Kerry critical of Bush economic "trickle" policies
By Bret Hayworth, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Citing the "extreme" Bush administration as ripe for ouster, Democratic Party presidential candidate John Kerry said the recent tax cuts need to be scaled back for so many more things that America needs.
The Massachusetts senator said the tax cuts only help "the wealthiest Americans," while endeavors in education, health care and transportation are left wanting.
Kerry said President Bush should know better than to put forth the tired platform of "trickle down economics," with the theory that tax cuts to the richest will make their way down to the working class. In a dig that drew cheers from the crowd at the Elks Lodge No. 112 at 1001 Tri-View Ave. in Sioux City, Kerry opined that "everybody I meet is kind of tired about being trickled on by George W. Bush."
Kerry said with 3 million jobs lost since Bush took office in January 2001, the worst growth rate since World War II and with the administration turning a federal budget surplus into record deficits now estimated at $475 billion, Bush has "the worst economic record since Herbert Hoover was the president." Said Kerry, "The only thing that George W. Bush has created is the nine of us running for president... It ought to be clear that the person who needs to be laid off is George W. Bush."
Kerry said no true conservative Republican would back the fiscal irresponsibility of such deficits. Kerry said as president he would repeal the tax cut to those with incomes over $200,000. Take it from Omaha's Warren Buffet, the second-richest American, Kerry said. Buffet said that instead of the $310 million tax savings he would see -- and not spend -- the economy would be better served by giving savings of $1,000 each to 310,000 families.
The new standard for size of crowd and enthusiasm in a Sioux City 2004 public campaign stop belongs to Kerry. Since the first stumping in mid-March by Rep. Dick Gephardt, Kerry holds the high-water mark for Democrats following Monday evening's festive gathering of 210 Siouxlanders at the Elks Lodge. Lots of the attendees wanted pictures with the senator.
The campaign stop was hosted by Roger Wendt, one year removed from a multi-decade education career in Sioux City and in his first year as a state representative from District 2 in Sioux City. Wendt has thrown his support behind Kerry and urged the crowd to turn out for him during the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 19, 2004.
One aspect of the tough economy, Kerry said, is that states don't have enough money and are "cutting teachers all over this country." Kerry said he would put teeth into education legislation. He cited Bush for his weak backing of education through the "No Child Left Behind" education bill that was adopted in 2001. Kerry said most U.S. teachers persevere in spite of insufficient resources.
Kerry said he would put more money into education in order to reduce class sizes, saying the teacher-to-pupil ratio has been going up in recent years. In response to a question from Sioux City School Board member Nancy Mounts, Kerry said he would more fully fund special education than is being down now.
Commenting on what he saw as the "extreme" nature of Bush administration initiatives, Kerry said the "priorities are not in touch" with common Americans.
Kerry said the administration has turned "to the lowest common denominator of politics, to the driving of wedges between different groups and constituencies, rather than asking our fellow Americans to join together in a common effort to take this country of ours to a better place, to complete the journey begun by our Founding Fathers."
Bret Hayworth may be reached at (712)293-4203 or brethayworth@siouxcityjournal.com.
The Massachusetts senator said the tax cuts only help "the wealthiest Americans," while endeavors in education, health care and transportation are left wanting.
Kerry said President Bush should know better than to put forth the tired platform of "trickle down economics," with the theory that tax cuts to the richest will make their way down to the working class. In a dig that drew cheers from the crowd at the Elks Lodge No. 112 at 1001 Tri-View Ave. in Sioux City, Kerry opined that "everybody I meet is kind of tired about being trickled on by George W. Bush."
Kerry said with 3 million jobs lost since Bush took office in January 2001, the worst growth rate since World War II and with the administration turning a federal budget surplus into record deficits now estimated at $475 billion, Bush has "the worst economic record since Herbert Hoover was the president." Said Kerry, "The only thing that George W. Bush has created is the nine of us running for president... It ought to be clear that the person who needs to be laid off is George W. Bush."
Kerry said no true conservative Republican would back the fiscal irresponsibility of such deficits. Kerry said as president he would repeal the tax cut to those with incomes over $200,000. Take it from Omaha's Warren Buffet, the second-richest American, Kerry said. Buffet said that instead of the $310 million tax savings he would see -- and not spend -- the economy would be better served by giving savings of $1,000 each to 310,000 families.
The new standard for size of crowd and enthusiasm in a Sioux City 2004 public campaign stop belongs to Kerry. Since the first stumping in mid-March by Rep. Dick Gephardt, Kerry holds the high-water mark for Democrats following Monday evening's festive gathering of 210 Siouxlanders at the Elks Lodge. Lots of the attendees wanted pictures with the senator.
The campaign stop was hosted by Roger Wendt, one year removed from a multi-decade education career in Sioux City and in his first year as a state representative from District 2 in Sioux City. Wendt has thrown his support behind Kerry and urged the crowd to turn out for him during the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 19, 2004.
One aspect of the tough economy, Kerry said, is that states don't have enough money and are "cutting teachers all over this country." Kerry said he would put teeth into education legislation. He cited Bush for his weak backing of education through the "No Child Left Behind" education bill that was adopted in 2001. Kerry said most U.S. teachers persevere in spite of insufficient resources.
Kerry said he would put more money into education in order to reduce class sizes, saying the teacher-to-pupil ratio has been going up in recent years. In response to a question from Sioux City School Board member Nancy Mounts, Kerry said he would more fully fund special education than is being down now.
Commenting on what he saw as the "extreme" nature of Bush administration initiatives, Kerry said the "priorities are not in touch" with common Americans.
Kerry said the administration has turned "to the lowest common denominator of politics, to the driving of wedges between different groups and constituencies, rather than asking our fellow Americans to join together in a common effort to take this country of ours to a better place, to complete the journey begun by our Founding Fathers."
Bret Hayworth may be reached at (712)293-4203 or brethayworth@siouxcityjournal.com.
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