RSS Feed Menu
At last night’s Republican debate, Michele Bachmann said “If you turn 999 upside down, the devil is in the details.” It was a clever line. Problem is that when it comes to Herman Cain’s 999 plan, there are no details, because there is no plan. What there is is a slightly longer list of talking points, with something that looks like the protean stirrings of a plan sandwiched between them.
One look at the plan itself proves this. And to any readers who clicked on the link, yes, that is the entire thing. That’s not just an abbreviated talking points-oriented summary. It’s the entire plan. 1140 words, of which only 378 relate to the immediate effects of the plan, or what it consists of. The rest are devoted to bromides (“We can not spend our way to prosperity”), tactical rather than practical reasons for supporting the plan (“unite the “Flat-Taxers” with the “Fair-Taxers”) or bizarre policy non sequiturs whose connection to these specific tax rates is never explained (“launch properly structured Empowerment Zones to revitalize our inner cities”).
Other than implementing the advertised tax rates (which Cain somehow expects to be passed by the Super Committee in spite of the fact that these rates are revenue neutral at best), what does the plan do? Answer: Nothing.
In spite of the presence of the Fair Tax – allegedly a “Phase II” of the plan – the 999 plan offers no concrete steps that will be taken to avoid abuse of what critics like Bachmann and Freedomworks already fear will turn into a VAT. Moreover, its explanation for how Cain will get public opinion on his side raises multiple questions. Cain writes, “I will begin the process of educating the American people on the benefits of continuing the next step to the Fair Tax.” How? With what resources? Will taxpayer dollars involved? Is that legal?
Presumably, Cain means he’ll use the bully pulpit. Apparently the fact that this strategy failed when President Obama tried to use it to promote Obamacare or his jobs bill doesn’t register. Either way, this phase of the “plan” is at best optimistic, and at worst magical thinking.
In essence, the 999 plan is a slogan masquerading as a plan. You could quote the tax rates from it and not have missed anything…well, anything except revenue projections, a political strategy to pass it, job creation projections or methodology. When it comes to economic reform, America needs The Works, and Herman Cain is only offering crazy bread.
Should fit right in with the rest of the GOP’s use of homophobic, anti-science, anti-woman, theocratic slogans masquerading as a political platform.
Why is the mainstream media treating this seriously?
Because 30% of Republicans would vote for this dipsh*t no matter what.
Angry White Guys ™ want their country back and if a black puppet helps them achieve that goal, well praise jeezuz.
Why? For the same reason that the MSM is doing its best to ignore Occupy Wall Street.
Because news reporting has become a business instead of a responsibility that requires integrity?
He’s a better candidate than Palin was. Sad, eh.
The Overton Window has been shifted far into bizarre territory. People now accept, without thought, economic plans that have little theoretical merit or empirical underpinning. People now accept, without thought, political candidates that embody ignorance and incompetence.
Once you open Pandora’s Box, it can’t be closed easily. I don’t think the forces that pushed us in this extreme direction for the last few decades fully understood the ramifications. If they had, they would have turned back.
Just be thankful you’re not a TPer. The best of their best is good only as TP (toilet paper).
I like Cain. But I’m also old fashioned in that I like my presidential candidates to have some experience in a high government position. He needs to serve a term or two as governor and try again.
- DSP
“9-9-9″ is not even a very good slogan.
The “Fair Tax” has a great slogan, but makes about as much sense as Cain’s 9-9-9. Everyone pays less! What a deal!
They’re going to abolish the IRS, but who would collect the Fair Tax?
Cain takes the lead from Romney in newest poll - City-Data Forum // Oct 12, 2011 at 9:43 pm
[...] One look at the plan itself proves this. And to any readers who clicked on the link, yes, that is the entire thing. That’s not just an abbreviated talking points-oriented summary. It’s the entire plan. 1140 words, of which only 378 relate to the immediate effects of the plan, or what it consists of. The rest are devoted to bromides (“We can not spend our way to prosperity”), tactical rather than practical reasons for supporting the plan (“unite the “Flat-Taxers” with the “Fair-Taxers”) or bizarre policy non sequiturs whose connection to these specific tax rates is never explained (“launch properly structured Empowerment Zones to revitalize our inner cities”). Cain’s 999 ‘Plan’ is Just a Slogan | FrumForum [...]
Inverted 999 is 666 which TeaBaggers will demand. Cain’s Plan is not enough. Perry may offer his own 666 Plan.
Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan: 5 reasons to reject it (The Week) | Breaking News Today // Oct 13, 2011 at 11:27 am
[...] masquerading as a plan,” but Cain has no “political strategy to pass it,” says Mytheos Hold at FrumForum. It would never get enough votes in Congress, and if he hopes to use the “bully pulpit” [...]
no news there…..
Sheesh, the kids today. You don’t turn it upside down, you play it backwards.
I think you oversold it Mr.Holt. It’s not even much of a slogan. I read it three times and still haven’t figured out how we will pay for anything.
It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.. in SimCity.
I saw that too. Funny.
Under the Cain plan, most middle class and low-income people would have their tax outlay increased and their benefits reduced. For a family of four earning $50K, the net result would be equivalent to a payroll tax (currently at 14%) jumping to 27%, or from $14K in taxes today, to $27K under the Cain plan.
However, those currently in the 28% tax bracket would see a substantial decrease in their tax outlay. THIS is his idea of a “fair” tax?
Ain’t hurting him.