain Train caused the Huckabus to wreck!!

What do you Huckabee supporters have to say about that!! You bragged about how well Huckabee would do.

Fred Thompson had a better showing than I expected him to. He should stay in and accumulate delegates. He would make a great Vice President!!

Huckabee is dead and just has not realized it yet. I would hope John McCain would be intelligent enough not to put Huckabee on as VP. Fred Thompson and Sen. DeMint would make a good VP’s. Sen. McCain needs a VP with a strong anti illegal immigration record.

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 7:35 am

PHILLY -

HUCKABEE IS STILL IN IT!!!!!

Thompson AIN’T even in the top 3! GET REAL!

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 7:39 am
GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 7:43 am
Romegaguy January 21, 2008 at 10:43 am

God bless the voters of SC for not voting for the snake oil salesman

rugby_fan January 21, 2008 at 11:15 am

Julio:

You still miss the point. These freedoms you are giving up is part of a social contract. I won’t bother to sum up 400 years of political philosophy but, essentially, you have no freedom if there is not some form of regulation on your life.

But besides all that, tell me one instance in the last week, where you said in your everyday life choices, you wanted to do something but you couldn’t because of the government. Be honest with yourself and don’t be so paranoid.

Jace Walden January 21, 2008 at 11:18 am

Rugby,

If Julio is a gay man, Government prevented him from getting married in his home state.

Jace Walden January 21, 2008 at 11:18 am

Government prevented me from buying some good ass Samuel Adams yesterday.

jsm January 21, 2008 at 11:40 am

If Fred drops out, I am going with my second choice McCain. I don’t like any of them except Fred. In fact, I still may vote for Fred as a “I don’t like ANY of the others!” vote.

I’m with you SoCal. I vote my conscience and beliefs, no matter what. I seem to be drawn to candidates with the right positions but bad campaigning skills. I call it the ‘Mac Collins Syndrome.’

jsm January 21, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Whoops. I’m with SoCal, *except for the McCain part.

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 1:23 pm

RUGBY-

” SOCIAL CONTRACT” ???????????

Who the hell signed a SOCIAL CONTARCT???
That is an intangible ethereal bunch of horse- sh*t!

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 1:24 pm

Rugby-

You are quite a mystic aren’t cha?

GOPeach January 21, 2008 at 1:24 pm

JACE-

Buy your beer on Saturday – the REAL SABBATH!

Jace Walden January 21, 2008 at 1:52 pm

That’s just the thing, GOPeach. How am I supposed to keep the real Sabbath day holy if its the only day that I can buy beer before nanny government cuts me off for the week?

debbie0040 January 21, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Peach, Fred has never made the statement that wives need to be in subjection to their husbands like Huckabee has…

Holly January 21, 2008 at 2:20 pm

What exactly was the comment?

debbie0040 January 21, 2008 at 2:22 pm

It was a comment Huckabee made a few years ago about wives being in subjection to their husbands as the Bible directs. A reporter asked him about it and he refused to go back on what he said. It happend about the same time as the AIDS quarantine comment

IndyInjun January 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Rome – The SC voters seem to havetorpedoed the Huckaship as he is at 13% in Florida and sinking fast.

Holly January 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm

Oh, then he was quoting Ephesians 6. Though it is not what today’s “feel good” society wants to hear, that book of the Bible lays out a pretty clear picture of how to properly love.

There are a lot of things to legitimately hit Huckabee on. Referring to scripture, no matter how “inconvenient” the verse is to our current culture, isn’t something I’d attack him on. . . but that’s just me.

debbie0040 January 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I was responding to this from GOPEAch and just pointing out fact.

“Fred CLEARLY sees WOMEN as LESS than men.

Hillary would eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!”

GOP Girl January 21, 2008 at 10:01 pm

argghghghghhrhrhrhrhghghghhghghg.

Fred is Dead.

I have no candidate.

:0(

ReaganRepublican January 21, 2008 at 11:04 pm

Debbie, please do not support McCain/Huckabee, You are a jinx, you always pick loosers. That goes for you too Laurens/waterboy……… Stick to your magical underwear wearing freak………..

ConservativeCaucus January 21, 2008 at 11:39 pm

Debbie, come on now – please tell me that you understand that passage of the Bible – and that his opponents are trying to score political points over something, if properly understood, is well within the mainstream of popular thought:

Marriage is not a 50-50 deal, but rather we are submitting to each other as husband and wife… this is about the man and the woman loving each other the way God intended. If you want to join the elite media and try to demagouge the issue, feel free to, I am just a little disappointed.

Huckabee’s response to a silly question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VckYXlyrB7M

debbie0040 January 22, 2008 at 7:31 am

Huckabee can not win in November. He can not attract non evangelical support. He only gets 40% of evangelical support. It is because of statements he has made like this and ammending the Constitution. Huckabee is using religion to get votes and many people resent that. Huckabee is someone you either love or hate. He is polarizing.

The Bible also says that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Funny how men just seem to forget about that scripture and just quote the subjection one.

debbie0040 January 22, 2008 at 7:32 am

Sometimes things are better off thought and not spoken. Huckabee has not realized that yet…

jsm January 22, 2008 at 9:47 am

Fred is Dead.

I have no candidate.

Same here, GOP Girl. It’s kinda depressing.

Jace Walden January 22, 2008 at 11:46 am

GOPGirl and JSM:

There is hope for the both of you. Now that Fred is dead, there is only one clear conservative choice hands down:

http://www.ronpaul2008.com

Remember why you supported Fred. You may have a litany of reasons, but I’d be willing to bet the underlying reason was because he represented a conservative alternative to McCain, Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee. Fortunately for you, there is still a conservative alternative in the race:

http://www.ronpaul2008.com

jsm January 22, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Jace, I support our presence in Iraq and the work that is being done there. I also do not agree with Paul regarding our relationship with Israel. These are fundamental issues on which I cannot give in.

ChuckEaton January 22, 2008 at 2:42 pm
griftdrift January 22, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Freds dead, baby. Fred’s dead.

shep1975 January 22, 2008 at 3:20 pm

And Debbie, McCain, Romney and Rudy cannot attract significant support from Evangelicals. Apparently you can’t win with them, you can’t win without them.

They walked in 1998 and 2006 and look what happened. I guess we can just plan on saying “good morning” to President Clinton come Jan. 22.

ConservativeCaucus January 22, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Debbie, thank you for making my point – Gov. Huckabee correctly said that the passage is about husbands and wives loving each other, not about someone being more important than the other.

debbie0040 January 22, 2008 at 3:38 pm

And with Huckabee as the nominee the fiscal conservatives would have walked… Huckabee can not attract outside of the evangelicals and he does garner all their support.

debbie0040 January 22, 2008 at 3:38 pm

does not garner

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