David Gregory analyzes this morning's Meet The Press including comments from Presidential Candidate Herman Cain that some Americans will pay more under his 9-9-9 economic plan.
The 9-9-9 plan has been the focus of Herman Cain's economic message during this campaign, and the candidate defended his plan on Meet The Press this morning against critics who say he's using "fuzzy math," and charges that it will disproportionately affect the poorest Americans. "Some people will pay more," Cain said. "But most people will pay less."
Asked about the prospect of the 9-9-9 plan getting through a divided Congress, Cain believes it will pass, saying that, if elected, the American people are "going to demand it."
Our discussion also led us to foreign policy. Cain told me his views are influenced by the the writings of Ambassador John Bolton and Henry Kissinger. On Iraq, Cain says he does not agree with the President's plan to withdraw troops, saying if the US leaves, it will, "basically leave that country open to attacks by Iran."
Watch my entire conversation with Herman Cain on our website. Plus, our debate between former Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) (a supporter of Mitt Romney) and Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA) (a supporter of Rick Perry). In that conversation, Former Governor Pawlenty told me he was “disappointed” that Governor Perry had not further distanced himself from recent comments by Pastor Robert Jeffress (and Rick Perry supporter) that Mormonism is a cult.
We'll be back next week. If it's Sunday, it's Meet The Press.
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I find it troubling to hear from David Gregory that Herman Cain is "the man of the moment." This is someone who has proposed erecting an electric fence on the border between Mexico and the United States, a fence that could kill anyone touching it. This would include families, including women and children, taking desperate measures to escape the dangers of life in Mexico and seek safe haven, even though it would be an illegal act. Cain also calls for troops on the border with guns, "with real bullets" that can, like his fence, kill.
Man of the moment? If so, it is a dangerously troublling moment.
David Gregory is correct. Next week/10 days Cain will be old news. Besides the the 'right' will pick him apart-he really is this weeks flavor of the week. I believe, and hate to put it this way, but he was originally just the Reps 'token' (if you will) so it didn't look like the Rep hated non whites/aka black Prez Obama. The Rep party will not accept a black candidate for their nominee. The other thing is.. It is really WAY too early to be speculating as to which candidate is going to wade successfully thru & to the top of the Rep Convention as their 'guy'. They don't like Mitt, but he (or Huntsman) are the only two center enough who could maybe pull the 'I' votes. -- And that is a HUGE maybe. Too many days between now and then.
I too found Cain troubling in that interview and I'm conservative! No abortion for any reason even if the mother will lose her life? No way! Marriage should not be a federal constitutional amendment and allow all states to handle it as they please? No way...then it is a continual mess where people wander from state to state with marriage in one state never recognized in another...it needs to be a federal amendment! The poor and middle class would pay a lot more in taxes clearly with 999 and the only ones who would truly benefit are the rich, who don't care because they're doing fine already! If the U.S. is attacked in the middle of the night he would go to his advisors and say "what are our options"? No way! The president needs to understand the situation and what our options are from previous executive experience and understand executive power and how to use it! He thinks he's going to get the current tax code thrown out and a new one in place because people are cheering for it at his pep rallies, and he's going to tell a team to put together legislation and introduce it to congress? This is the problem with no legislative experience and not the first clue of how to put any together or the difficulties of getting it passed. He doesn't even understand congressional or legislative protocol! This is too much! Wait till the next debate! Romney understands this stuff inside and out...it's coming! Cain's too pig headed to understand what Romney understands...Wall Street and Main Street are inseparably connected and Romney understands how both are important! Cain's still got A LOT to learn and needs to go back and get that executive experience he's badly missing!
The most dangerous group of folks in the United States are the neocons, and Cain never heard of them. This got my attention big time. From what I've seen and heard of his other pretty outlandish statements, he is ill-equipped to take on the job of leader of the free world.
David Gregory, in his quest to appease the right and appear centrist and objective, comes across as a media whore supporting this nut. It was laughable. I don't know whether to feel sorry for David or scorn him for sounding like he was hosting the documentary to Herman Cain's life.
