Huckabee: Palin’s getting more media buzz than me because she’s attractive

Sapwolf,

In the 2008 race, many people seemed to forget that the majority of Arkansas’ tax increases were for court-mandated school expenditures or for improvements of roads in Arkansas as approved by vote of its citizens. If I were of the purist mindset–zero tax increases–I might possibly call him “a tax and spend liberal,” as many have suggested. However, examining the evidence has led me to a very different conclusion.

Opponents of Mike Huckabee often fail to point out that he cut taxes over ninety times during his ten years as governor of Arkansas to counteract these mandated tax increases.* They fail, also, to point out that fiscal conservatives are concerned not only with keeping taxes low, but also with balancing the budget. Amazingly, in Arkansas, with a heavily Democrat legislature–in fact the most lop-sided in the country–Huckabee somehow was able to pass these tax cuts to keep his state’s budget balanced.**

For additional proof, look at what occurred during the tenure of Huckabee’s governorship. According to http://www.taxfoundation.org we find that from the year before he took office to the last year he served (1996-2008), Arkansas’ tax burden went from 10.1% to 11.1%. That was an increase of only 1.0%. Compare that minimal 10 ½ year increase to what the national average was during that time, and I’d guess Huckabee did better than most.***

Now if you are going to spend money on something, one would hope to see a good return. As a consequence of spending tax dollars for education–as well as passing laws for better standards–quality of education significantly increased under Gov. Huckabee. Additionally, state funds allocated wisely put more qualified workers in the work force, and improved roads brought new commerce to the state. This valid use of taxpayer’s money actually increased revenues while keeping tax rates from going up.

And on top of that, Huckabee was able to turn his state more Republican. Remember during the Clinton years, Arkansas voted Democrat? Well now, thanks to the governorship of Huckabee, it is one of the few states trending more Republican. That’s something I think we can agree is a good thing. Now, I realize it’s legitimate to argue whether Huckabee can accomplish a repeat of fiscal success on a national scale. So far, it seems he has done a good job of convincing the American people. According to almost every recent poll, he is positioned very well for a Presidential run at 2012.
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* As Arkansas Governor, Huckabee cut taxes ninety-four times, including the first broad-based cuts in the history of Arkansas. Included were eliminating the marriage penalty, bracket creep caused by inflation, income tax on poor families, and capital gains on home sales. He increased standard deductions for everyone and doubled the child-care tax credits. These changes helped put money in the pockets of Arkansans. He also encouraged investments by cutting capital gains for both individuals and businesses. He encouraged businesses by providing tax credits for employee training and education.
Governor Huckabee left office in January, 2008 with a surplus of almost $850 billion, setting the stage for even more tax cuts for his state.
Source: Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee, pg. 14. Penguin Books: New York, 2008.

** Huckabee as a Republican Governor inherited a legislature in which:
- Eighty-nine of one hundred members of the Arkansas House were Democrat.
- Thirty-one of thirty-five members of the State Senate were Democrats.
- Eighty-nine percent of all legislative members were from the opposing party.
Source: From Hope to Higher Ground, by Mike Huckabee, pg. 102. Hachette Book Group USA: New York, 2008.

*** Political rival for President, Governor Mitt Romney, oversaw the raising of Massachusetts’ taxes by 5% in just one term… “In fact, he raised ‘fees’ by about $700 million.”
Source: Do the Right Thing, by Mike Huckabee, pg. 14. Penguin Books: New York, 2008.

VFT on November 9, 2009 at 11:26 PM