The Nation's Katrina Vanden Huevel: Where is Hillary on Closing Tax Loopholes for Mega-Billionaires?

[flpoljunkie]

WHERE’S HILLARY ON CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES FOR MEGA-BILLIONAIRES?...

Yesterday I posted on the good and quick responses of Barack Obama and John Edwards to Harry Reid's bad decision not to take on the obscenely inequitable tax loophole that allows private equity mega-billionaires to be taxed at 15 percent--less than most working Americans.

But where's Hillary on this?

As of today, there is still nothing on her website. There is, however, a photo smack-dab in the middle of her homepage of her shiny blue bus: "Middle Class Express: Rebuilding the Road to the Middle Class."

And which road would that be? Because with billions in revenues denied by ludicrous loopholes like this one, we certainly won't have the infrastructure money to pay for it.

Posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel at 10/10/2007 @ 09:14am

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=241424

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. I'll say it again; since when does a vanden Heuvel speak for the

working class?

[MikeNearMcChord]

2. Attacking the messenger, not the message

At least Vanden Heuvel is talking about it. You have no defense so attack the messenger.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. Who needs a defense against folly? vanden Heuvel lives in NY and

has said nothing while HRC was her Senator. I was campaigning to get my candidate in this strategic post almost a decade ago ... vanden Heuvel was a jackass when I met her in her office. But she'd be just as rude to you, so I don't take it personally.

[flpoljunkie]

3. As editor of The Nation, Katrina vanden Heuvel is a very effective spokeswoman for working folks--

particularly on the tube.

[Fredda Weinberg]

7. Ah, you like her pretty face ... shame she's not an effective spokesperson

But I don't blame her ... I've met her and she honestly doesn't know what we "little people" look like. I'm proud to have avoided further social contact with her class.

[flpoljunkie]

13. That's your opinion, Fredda, and everybody has one.

[babylonsister]

16. I agree, I think she has OUR best interests at heart and she proves

it when she writes or speaks. I could care less if someone who met her didn't like her. Her personality isn't the issue.

[Fredda Weinberg]

17. I question whether Katrina KNOWS our interests

and raising this issue at this time demonstrates something ... but let me not question her motives, just her qualification to speak for MY economic class. Having met her, I know she doesn't get it - and calling for our leading candidate to take a divisive position at this point in the campaign ain't righteous.

[Armstead]

19. Divisive position?

IMHO politics is about contrasting positions.

In this instance, what is divisive is the basic fairness of the tax structure, and how it relates to the needs of the nation. The division is between the interests of the uber rich and everyone else.

Any Democrat should be firmly and clearly on the side of "everyone else" in this. Strategies that blur such distinctions are what has gotten us into this mess in the first place.

[Fredda Weinberg]

21. You answered your own question

Please don't dictate to all Democrats what our position should be toward those who happen to be unfortunate enough to receive unearned income. This is not pre-revolutionary France and the last time I checked, the Democratic party was not founded on a prescription for electoral failure.

There will be a time and place to re-adjust the tax code - and addressing the alternative minimum tax will be a good opportunity to raise budget offsets. But first, let's see if we can get a fillibuster proof majority in the Senate, eh?

[Armstead]

22. I don;t recall saying we need a French Revolution

And I also am not prescribing electoral failure. On the contrary, IMO actually standing up for liberal/progressive positions with clarity is the formula for revitalizing the Democratic Party -- both in terms of elections and governing.

An overabundance of caution is not what voters are really looking for in their heart of hearts at this point in history.

[Fredda Weinberg]

25. HRC is walking the fine line well ... why heckle from *our* side?

Sorry, but this is the wrong time. I claim it's the wrong messenger as well, but I've met the author.

[dionysus]

27. what's the "fine line"? trying to appear to back the middle class

while still letting the upper 1% get away with gaming the tax system?

[Fredda Weinberg]

32. The fine line toward getting elected. n/t

[Armstead]

28. It's never the "right time" it seems

There's always an excuse not to actually be Democrats. Either it's because we're up or because we're down or on the cusp of a possible victory or a possible defeat.