Cain is a refreshing contender. He said in the interview that he was joking about the border fence. WHY do you use it attack him?? btw - what do you propose as a solution for illegal immigration??
Believe me, I was told never touch a hot stove or an electric outlet and either listened or learned the hard way.
I've always advocated that we will accommodate anyone who wants to live here, provided they become sterilized. They didn't agree to this, however.
Cain is dangerous, and lies about his plans. He knows too many of middle American will pay more. But at least the accountants and lawyers won't get rich anymore!
I pay 15.3 % in self employment tax. The tax is based on net income from my business. So things like mortgage interest can't be deducted from the tax. It's actually a high rate to pay every year & part of the tax goes to Social security.
There's no way congress would lower the 15.3% rate to 9%. Social security is basicially BK, so Cains plan would never get past our corrupt congess.
You never asked Mr. Cain ONE question about Medicare, Social Security or Health care, but you did ask him about the Supreme Court and if Iran's recent actions were an act of war. Where do you think these five subjects rank in importance with the American people? The media, just like the politicians, prove over and over again that they just don't get it! I am so disappointed!
Cain just wants the poor to pay the taxes for the rich. The fat cats are holding onto their money and not hiring people in the US. Why do the Republicans think that even lower taxes for them will force them to hire here and not force the US into bankruptcy? Put some tariffs on these companies and see how fast they move back home.
OK -- so I watched Herman Cain on Meet the Press ... interesting guy. But his 9-9-9 plan sucks! He admitted that "some" people may pay more. Like Us! We paid $1,148 in income tax on our 2010 earning...did not itemize (don't spend enough). Using the formula off his website using all our 2010 income (including 100% Social Security Benefits) and taking a $2000 charitable deduction (which would be generous, given our resources), we would owe $3,909!!!!! And then of course, double the sales tax we currently pay --8.13% + 9% = over 17% sales tax too! I don't think I will vote for him! We can't afford him...
Well David you are getting better at pushing back, however, there were many times today that you could have pushed back stronger. When Cain talked about retired people on Social Security and how 999 plan would help them with by not paying capital gains..how many retired people are living on the dividends? He talks about his roots and he's more main stream that the president...if this was the case how come he wasn't in Washington at MLK dedication? Seems he wouldn't be in a position he is now without Dr. King's dream. Also it would have been nice if it came up about how the Koch Brothers are a major contributor to his campaign. Why is it that main stream media will not bring out who the Koch Brother are and what their agenda is? Bottom line, Cain is dangerous, a smooth talker, and a flash in the pan!
Another nut job in a list that the right wing extremists have put forward. That is the reason that the GOP will reluctantly end up with Romney and the president will get his second term.
So the people who don't pay taxes will have to start paying something. After all, they do get the benefits of Medicare, Social Security and other govenment programs.
idiot, even if you do not pay federal income tax, you still pay into Social Security and Medicare from every pay check; also your employer pays into both on your behalf. Idiot!!!!!
Truth is I've paid over a quarter million into social security and medicare in the last 20 years. So, when I finally begin to see some return on that "investment" I should pay tax on it AGAIN? No thank you.
Herman Cain is the first person that has come up with a
fresh plan and understands what is needed to help this country get out of this
downward spiral. I like his answers to the tough questions David Gregory hit
him on. I don’t think anyone else has anything new but the same old ideas that
have not worked. Making the tax code something we can all understand. Something
that the rich and poor only benefit on.
I guess it is dangerous to think out of the box because you are
criticized for not following the plan that we have lived with and has not
produced a lower unemployment percentage. If we don’t make a change in our
direction soon how will we ever grow this economy? The jobs are leaving this country because of
the high tax rate and unless we lower the corporate taxes we must be satisfied
to lose in this global economy.
The Koch Brothers came up with this plan. Not Herman Cain.
So what i heard was that 30 million Americans currently pay no taxes. Who are those 30 million and why don't they pay taxes? Is it because someone developed a tax code to give them tax breaks for having children, buying a home, living beyond their means? I like the idea of an equal opportunity America just like the constitution meant it to be. And, I think of the waste our government has created to spend tax revenues on making "tax codes" just so the financial institutions can think of ways to beat the tax system out of everything they can. And who pays for that you smart assess?
