Joe Biden calls it 'patriotic' for the wealthy to pay more taxes

Democrats have been loudly complaining about John McCain, Sarah Palin and other Republicans routinely misrepresenting Barack Obama's tax plan by asserting the Democrat would raise the levies that Americans hate to pay across the board. In a true shocker, even a Fox News anchor gave a McCain aide flack on the matter earlier this week.

Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, today sought -- in his inimitable way -- to stress that the Democratic platform calls for increasing income taxes only for those making more than $250,000 a year. But in the process, he delivered a line sure to be mocked far and wide by the GOP.

"You got it," he said on ABC's "Good Morning America" when his interviewer noted that Obama was targeting the affluent. "It's time (for the well-off) to be patriotic." (See the clip below.)

Already, the Republican National Committee has sent off an e-mail flagging the quote. And we're betting it shows up quickly as a laugh line in McCain and Palin stump speeches.

[UPDATE: Right on cue, Palin scoffed at Biden's comment as she and McCain stumped late this morning in Iowa. Telling her typically adoring crowd what the Delaware senator had said, she parried that raising taxes isn't about patriotism, it's "about killing jobs and hurting small businesses and making things worse."]

[UPDATE II: McCain, taking the stage after Palin, said of raising taxes in tough times: "It's not a badge of honor. It's just plain dumb."]

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Barbara]

Mr. Biden, The government takes checks, and credit cards. How much e-xtra tax money did you contribute last year or any year?

[Thumb]

GET OUT OF MY POCKETS!

This is my money that i have worked hard for!

SOCIALISM = OBAMA

[Pamela]

It's about time the wealthy were patriotic??? Mr. Biden, The wealthy already pay the majority of the taxes!! How dare you say it's about time!! Socialist ass.

[DAVID SHARMA]

Marx and Lenin also thought taking from the rich was PATRIOTIC.

[cspolj]

Biden and SoetoroObama are morons who deserve each other.

[ziggy turtle]

Middle class Republicans do not care about the facts over misquoting Obama relating to taxes; they do not care about Palen's lack of experience, or authoritarian practices in Alaska, the firings, intimidation, and attempted book bannings. They care only about one thing: having others agree with them in lockstep concerning their fundamentalist ideologies. They ignore the separation of church and state, and they would certainly revise the Constitution in this regard if they could.
They are more concerned that Obama rhymes with Osama, or that his middle name is Hussein. To ideologues, these are "messages" from God.
The rich Republicans use these fundamentalists. The rich Republicans care only about one thing: Staying Rich.
Ideologues are dangerous, be they Islamic, Christian, New Age, or whatever. Grow up people. Use the brain you have, and don't confuse your deities with reality. Fundamentalists are embarrassing. Can I emigrate to Mars or something and get away from these jackleg humans?

[Cross Mooradian]

So if you play by the rules, work hard and pay your taxes, John McCain thinks you're a dummy

[art]

Why the RICH will not complie. "I made I keep it." "You get your's, I got mine." Or , The workers will suffer Because I had to pay more taxes PLUS pay them.
This is so selfish. Give it up Well to do'ers. It is time to Spend what you have been Given so FREELY. Or under handedly? I wounder? Does Mcain get it?

[jb wilson]

Joe Biden is a typical communist who wants to spread the wealth with everybody else's money.. If it were not for big corporations this country would be down the drain.. If a guy gets lucky and get rich he or she should not be penalized for their endeavors. We have enough welfare people on t he roles now and there will be more if there is more money.. The cream rises to the top not the bottom.. The big problem with America is that Black American won't work and they keep feeling that they need to be paid back for slavery,.. Since the 40's the USA has spend trillions and the blacks haven't progressed one bit. Black's in this country have been treated far better thanl any place on the face of the earth..

[JMSP]

Gaffe of the year. Epic fail.

[PJ]

Biden is right. It's time to give to your country and frankly giving some of your vast wealth is the easiest way. The rest of us will serve in your military, police your streets, put out your fires--you just need to open up that huge wallet a bit more.

[Dean]

Go ahead, Biden -- keep talking! You'll be sure to put McCain in the White House if you just keep talking.

Does anybody else think that maybe... just maybe the Republicans pushed so hard on Obama's lack of experience to force Obama to put Biden as his VP, just so they could maybe... just maybe switch the young and women vote to McCain and his VP choice?