At some point, the excuses for the same old, same old, have to be replaced by an actual attempt to do something. It's been put off for at least 15 years now.

[Fredda Weinberg]

29. Have you forgotten how Bill raised taxes after he was elected?

You think he advertised this in advance? Please ... let's run an adult campaign, which includes a measure of discretion.

[dionysus]

33. an "adult" campaign? excuse me?

oh yes, how damned childlike we must be to dare expect that the democrats we elect will actually act like democrats. Those rich people whom you sound like you'd like to sniff their throne, they are not our base. Not only that, the whole bunch of them couldn't fill a small football stadium. they. are. not. our. base.

[Fredda Weinberg]

37. HRC is focused on the general election ... which must appeal beyond our base

Yes, an "I want it all now" attitude is puerile.

[Armstead]

35. Adult? Why is taking a clear position immature?

[Fredda Weinberg]

36. Delaying gratification is a measure of maturity

We agree on the goals ... I'm advising patience.

[Armstead]

38. I've been patient since the late 1970;s when Carter started the push to the right...

At some point the Democrats have to return to their liberal roots, or they risk becoming the party of permanent eunichs.

[dionysus]

44. that "tack to the right" strategy we only pulled off sucessfully

with one president, and it wasn't that that won it it for us, it was Bill's charisma.

Not only is it a flawed strategy, it isn't good for the people of the nation.

Peace.

[Fredda Weinberg]

51. I'm glad we can disagree agreeably

But Bill's charisma is being put to good use ... again. Thing is, from my perspective, I've seen HRC's fingerprints all along - behind every great man, you know - and we could use a better replay.

[dionysus]

52. well, we can agree to disagree then.i have no reason

to cast asparagus at you.

[MGKrebs]

75. Recognizing that not everyone agrees with you (us) seems mature.

[lyonn]

50. Bill Clinton did explain how he would have to raise taxes

prior to being elected. Our economy was dreadful and he explained that a tax increase was necessary to get us out of the massive debt the repubs had put on the public.

Hillary has a problem explaining herself when it comes to critical issues like the war, taxes, heath care, etc.. She Eventually speaks out about the issue after the other candidates have addressed them. She ain't no trailblazer, cautious maybe. Right now Americans are flinchy when it comes to what an politician says.

[dionysus]

23. wow,

what a jumble of nonsense right there.

you know, taking the side of billionaire tax cheats to defend hillary?

insanity.

[Fredda Weinberg]

24. Insanity? Nope, it's life. Get used to it

First of all, we're discussing legal tax codes - not cheats. So you start out antagonizing a considerable population in the city where I happen to be.

But I'm questioning whether this is the time for someone who claims to support progressive causes to be calling out the Democratic front runner on an issue with no political advantage.

[dionysus]

26. typical "live with it" DLC pap...

guess what sparky. rich people are in the *minority*. and having wealthy people pay there fair share is a disadvantage... to who? rich people? You forget us normal folks vastly outnumber those with wealth. you think the dem base is going to abandon a candidate who raises taxes on the wealthy? do you? do you really?

[Fredda Weinberg]

30. HRC will capture more than the Dem base, which will be a mandate

And then, yes, the rate should - and I predict will - be increased as part of a solution to the AMT.

[rinsd]

40. Too bad she missed this

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2396

[lyonn]

53. She addressed this in July, 07

How did many of us miss her statement on her site?? Chalk one up for Hillary.

[rinsd]

58. I found a DU post on it by William769 done at the time

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3375114

Unfortunately alot positive Clinton stories positive candidate stories sink like a stone in GDP

[lyonn]

73. Possible reason for this going un-notice is early July, holidays,

4th of July weekend, Congress on vacation, etc.

Couple of paragraphs from article;

Friday, July 13
Reuters


"Two other Democratic presidential hopefuls -- John Edwards, a former senator, and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama -- have also expressed support for raising the "carried interest" tax.