Mr. Cains math, is the political equivalent of taking 1 from 10 and leaving 0, so much for a fast talker and one line devote'. Mr Cain is very misleading, What absolute nonsense is he alluding to in "invisible tax", if its invisible ,how does he establish a basis for quantifying this invisibility, This Abbott and Lou Costello routinue ,that he attempted with the moderator, might be mirth for some. One liners are becoming a dying art ,let him join Henny Youngman, and improve his mantra of FLUFF.
Firstly, let me applaud Heman Cain for at least thinking outside the box, but he forgot
one word - thinking - I don't care where the idea came from, but he can't keep
telling everyone they are wrong without providing a sound economic plan for why
it will work. I don't often agree with Michelle Bachmann, but she's right on
this one - the devil is in the details!
I also find it very interesting that there's no comment from the "No Tax
increase" Tea Party. I guess if you call a tax increase a "restructured tax" then it's not an increase. Or is it not an increase as long as the poor and middle class have to pay it? I was in England when VAT was inacted in the 1970's (similar to a national sales tax) and Mr Cain, prices DO increase - I don't recall anything going down in price!
I have some other questions as well - (a) why are charitable contirubutions
allowed as a deduction - pandering to the right wing? - why should my taxes
contribute to anyone's reduction in their taxes - no exceptions means NO
exceptions; (b) if corporations are "people" then why are they given
any special treatment - tax them on their WORLD WIDE income just like people,
so again should there be NO exceptions, or should they only be allowed to
offset sales taxes paid on their thru-put. Humm? Shouldn't people be allowed
the same option? (A side thought -- If capital expenditures are allowed, then I
forsee houses, cars and all sorts of Greece-type capital expenditures being
purchased by the many new small corporations that will suddenly incorporate! I
guarantee, none will have any gross revenue); and (c) sales tax at 9% - on food
and water?, services? (ask Florida how that went down with the business
community), wholesale activities?, education?, medical & life insurance
premiums, etc, etc (Does anyone else see even more lobbists in Washington?)
One final thought - until this gets sorted out, who in their right minds is going
to start a business in the coming year if Mr Cain could easily put them out of
business? Instead of creating jobs, this proposal will kill any jobs being
created for the coming year or two.
A major concern with Mr. Cains 9,9,9 plan is that it adds a 9% federal sales tax to all new purchases. This equates to HUGE tax increase for everyone who chooses to buy something new. For instance, if your state tax is 7%, the cost of your "NEW" purchase will add an additional 9% for a grand total of 16% in state and federal taxes. This would be devasting to many people, especially the elderly on social security.
9% in "NEW" taxes appears to be a V.A.T. (valued added tax) which I understand is used in Europe, and has not worked out too well. Once it's in it can be increased.
Bottom line is that our government should cut spending and live within it means. Of course a balanced budget would be a great start rather than an adjustable credit limit and unlimited checking account funds.
No, it's because they live in poverty. Ok maybe they are not as impoverished as say the average Middle Easterner or African who live on the equivalent of $3 dollars per day but they are still impoverished. And that comes from many places - lack of health insurance, no transportation, living is squalor (even with the color tv and fridge), neighborhoods where your more likely to hear gun shots than birds sing. Think about it how well would you do living on say $5 bucks a day?
I suggest you get some compassion because gosh you could be on the dole next.
What I heard: With the whole country (and worldwide blogosphere) focused on the real, here & now BIG news in America - the rising up and calling for democracy and economic fairness in America - Meet the Press somehow chose/managed to completely ignore the story which is centered down the street from NBC. Not one word about the truly HUGE story, instead launching right into the circus about NEXT YEAR's election... What about now? Today? The real trending story (which is not reflected in your show's trending echo-chamber numbers, as it was not even presented on today's show, amazingly!) is clearly OWS! Maybe not a whole segment with OWS leaders in New York (to clarify the real issues rather than the media's lumping it all together) - but *something*.
