Obama Makes Super False Tax Claim: 'I Didn't Raise Taxes Once'

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Feb 07, 2011, 02:28 ET

In pre-Super Bowl interview, President Obama fumbles his record on taxes

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Americans for Tax Reform issued the following:

On Sunday, in a live, nationally televised interview just prior to the Super Bowl, President Obama made the following claim:

"I didn't raise taxes once. I lowered taxes over the last two years. I lowered taxes for the last two years."

Let's break down the statement, starting with Obama's "I didn't raise taxes once" claim. This assertion is blatantly false, as President Obama has signed into law at least two dozen tax increases:

Feb. 4, 2009 – Obama signs federal tobacco tax hike: Just sixteen days into his presidency, Obama signed into law a 156 percent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco – a hike of 62 cents per pack. Obama's signature on this tax hike was a violation of his central campaign promise – a "firm pledge" that no American making less than $250,000 would see "any form of tax increase." The median income of smokers is just over $36,000.

March 23, 2010 – Obama signs the healthcare bill into law: Obama's signature on the healthcare bill enacted two dozen new or higher taxes (at least seven of which violate his "firm pledge" on taxes), including but not limited to:

Individual Mandate Excise Tax
Employer Mandate Excise Tax
Small business 1099-MISC Information Reporting
Surtax on Investment Income
Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans
Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax
Medicine Cabinet Tax
HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike
Flexible Spending Account Cap – aka "Special Needs Kids Tax"
Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers
"Haircut" for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI
Tax on Indoor Tanning Services
Elimination of tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike
Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals
Tax on Innovator Drug Companies
Tax on Health Insurers
Biofuel "black liquor" tax hike
Codification of the "economic substance doctrine"

Now let's turn to the second part of Obama's claim: "I lowered taxes over the last two years. I lowered taxes for the last two years."

President Obama's entire claim of being a net tax-cutter rests merely upon the temporary tax relief he has signed into law. The tax increases Obama has signed into law have invariably been permanent. In fact, Obama signed into law $7 in permanent tax hikes for every $1 in permanent tax cuts
Over 90% of the dollar value of the tax cuts Obama signed into law are only temporary
100% of the tax increases Obama signed into law are, however, permanent
Permanent changes to tax law signed by Obama amount to a net tax hike of $618.7 billion

Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at [email protected].

http://www.atr.org/obama-makes-super-false-tax-claim-a5830

SOURCE Americans for Tax Reform