Maybe... just maybe?!?

[PJ]

Biden is right. It's time to give to your country and frankly giving some of your vast wealth is the easiest way. The rest of us will serve in your military, police your streets, put out your fires--you just need to open up that huge wallet a bit more.

[Laura]

Wait a minute...Joe Biden was just revealed as the least generous of the U.S. presidential candidates in his giving. McCain is actually the most generous. Biden needs to put his money where his mouth is. WHAT A HYPOCRITE! Apparently, he doesn't give barely ANY MONEY TO CHARITY!!!!!

[Josqueline]

How is raiseing taxes for RICH people hurting the economy??? The republicans are playing it off as the democrats want to raise everyones taxes.

The republicans protect the rich because thats who votes for them. the rich and the conservative

[Deez]

Actually, whats dumb is cutting taxes then fighting two wars. The wealthy have seen their average income double in the last 16 years, while the middle classed has been lucky to keep pace with inflation. It IS patriotic for those who are well off to start paying their way to help a country from who they've benefitted in a way they could never have done ANYWHERE else on the planet.

PONY UP!!

[Anthony]

Yes! Go Biden. The man speaks the truth. It's time for the ultra-rich to put up or shut up. Even Gates and Buffet have said to the Bush cronies -- "You don't tax me enough."

God Bless Obama. God Bless Biden. And God Bless America!

[tizzyfit]

You've got to hand it to Biden! It took way less time than I thought before he put his foot in his mouth - AGAIN! If you follow his "patriotic" logic, all those making $250,000 should just ante up right now. Oh, wait a minute, I guess several hundred did a few nights ago in Hollywood when they gave $30,000 to NOBAMA for dinner and live (I think she's still alive, hard to tell looking at her) music. How PATRIOTIC those left wingnuts are.

[Nick Steele]

Are Mccain and Palin so out of touch with the average man that they believe raising taxes on people making $250k/year will hurt jobs. It might hurt jobs at Rolls Royce, Rolex, and a few yacht companies but not your average blue collar workers job.

I think it is time for trickle up economics; let the rich start paying there share of the taxes and use that money to help create jobs for the middle class who really make a difference in this country.

As a small business owner I believe it is my duty as an American to pay my share of the taxes. I just wished the Republicans believed it was there duty.

[Barbara]

This is called stealing. If our government was run like a corporation they would be bankrupt and fired. No one is entitled to anything except freedom and the pursuit of happiness. It isn't up to me or anyone else to take care of you, that's your job. America is about being rewarded for success not punished. But, the government does take personal checks, money orders, cash and credit cards if you want to give more.

[Michael Busby]

No, Joe! You have it all wrong. It is patriotic to pay your legally obligated taxes. It is fair to pay your fair share, not patriotic.

[L Richards]

Obama-Biden will kill jobs created by small business by taxing them- they are taxed as individuals and by taxing $250,000 limit they have to let go workers or close down business. What a stupid idea to tax $250,000 income.

[Damon]

You know why Biden can get away with saying dumb crap like this? Because the McCain/Palin ticket is lying so damn much that they honestly believe people will believe them.

This is shameful.

Can someone, ANYONE in the McCain campaign tell this idiot that he really needs to stop making himself look like Homer's dad on The Simpsons?

[derek]

interesting train of thought......so if you don't vote for Obama youre racist and if you dont advocate higher taxes on those earning $250k+ you re unpatriotic.

As an aside, whilst $250k may go a long way in Idaho for example, in NYC with a family, it doesnt make you wealthy

[David]

When was the last time we saw Washington's elite stick it to their biggest contributors for campaign finance? Does anyone really think that taxing those that make more than $250K is going to fix trillion dollar deficits. Even if either candidate pulled off some tax reform to hold the "wealthy" more accountable two things would happen. Money would be invested overseas beyond the reach of the IRS. and any loses suffered by these wealthy individuals would be passed on to the average citizen.
The real kicker is that each of these candidates are talking about raising taxes on a large portion of their peers in Congress. How many of them are millionaires and beyond? I have not seen one running for the office of President yet that is not a multi-millionaire. So, when the rich are no longer running things in Washington we might actually see changes that would benefit the average American. Oh, I'm sorry. That situation won't happen until they are turning over the keys to the country because we no longer own it. Foreign countries will after buying up all our debt and calling in the markers. Yes I am somewhat pessimistic after nearly 50 years of watching the same old game. The answer to real reform is term limits for all positions in Washington to clean out the 30-40 year stagnant residents that never have to live with the legislation they pass on the masses. But, that is another issue.