"We're glad to see Senator Clinton has joined us. We hope the other candidates will join in our efforts to ensure hedge fund and private equity managers making hundreds of millions a year no longer pay taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries," said Edwards spokesman Eric Schultz."

-snip-

"Clinton, like many politicians from both parties, has received campaign contributions in the past three years from some of private equity's top managers.

Some of her supporters include leaders of firms such as Bain Capital, Clayton Dubilier & Rice, Silver Lake Partners and Warburg Pincus, according to campaign finance records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics."


Since Hillary is our front runner this is good news. As usual tho, she is not the front runner in stating her policies. That is what many of us object to, hesitation.

[Hieronymus]

72. You're not interested in where Hillary stands on that? Shame.

[wyldwolf]

4. The Nation is not representative of the Democratic Party nor does it speak for it

[flpoljunkie]

5. Certainly not the representative of the Clinton/DLC wing of the Democratic party!

[wyldwolf]

12. certainly not representative of the Democratic party, period.

[dionysus]

34. neither is the DLC, so what's your point?

[wyldwolf]

47. but they're Democrats, the Nation is not.

[dionysus]

48. got any proof the reporters for the nation aren't dems?

http://www.newsmeat.com/media_political_donations/Katrina_vanden_Heuvel.php

[dionysus]

77. *crickets*

[Pyrzqxgl]

54. No it isn't and thats too damn bad. It's a great magazine.

[rinsd]

42. Katrina failed to mention Clinton's past support on this.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2396

[lyonn]

55. Maybe, but she is one of the strongest voices for our cause

She gets major media time compared to other liberals. She stands up to the dim-witted repubs that end up opposite her in a political debate. Let's not now trash her for a Possible oversight.

[wyldwolf]

56. even though she is a liar?

[lyonn]

60. So now Katrina is a liar??? What is your problem?

Have you not seen her go toe to toe with repubs?

If she said something that didn't fit what my candidate, Biden, might have said nor not said that would not be a reason for me to lose respect for what she stands for. I may question and wonder why but would not think it was worth a rant.

How did the Democratic party become a party of Perfectionist?

[wyldwolf]

67. yep.

How did the Democratic party become a party of Perfectionist?

They haven't. But people like Katrina want it to be the party of the perfect.

[Zandor]

8. Read up, Katrina

You really don't know her position? Or you're jumping on the anti-Hillary hysteria?

[DrFunkenstein]

9. It'd Be Nice If You Provided a Link

Since Clinton's position is so obvious.

[Zandor]

11. The point is, Katrina doesn't know

but she's jumping Hillary just because it isn't under her nose when she goes to the site.

Hillary is deliberate in many things.

[kenfrequed]

59. yeah sure

deliberately vauge to be sure.

[babylonsister]

14. I don't know what it is. Can you enlighten us with a link, or are you

just jumping on the pro-Hillary hysteria?

[rinsd]

41. Here's a link to her calling for the tax hike in July

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2396

[kenfrequed]

61. uhm

That link is about mildly reforming capital gains taxes, and she seems to be wavering a bit at that. I see nothing about the great estate tax giveaway and she seems to be making more than a nod and wink to some capital investors who will no doubt be looking for the new loopholes in whatever she has planned.

[rinsd]

74. Feel free to peruse her website.

A single press release on a specific item won't be of much assistance.

[ProudDad]

63. Good for her if she follows though

"Hillary's economic vision focuses on shared prosperity in the face of rising economic inequality in our country. A key element of her economic agenda is tax fairness that rewards work, not just wealth."

I'd change that though. I'd reward work and tax "wealth"...

[Bitwit1234]

10. Gee even tho someone on the DU was making fun of Hillary

about reading the constitution, what the hell do they want her to do. Maybe she should write a book and give every single tiny thing she plans to do. But then that wouldn't satisfy the bashers. They want their candidate to get in, and we all know who it is so the bash and they bash. Change no ones mind and make their candidate (although he is not) seem pathetic.

