Video: Matthews admits Obama tax plan is welfare
posted at 8:50 am on November 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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In a backhanded, passive way, of course, but Chris Matthews concedes that Haley Barbour gave the “right answer” on Barack Obama’s tax plan. Barbour told Matthews that refundable tax credits to people who pay no taxes amounts to welfare, and Matthews challenges him by saying that even the lowest-income workers pay “payroll tax” — meaning FICA (Social Security). Barbour responds:
According to Matthews, Obama intends to subsidize FICA payments through refundables, making Social Security cost-free or close to it, depending on income levels. As Barbour notes, that makes Social Security something very different than the pension plan it has been since its inception. That turns it into a welfare program on a massive scale, something FDR warned against when he created the program during the Depression.
In fact, it turns Social Security into a massive wealth-redistribution system rather than a pension plan.
In the end, Matthews can only smirk and admit Barbour is right. Why the smirk? Because Matthews is pretty sure that it won’t make any difference at this point.
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This is going to be the worst night of Chrissy Tingles’ life. I recommend that everyone record it for future enjoyment.
ManlyRash on November 4, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Ayers arrives at the Beluah Shoesmith Elementary School just before Obama to cast his ballot. LOL Guess more nice peoples from same neighborhood like Reverend Wrigh, Louis Farrakhan, Tony Rezko will be voting soon in Beluah Shoesmith Elementary School.
will13smith on November 4, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Thanks for arriving so late to the party, Chris, you d!ckhead.
seejanemom on November 4, 2008 at 8:59 AM
He smirked because he knew he knew his attempt to cover up the reality of Obama’s tax plan was easily exposed. He felt sheepish in the face of the truth and had to admit it.
Matthews has always been the guy that supports the candidate with the most convincing argument whether it’s based in truth or not.
nitzsche on November 4, 2008 at 8:59 AM
I SURE HOPE you are right, Manly…
seejanemom on November 4, 2008 at 9:00 AM
*scratches face with middle finger at Matthews*
Mcguyver on November 4, 2008 at 9:00 AM
I find Barbour’s plainspoken common (conservative) sense refreshing. And with a proper Southern accent no less.
Matthews knows Haley is right, but he does not care. He supports it precisely because it’s welfare.
flyfisher on November 4, 2008 at 9:00 AM
OF COURSE he has always known it.
The SMIRK was not at his admission of what he has always known, BUT AT THE LAZY AMERICAN DOLTS THAT HE HAS FOOLED FOR THESE LAST TWO YEARS.
seejanemom on November 4, 2008 at 9:01 AM
From ABC Political Punch
Among the Other Voters
November 04, 2008 8:38 AM
CHICAGO, Ill. — Among the other voters who have shown up to vote at Shoesmith Elementary School this morning, where Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will vote: Louis Farrakhan and William Ayers.
Seriously.
Welcome to the South Side of Chicago.
- jpt
will13smith on November 4, 2008 at 9:05 AM
“You gave the right answer” -arbiter of truth Chris “tuml” Matthews.
Spirit of 1776 on November 4, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I did not hear welfare. I heard that social security is limited to paying out what you paid in (from them both). As far as I know, that is incorrect. That would be a pension scheme. SS seems to operate as insurance (but grossly under-capitalized).
gh on November 4, 2008 at 9:09 AM
They are starting to get honest since they believe that they have this election wrapped up.
carbon_footprint on November 4, 2008 at 9:12 AM
One way or another, I’m afraid, a revolution is coming.
TinMan13 on November 4, 2008 at 9:12 AM
How is it that it takes a good ol’ Southern boy (and smart as a whip one, by the way) to succinctly make the case that Team McCain apparently hasn’t been able to. Barbour’s answer is short, smart, historically correct, and powerful.
Win or lose, maybe we can get some… uh… smart folks to surround our next candidate? Just a thought.
Sugar Land on November 4, 2008 at 9:12 AM
It is nothing like insurance, and any insurance company that conducted its affairs like SS is run would find itself in forced liquidation and its officers under indictment.
Akzed on November 4, 2008 at 9:14 AM
As a fellow Mississippian I will admit the accent may be too much for some, and would be ridiculed by the Manhatten set should he step into national politics, but he is one wonderfully smart man.
I think the reason he did not make the short list for VP is his commitment (like Jindal) to see his state through its recovery from Katrina.
Palin/Jindal/Barbour – true conservatives, the party’s future.
digitsiam on November 4, 2008 at 9:15 AM
How is the candidate of Daily Kos and Moveon going to be received once he starts to actually govern. O spent the primary running as a liberal and once that was locked up he moved right. He has made too many promises that he will not be able to keep and I predict his honey moon will be short lived. Our pain will be his doom as a president.