[Tom]

I just dont see how patriotism can be equated with paying taxes. I mean, the republicans already wore that "You're not patriotic if..." line into the dirt. It's about time the extremists took a breather and let the centrists take things a while. I'm sick of that far left and far right crud. Someones gotta make it stop before we end up calling everybody unpatriotic every time we think it's good for a single vote.

Morons, you're bus is leaving!

Forget it, you already threw so many people under it that it is stuck.

[Tina]

You know, in this economic depression, having to count your pennies before signing your kids up for afterschool sports can be a real downer. So if those of the upper strata were compassionate enough about our plight to share some of their egg nest then I have no qualms about thanking them for their patriotism. Especially for those of us struggling to hold down a one bedroom apartment, any generosity on part of say John McCain to sell off some of those 7 houses or Cindy McCain to maybe downgrade to a $500 business suit instead of $30,000 designer gowns would be appreciated.

[Bob Persons]

Isn't it hypocrisy to declare "Country First", but then take the cynical position that paying tax as an act of patriotism is laughable? It apparently seems obvious to those criticizing Biden that the goal should be to maximize their own wealth, and certainly not to preserve a healthy nation.

[DougH]

It's tough times when your net worth has fallen from 30 million to 22 million. This is a disaster. But we will have to raise taxes on someone. Somebody's got to pay. I don't make over 250,000. I make about half that. I would agree to an increase on my taxes as a patriotic American if it was used to balance the budget and get us out of debt.

The price of gas had decreased about 60 cents in the last couple months. Why? It didn't decrease because we are drilling more. It decreased because our monetary policy began to get back in line with reality. The price of gas has been a bigger tax increase on the American people than either party would ever attempt. Flood the market with dollars is the same as increasing taxes because we all pay more for everything we import. Tax increases to the upper bounds of income will bring our governments borrowing back in line and instill more confidence in the dollar thereby lowering prices on everything.

Be a patriot. Country first... Unless you are talking taxes...

[archmac]

I believe Mr. Biden was just paraphrasing the sentiments of Jesus Christ when He said "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required".

My husband and I are moderately wealthy (much more moderately so than we were eight years ago!), and we recognize that we would not be in this position if we did not live in a country that provides us with so many benefits: peace and security at home, regulations that make our air, water and food far less harmful than they might be, a (mostly) high-quality infrastructure, just to name a tiny few privileges of living in America.

We are not so greedy that we feel compelled to hang on to every penny, especially at the price of keeping poorer Americans from having decent access to healthcare, or of not providing assistance to poor folks who are down on their luck (as opposed to welfare for wealthy executives at FNMA, Bear Sterns, etc.!). We have been blessed by this country, and have no problem whatsoever with giving back to her fairly and proportionately. Of course, the other side of this bargain is believing that our tax dollars are being used wisely, and I have certainly not been pleased in the past eight years to see them going to further enrich those who were already uber-rich, while funding for education,healthcare, regulatory agencies, parks...everything worthwhile has been cut.

I have seen comparisons of tax dollars paid vs. returned for individual states...has anyone been able to figure out how much people of different income levels benefit from government spending vs. how much they pay? THAT would be an interesting and, I suspect, eye-opening study. I personally got student loans to go to college, went to a state college, and (almost) got equal pay as a direct result of taxpayer-funded Federal programs. I would be nowhere near as well-off as I am without having been given those benefits.

Meanwhile, I agree wholeheartedly with Joe Biden's statement, and shame on the Republicans for mocking it (dare I call THEM unpatriotic?)

[WKelly]

A flat tax rate taxing all revenue gained from all sources at
17%(no exemptions for municipal bonds, etc.)No taxes on incomes under $55,000.00. Limited deductions(medical, schooling and true donations, interest expenses on one home under $500,000.00. Then I would agree with Biden
but he and his buddy's plan doubles my taxes. Their tax plan may do one thing create a tax payer revolt against
stupid government spending. Otherwise I call his idea stupid..