It's like a World War was declared or America hit by a tsunami, and MTP decides it's proper to devote the whole show to 9-9-9 and the political circus within the GOP - the very reason for the bigger story about American's uprising by the 9-9 %. Nein-nein-nein - Meet the Press did not even *mention* the biggest story in America, choosing instead infotainment. That's lost all credibility among a big chunk of faithful viewers, I'd dare say - certainly me. :-(
Looking now at the NYTimes, Reuters, CBS, ABC - everyone is presenting the WORLD news in the context of the 99% movement and events in NY as viewed around the world. Everywhere except Meet the Press, which somehow kept its head soundly in the sand on the REAL news.
OK -- so I watched Herman Cain on Meet the Press ... interesting guy. But his 9-9-9 plan sucks! He admitted that "some" people may pay more. Like Us! We paid $1,148 in income tax on our 2010 earning...did not itemize (don't spend enough). Using the formula off his website using all our 2010 income (including 100% Social Security Benefits) and taking a $2000 charitable deduction, we would owe $3,909!!!!! And then of course, double the sales tax we currently pay --8.13% + 9% = over 17% sales tax too! I don't think I will vote for him! We can't afford it....
to coffeebagger...stop taking comments out of context to stand on a soap box against someone. Cain's electric fence line was directed at a specific audience and was a JOKE, he even said so himself. Stop twisting facts to denigrate a person's character.
Cain explained the hidden taxes in products VERY well--despite David's unbelief and comical outcries against it. Cain explained it very well. There are hidden taxes in EVERYTHING. That always gets passed down to the consumer. 999 Eliminates hidden taxes. Competition kicks in and companies will lower prices accordingly. The sales tax replaces hidden tax with a clear, measurable replacement.
After watching Meet the Press for years, I have concluded their are nothing more than a propaganda mouthpiece for the Political Elite that have literally destroyed our country through mass lies and deceit on programs that really fail to ask the tough questions. Meet the Press and shows like it refuse to ask the really tough questions about the economy, wars and taxes. Instead they have pandered to these politicians. I'd like to see a program where you would get somebody that would confront our Masters of the Universe about the financial keptocracy and Military Industrial Elite of our nation. Why doesn't the Pentagon know where our money is...? Heck they spend enough time checking out Americans, and you can't do that with your computers on defense contractors...? Things just don't add up currently. Let's talk about a failed state of Mexico and the implications for America. What about our current Attorney General Holder and Gun Walker? Let's talk about the Federal Reserve and their relationship with the Treasury.... How much exposure does the U.S. have to the European Banks...? How much are we spending bailing foreign banks out with our tax dollars? Tough Questions. You'll never get them on Meet the Press. This is feel good news service for the well connected to keep the game going.
Of course more people will pay more taxes...the wealthy and the poor. Isn't that what Obama wants? At least to tax the wealthy more. The poor will not only have to pay some tax, but they will also lose the entitlements the middle class have been paying since Congress passed the Earned Income Credit. Who benefits? The overburdened middle class who have been paying the lion's share of this country's tax revenue for decades. It's about time. Unless there is an overwhelming physical or mental reason why a citizen of the United States cannot support him/herself, I am absolutely opposed to paying for them to have, in many cases, a better lifestyle than mine.
I only have one question! How many people eat used food?
Regarding Cain's denial that the 9% sales tax would not be added to the State tax:
Gregory could have stepped in with a real life example of a current State sales tax plus 9% yet failed to do so.
Regarding Cain stating, "the family would need to make that decision" when asked about an abortion when the mother's life was in danger:
Gregory needed to follow up with this but failed to do so, "So if the family decides to terminate the pregnancy, then you are okay with their decision"?
Why the failure to pin this idiot down?
Here is the bottom line. 9% income tax+ 9% sales tax = 18 + the corporation will add the 9% in the price of goods bringing it to 27%, then add the state and county taxes...
Interesting interview. To bad the interview wasn't the whole show. There wasn't enough time to hear more from Herman Cain. Lets see who the Republican Party gives the nod to in Summer 20012.
If he gets in we're screwed even worse than we are now.