Howcome on November 4, 2008 at 9:15 AM
this country is going to hell in a handbasket at the hands of idiots.
GREAT!
benrand on November 4, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Go Haley!
*Mississippian here*
NoFanofLibs on November 4, 2008 at 9:16 AM
The lowest paid SHOULD pay FICA. They consume more benefits than anyone else. That’s the least they could do.
drjohn on November 4, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Yeah, 15% of every dollar earned is under capitalization.
Pretty soon, my childrens’ oatmeal sandwich will be under capitalized.
Saltysam on November 4, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Matthews is the small child caught in a lie. The intellectually dishonesty of this creep is appalling. No wonder his ratings are the lowest for his hour on the air.
volsense on November 4, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Why has it taken this long to get around to discussing social Security taxes? That’s where the stealth tax increases are going to be located.
forest on November 4, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Well,Chris will wipe that ear to ear smirk
off his face when Team Hopey/GaffeBidens
keel turns turtle and Changey’s presidential
bid slides into the Political Aybss!!
canopfor on November 4, 2008 at 9:24 AM
The FICA “taxes” are really premiums for mandatory benefit programs. These premiums are a fixed percent of income but the benefits in the retirement system are very progressive. The formula has a minimum benefits and is calculated as returning 90% of the lowest bracket in the average followed by 32% of the middle bracket and finally 15% of any part of the average that falls in the highest bracket of the average of your salaries that were covered by rates.
If Obama thinks that people should not have to pay these premiums, he should allow them to opt out of the programs.
Laurence on November 4, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Does anyone know when the media stopped calling it Social Security INSURANCE and started calling it a “Payroll Tax?”
This change in nomenclature kind of snuck up on me.
I would appreciate a serious answer.
Babs on November 4, 2008 at 9:30 AM
This is not the only truth that will be revealed by the all smirky Matthews… he won’t be able to hold it all back.
I agree, we should be able to opt out of SS, I am sure I can do better than the goverment, especially if THE ONE is crowned…
NJMaire on November 4, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Give the devil his do. Mathews got pwned and acknowledged Barbour’s command of the issue.
Christoph on November 4, 2008 at 9:33 AM
It’s the same smirk a little boy has as he pulls the wings off a bug or is doing wrong.
abinitioadinfinitum on November 4, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Great. That rustling sound in your pockets that you’ll start hearing tomorrow is the govt rifling through your wallet looking for money to pilfer.
moxie_neanderthal on November 4, 2008 at 9:40 AM
get ready to spread more than your wealth of obama gets in
tamtam20 on November 4, 2008 at 9:43 AM
I don’t know Babs, but they also call it “self-employment tax” and “FICA”. It’s almost like there’s an intentional effort to confuse the situation…
All I know is that I pay 15% of most of my income in to it, and 7.5% on a portion. An Obama victory will mean I’ll be paying 15% on all my income per Charlie Rangel’s tax bill (HR3970). They are expanding the application of the full 15% to all s-corp income, and that menas a tax increase for me.
I’m also wondering how they will pay for socialized medicine. Will it be another expansion of the application of the SS tax, or an increase in it’s percentage? Either way, it will be another tax hike that is outside the realm of federal income tax rates, so Obama will still claim he’s “cutting income taxes” as actual tax burden skyrockets – just like our electric bills.
Also, BO’s plan to “cut capital gains taxes on small business” is complete hogwash. Most small businesses, including mine, have zero capital gains income, and he knows it. No reporters, or Republicans have ever challenged him on this. Small businesses make earned income which is taxed hard – especially by the SS tax – which he intends to expand.
forest on November 4, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Or hide it.
forest on November 4, 2008 at 9:45 AM
What a tool. If Obama gets elected this country is going to hell in a handbasket. He’ll have Pelosi-Reid and feckless “journalists” like Mathews to thank.
The guy and his ilk should all be fired.
redfoxbluestate on November 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM
We all know the real Obama will surface after 21 January. It’s going to be to late then. Ann Coulter has it right! If Democrats Had Brains They’d Be Republicans!
Eyvonne on November 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM
It makes me proud for my Governor, slow talking, fast thinking, mop the floor with little Chrissy.
d1carter on November 4, 2008 at 10:11 AM
If the O wins….how long will it take for the libs to turn on him.
Heard Obama went to poll this morning and looked at the ballot and then voted PRESENT.
10AC on November 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM
That’s my guv’nah. Haley rocks.
greggriffith on November 4, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Where are you?