[MC in Virginia]

Right on Joe.
I paid over $58k in federal tax last year, and damn proud of it. Name me one other country in the world where I have the opportunity, where my family and I can live in safety, and I (as a minority) have rights that keep me from being locked up for no reason. We Americans want the government to spend on the military, feed our food safe, help during disasters and provide a social safety net. And while I too want to see social security and medicare spend brought under control, I don't think more tax cuts are the answer.

[seeingthroughyou]

Interesting that your article should automatically take such a mocking view of Biden's observation.

The fact is, he is absolutely correct. The republicans started a very, very expensive war, and have only asked the middle class and the poor to pay for it. At the same time they started the war, they actually told the very wealthy they needed to pay less -- that as the national debt mounted and mounted, they should feel good about keeping all of their hoardings and giving less and less back to the infrastructure of the country that made it possible for them to be wealthy in the first place. They kept their money, invested it in overseas endeavors, invested it in highly questionable market schemes, and invested it in political maneuverings aimed at shoring up their own power for generations to come.

The result is what we see right now -- collapsing economy, collapsing roads and bridges, reductions in American jobs, and skyrocketing national debt and trade imbalances. It's time for them to step up and be Americans first, and rich folks second. They need to pay the taxes they were paying, at minimum, while the economy soared during the Clinton administration, and before the republican lied their way into a "temporary" reduction in their taxes, that they never at all really intended to be temporary.

[TheHowler]

I think it was Spock from Star Trek that said it best:

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

By that philosophy (with which I agree wholeheartedly) it is obvious that a person who has more is morally and socially obligated to give more. So, yes, it IS patriotic for people who have more than enough for themselves and their children (and their children's children and probably everyone in their hometown) to share some of their wealth with those who have not been so fortunate.

Is it better to raise taxes for all of the middle-class to fund programs for the lower-class? Perhaps some people think so, which is way the divide between upper-class and middle- to lower-class is growing so rapidly, and the middle-class is shrinking and the lower-class is growing, while the upper-class doesn't grow but continues to get richer and richer and richer...

Between corporate executives and our own government, people are so greedy that the rest of us, the MAJORITY of us, are suffering greatly while the well-off minority lie in the lap of luxury. But I guess in a corporate capitalistic society such as ours, that would be considered patriotic since raising taxes for those people that have WAY MORE THAN THEY OR THEIR CHILDREN WOULD EVER NEED is such a horrible idea.

[Sandra S]

I wouldn't exactly call Republicans patriotic. They don't want to put anything into America, but they are happy to suck everything out! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The only people to benefit by McCain continuing the Bush policies of the last eight years, ie., reduced taxes on the wealthy, are the wealthy. The BS about the jobs, economy we've heard before and look where it got us. Obama 2008

[I.McCarthy]

" And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. "

~John F. Kennedy - January 20th 1961

[Diana]

This is just another example of the Democrat's discrimination. The rich and the poor use the same police services, fire department services and public school services, and they will receive the same benefits from social security and medicare even though the more wealthy actually pay much more. How is it fair to raise taxes on those who make more money when they receive the same serivices as every other American???
To me it is unconstitutional to discriminate, and these classist Democrats that want to promote the division between classes are doing just that.
It is not wrong to be wealthy and to earn money and be prosperous. What IS WRONG is for the politicians to think that they can put a tax on properity, that they have any right to turn this country into a welfare communist state. The Constitution does not give them the right to redistribute wealth and to tax unequally just because they want to.
These Democrat's program are starting to look more like socialist doctrines. The rich, the poor, and the middle class of this nation are ALL AMERICANS, and they ALL have the SAME rights under the Constitution, so they should be taxed with the same percentage.

[Steve P]

Mock all you want about raising taxes.... republicans don't tax, they borrow... and borrow... who's being irresponsible?

There are basic services to be provided... roads, drinking water, schools. How do you intend to pay for them without taxes? Seriously, no one likes paying taxes, but we all like and use those basic necessities that those taxes provide. Healthcare should be on that list but I'm sure some blowhard will start telling me about how they don't want to pay for someone else's healthcare problems. To those I would suggest locking yourself away in a big metal box that you have paid for and rests on land that you have bought and paid for so you can rub yourself with all of that money you saved not helping a fellow human being... just remember to pay your premiums in case you fall ill.

