California State University East Bay

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California State University East Bay

The Pioneer

California State University East Bay

The Pioneer

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Cain Plays Reverse-Robin Hood

Cain’s proposed 9-9-9 tax plan could hurt the lower
class in favor of the upper class.

Once again, we have a case of “it sounds too good to be true emanating from the political sphere” on our hands with Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan.

Former restaurateur and lobbyist turned politician, Cain has been making headlines for the last month after his proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax system. Cain’s plan, entitled “9-9-9,” has been lauded by Cain as a simple, efficient way to get rid of the current system.

Instead of dealing with tax brackets and tax deductions, the plan would impose a 9 percent personal income tax, 9 percent national sales tax and a 9 percent tax on businesses on everyone.

While Cain and his campaign have called the plan a “fair, simple, transparent and efficient” on his campaign website, they have failed to point out that 9-9-9 would result in a tax structure that steals from the poor and gives to the rich.

According to a report issued by the Tax Policy Center, approximately 83.8 percent of tax filers would see an increase in taxes. A large reason for this increase is it requires everyone to pay the nine percent income tax.

According to a report issued by the Joint Committee on Taxation in April, 51 percent of Americans do not have any tax burden to the country. It is that 51 percent, which includes the portion of the population living at or near the poverty level, that will be hit hardest by the 9-9-9 plan.

An even more damning effect of 9-9-9 is the impact it will have on the wealthy. Under Cain’s plan, 95.4 percent of tax filers making over a million dollars would receive a tax cut. The watchdog website politifact.com estimates that the average tax cut for these millionaires would be $487,000.

By jumping onboard with Cain’s 9-9-9 plan, Americans will be funding their government through the hard work of the poor, while the rich will be allowed to save their money for more extravagant purchases.

Now why would Cain propose a solution that the American public should want no part of?

Frankly, this proposed plan reeks of corporate greed, which makes sense considering Cain’s three years working as a lobbyist at the head of the National Restaurant Association.

From 1996-1999 Cain was in the business of lobbying for big business, so his willingness to propose a tax plan that favors the wealthy and big businesses over everyday Americans should come as no surprise.

The facts behind the 9-9-9 plan should convince any American that supporting the candidacy of Cain is detrimental to the health of the government and the American people.

A quick look at his lobbyist past should further cement that view. However, for those who will still continue to support Cain, I have a few words of caution.

If Cain became the Republican nominee, the Democrats will have a field day, illuminating the country on the horror that is his 9-9-9 plan. Pushing for a candidate with such a glaring weakness in their platform would make it difficult to unseat President Barack Obama.

When it comes to Herman Cain and his 9-9-9 plan, just say no.

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California State University East Bay
Cain Plays Reverse-Robin Hood