[babylonsister]

15. Thanks for this. I'd read about Reid's boneheadedness yesterday.

I'm glad Obama and Edwards responded so quickly.

[AtomicKitten]

18. wink-wink, nudge-nudge

And now we're beginning to see why the GOP seems fine with Hillary winning the nomination.

K&R

[rasputin1952]

20. Katrina is one of the most intelligent and savvy people out

there.

She has accomplished much in bringing attention to what this administration is doing, and has taken on issues that others fear.

FWIW....Katrina vanden Heuvel puts info out there...it is our responsibility as citizens to act on it. Far to often there is a hew-and-cry from message boards to bars about how "rough things are"; but I can tell you right now, if people don't get off their butts and start working for change, you're selling out the nation, the Constitution and everything else we belive in. One need not act on every issue, but working on some, the ones you feel are most important, sure beats the heck out of sitting and complaining on a message board.

OK...that's it for my :rant:

[rinsd]

43. She is but she got this one wrong.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2396

[ProudDad]

64. ...

'"Don't get me wrong," Clinton continued, "private equity and venture capital play important roles in our economy, and we should continue to support the entrepreneurial spirit that makes America great.'

Rampant corporate capitalism anyone?

[redqueen]

31. EDITED

:wtf:

It seems this IS addressed on Hillary's site.

*sigh*



I just about don't even care who the nominee is, anymore. Just not a repuke. And no I'm NOT calling Hillary a repuke.

:banghead:

[rinsd]

39. I expect the MSM to be lazy but the Nation? Jesus Christ use google Katirna

http://www.google.com/search?q=hillary+private+equity+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1339356720070714

[goodgd_yall]

45. Isn't it frustrating when it looks like no one is paying attention to your post?

I saw your OP. Thanks for clearing this one up.

[redqueen]

46. Seconded. n/t

[DURHAM D]

49. Thirded. Is that a word? n/t

[Cameron27]

57. Fourthed

(and I don't care if it's a word or not lol)

[flpoljunkie]

62. Check your date there, rinsd--July 13th. Hillary's been notably silent since Reid caved yesterday.

[desi]

65. What difference does the date make?

"Hillary Clinton Proposes Ending Unfair Tax Breaks for Wall Street Investment Managers"

Katrina's claim is false.

[SaveElmer]

69. You see it is not only important that Hillary have a position...

And not only important that she have the correct position...but that she take that position precisely when "progressives" want her to take it...

If she comes out too early like on this issue, it doesn't count you see...

[desi]

71. Yeah I've noticed..

and I've tried to stay away from the bashfests but it's not fair to just let a few of you (and a hell of a job you're doing) carry the entire load. Guess this makes me a "DLC'er/Hillbot"...so be it. This BS is detrimental to the party as a whole.

[wyldwolf]

66. So?

Are you and Katrina upset Hillary isn't saying, "see? I was against this three months ago!"

:shrug:

[rinsd]

68. The blog implies Hillary is silent on this issue.

She obviously is not.

[desi]

70. Too late to edit the OP...

so grasping at straws the next viable option. Looks like you ran "them" all off... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[lyonn]

76. flpoljunkie, after going to Katrina's site and reading

her post yesterday and today finally realized that she was referring to Reid's statement yesterday about how the Senate didn't have time to debate this tax issue. Katrina heard responses from two other Senator's running for pres. but not Hillary. This whole post got wormy somewhere along the way.

[flpoljunkie]

78. Some folks don't read too closely before they mouth off and attack the messenger when they don't

like the message. I am not putting you in that group. I highly recommend the ignore feature for the others.

[lyonn]

79. Actually I was guilty of skimming, not reading

before chattering, ha. But Katrina has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Still is. She carries the water most of the time for our party, gets into it with the repubs. She is always fun to watch.

I am a bit weary of the Hillary issue. It is easy to get caught up in the momentum, sadly.