[Barbyrah]

Hmm. Me thinks there's a pretty big difference between a broad, sweeping 'He'll raise taxes" line - a well-worn mantra being used to try and scare middle class folk - and saying, "Hey, if you make more than a quarter of a milliion dollars per year, don't ya think it's the good, right 'patriotic' thing to do to pony up a little more of your share?"
Notice, neither McCain nor Palin ever mention what group of people are gonna be taxed more under the Obama/Biden plan. Never. So of course, that old, old, OLD line has gotten its desired effect.
Until now. I sense citizens aren't being reeled in nearly as much as they used to anymore. And are beginning to "get" the shell game being played.
P.S. If McCain and Palin think taxes are such a horrible thing, how would they suggest we pay for the military? For police? Firefighters? Libraries? Public schools? Parks? Roads and bridges? Public transit? THEIR SALARIES? The list could go on...
P.P.S. How is helping to pay for these things...NOT patriotic?

[Frank]

This guy Biden is dangerous to anyone who broke their butts to get ahead in life. People who went to night school to advance themselves out of mediocre paying jobs when others were hanging out in bars or going home and watching TV. People who would work 50 and 60 hours a week to make deadlines so they could get promoted. People who spend much of their career traveling and away from their families so they could attain a better life with their spouses for their children. And how about the small business owners who work 7 days a week to keep their business succesful? This is the vast majority of the RICH folks he speaks of. 86% of the taxes in this country are paid by the top 25% of wage earners. That's right. 25% pay 86% of the taxes. But Joe Biden wants more. Why? So he can buy more votes!
Patriotic? It's criminal for our government officials to run a deficit. It is borderline TREASON for our politicians to constantlly borrow from foreign governments to fund our hunger to spend. We need a constitutional balanced budget amendment more than ever. But you don't hear anyone talking about that. Hey Biden, GET A GRIP! CUT SPENDING!!!!! I'm tired of paying for the multitute of programs you create so you can buy votes!!!!

[Bobby]

IT IS patriotic for those making large sums of money to pitch in during this time of need for so many Americans.

McCain doesn't get it. People are losing their homes and their jobs while the heads of these failed massive companies leave with golden parachutes ensuring them a nice life on their yachts.

McCain can't get it because Carly Fiorina runs his campaign. She drove HP to the ground (24,600 fired this week) and walked away with at $42 Million package.

[BlueDotRedSea]

Republicans, your slogan is "country first." It should be amended to "... but don't make me have to do anything for the government." All you rich a#$holes do is bitch about your taxes, and then send poor people off to war to "nuke their ass and take the gas" so you can put $1 gas in your massive vehicles. Do you know what happens to massive federal deficits when you cut taxes and eliminate large portions of government revenue? You all whine about the economy, but expect the government to fix your problems without asking anything from you in return. Here's a hint: we are in a financial crisis. We are not going to get out of this financial crisis unless people are willing to tighten their belts, work harder, suck it up, and help each other. Republicans, stop voting with your pocketbooks. There are more important things.

[Andrew]

Joe Biden is an idiot. There's absolutely nothing patriotic about paying higher taxes. You cannot purchase patriotism by paying higher taxes. Biden's statement is an afront to any and every American who has the brains (or luck) to be financially successful. Biden is suggesting that the wealthy should be penalized because they are wealthy. This is socialism. To continue to impose sanctions on anyone who wants to make money in this country will stifle economic growth and creativity. Our citizens are already lazy and America can't compete with the rest of world as it is. America needs to encourage competition even between its own citizens. This attitude is what made America a world power. This attitute is what's currently making China a world power. No one crawls out of the ghetto unless they want to. You have to be hungry for success. Obama and Biden want nothing more than a lazy America that keeps them elected.

[MonkeySee]

We all have lived off of our predecssors' tax investments in: airports, interstates, fuel exploration, common defense, etc. And we should feel it's our patriotic duty - our membership fee as an American - to invest in our common infrastructure and interests. It's called shared sacrifice, which the Republicans seem to have forgotten when they spearheaded a pre-emptive and incredibly costly war while simultaneously cutting taxes. And WE who reap greater benefits from America should pay more to keep the system we're profiting from strong and healthy. That's called shared- (and self-) interest.