Olive Branch here
flyfisher on November 4, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Didn’t mean to leave any fellow Magnolia-staters out.
flyfisher on November 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Don’t count on it Manly. If BHO loses, Matthews will be able to go from tingling to spittling at near Olbermannesque levels over how horrible America is. He still gets to be over the top no matter what! ’sall good.
eeyore on November 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
That’s my governor. We’re lucky.
tizzidale on November 4, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Why the smirk?
Same response as, “Why the long face?”
“I was born that way,” said the horse.
whitetop on November 4, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Senator Government and Joe the Biden won’t win.
So stop the what if game.
Work until the polls close for MacPalin.
On the phone or on the ground. Turn off the TV and leave the blogs alone.
All day the MSM and the rest of the chattering class will do their best to suppress.
We will not let them.
We never surrender.
Communism will neverr prevail.
I am an American and I choose to fight.
triple-p on November 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Tupelo…
d1carter on November 4, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Obama’s illegal aunti got a social security card. I know a family from Cuba, the mother never worked a day in this country, she has a social security card and receives benefits. Social security is just another stealth method of taking income from one segment of society and giving it to another.
President Bush had the right idea, but not one courageous legislator to help him. President Bush is a man who has stood alone in more ways than one. I know he’ll be glad to leave office, I just pray it is the Mac and not the Marxist who takes the oath in January.
Jvette on November 4, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I’d say it’s from the thrill he gets knowing that, by suppressing the truth about Obama’s redistributive plans, he’s helping to get Obama elected.
Infidoll on November 4, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I think tonight the tingle goes down his leg…
right2bright on November 4, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I think tonight the
tingleTINKLE goes down his leg…right2bright on November 4, 2008 at 11:23 AM
FIFY
Jvette on November 4, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I first noticed it several months ago. When I worked HR (retired 2001) we were still calling it FICA. The term ‘payroll tax’ back then included FICA, Medicare and income taxes. I still don’t know whether ‘payroll tax’ is just FICA, or if it’s FICA + Medicare, but at least I was able to figure out it’s not income tax.
Dee2008 on November 4, 2008 at 12:03 PM
What a disgraceful piece of lying garbage.
marklmail on November 4, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Yes Chris, you blithering drooling fool. Add, lots, and lots of welfare, with a little tingle going up your leg…IDIOT!
byteshredder on November 4, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Thats my governor… Good man.
goldeagle11 on November 4, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Babs on November 4, 2008 at 9:30 AM
I don’t know Babs, but they also call it “self-employment tax” and “FICA”. It’s almost like there’s an intentional effort to confuse the situation…
All I know is that I pay 15% of most of my income in to it, and 7.5% on a portion. An Obama victory will mean I’ll be paying 15% on all my income per Charlie Rangel’s tax bill (HR3970). They are expanding the application of the full 15% to all s-corp income, and that menas a tax increase for me.
I’m also wondering how they will pay for socialized medicine. Will it be another expansion of the application of the SS tax, or an increase in it’s percentage? Either way, it will be another tax hike that is outside the realm of federal income tax rates, so Obama will still claim he’s “cutting income taxes” as actual tax burden skyrockets – just like our electric bills.
Also, BO’s plan to “cut capital gains taxes on small business” is complete hogwash. Most small businesses, including mine, have zero capital gains income, and he knows it. No reporters, or Republicans have ever challenged him on this. Small businesses make earned income which is taxed hard – especially by the SS tax – which he intends to expand.
forest on November 4, 2008 at 9:43 AM
One thing you left out, once you start to collect your SS, you will have to pay taxes on it. It was initialy called a “Contribution” when I first paid into it. When I started paying into it you only had to pay in for 50 quarters to be eligible at retirement. That got blown out of the water during the sixties, just after I had my time in. Worst investment I was ever forced to make.
N4646W on November 4, 2008 at 3:17 PM
This is why I love our Gov! Half the time on youtube you get comments from liberals: “This redneck doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” But if they only knew how sharp Haley Barbour is and that he’s one of the most intelligent conservatives in the country. I bet he won’t be on MSNBC anytime in the near future again.
MSReb81 on November 4, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Hattiesburg.
Barbour appears to be the stereotypical Southerner, slow-talking, and presumably not too bright.
Probably led to him being underestimated a lot when he was head of the RNC…
tom on November 4, 2008 at 3:54 PM
I like lists. Barbour, Palin, Romney, Rove, (missing Tony Snow), Jindal, Rice,….. Who am I missing of the most eloquent. Palin may not belong in this group of the most eloquent, but who else does belong?
nick108 on November 4, 2008 at 5:17 PM
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