[Chris]

By the government's own estimate, 70 percent of US corporations paid NO TAXES last year. Over the last 30 years the tax burden has been shifted from corporations to the working and middle classes in this country. The wealthy simply find loopholes to avoid paying or stash their money overseas. There is an attitude of enttitlement that all Americans have developed over time, but which originated with the wealthy and has trickled down to those who see themselves being unfairly burdened. I would rather hear Biden speak of how we all need to participate as we are all in this society together; and how no business succeeds without a dedicated workforce. This is something Americans used to understand, but which has been subverted thanks to the selfish "conservative" ethos that has bled the country dry beginning in large measure with the Reagan administration.

[BlueDotRedSea]

I don't agree with Marx's economics, but I believe in his characterization of capitalism. What we have here are the owners of the means of industry goading the working class into voting them back into power by convincing them that they are going to Hell if they vote for the opponent. Religion is truy the opiate of the masses. The republican base is stirred by perceived threats to their religious beliefs (i.e., Roe v. Wade and the addition of Palin), and are suckered into voting for the captains of industry, who could care less about "values." My prime example is Cheney, who I am convinced has no soul.

Don't be fooled this time. Obviously the captains of industry have been off the leash for 7 1/2 years, and Americans are losing their homes. Now we give the companies handouts because that makes "all of us benefit." And hey, what is it called when the government takes over and nationalizes the market? I believe it's communism.

[Robert]

I think Biden has something with the whole patriotic theme. I've even got an idea of what the new slogan of the Obama Campaign should be:

"WE WANT YOU...'re money!"

They could put it below an image of Uncle Sam, reminding people to be patriotic and give more to the government.

I'm okay with Biden's call to patriotism as long as he doesn't want me to be patriotic.

[Diana]

The consequences of Bidden's proposal can already be seen in what happened to South Africa.

If we put burdens on the wealthier Americans and hinder their rights and they decide to leave our country, the jobs will leave as well, and OUR taxes will be increased.

DO some math Mr Biden:

Bill Gates pays 20 billion dollars in taxes each year. If he moves out of the US because of your legislation, what happens to middle and poor America.

Well, we have to pay more taxes anyways because we have to pay idiots like you Mr. Bidden for being in office and we have to fund more useles government programs that instead of diminishing through their own existance the need for help, they actually keep growing and growing in budget and continue leeching of the pockets of those who don't use them or need them.

[Russell4America]

Shouldn't those who make more, put more in the pot? Doesn't that seem fair to y'all? Does to me. And with the country in such hard times, shouldn't those who have benefitted the most from this country during the good times, chip in now to help the country? Isn't that chipping in, dare I say it, patriotic, because they are putting their country first? Why is it that to the republicans, it's better to kill the middle class, than to put a dent in the upper class, and by the way, any additional taxes paid by the upper class would indeed be only a dent in their huge financial portfolios, while a tax increase for the middle class (which McCain/Palin would impose), would indeed kill the middle class dead. So, should we support a dent in the upper class, or should be support killing the middle class altogether? Think about it. Then vote. I'll be voting for Obama, because I think he intends to take care of the entire country, while McCain only intends to take care of his fat cat friends. Truly put country first, and vote for Obama.

[MonkeySee]

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS

Here's how the average tax bill could change in 2009 if either John McCain's or Barack Obama's tax proposals were fully in place.

Source:The Tax Policy Center
Income
Over $2.9M
MCCAIN -$269,364
OBAMA +$701,885

$603K and up
MCCAIN -$45,361
OBAMA +$115,974

$227K-$603K
MCCAIN -$7,871
OBAMA +$12

$161K-$227K
MCCAIN -$4,380
OBAMA -$2,789

$112K-$161K
MCCAIN -$2,614
OBAMA -$2,204

$66K-$112K
MCCAIN -$1,009
OBAMA -$1,290

$38K-$66K
MCCAIN -$319
OBAMA -$1,042

$19K-$38K
MCCAIN -$113
OBAMA-$892

Under $19K
MCCAIN -$19
OBAMA-$567