I don't know about you, but I like politicians who show me respect by speaking honestly about issues so that I can make informed, intelligent decisions.
In the recent debate, Romney claimed with apparent amazement that he had never heard of companies receiving tax breaks for outsourcing jobs. In truth, the tax code does allow companies to take tax deductions for some expenses incurred when they move operations overseas. Obama is urging Congress to eliminate these deductions and, instead, to give tax credits to companies that move jobs back to the United States. It is hard to believe that Romney, a businessman with so much experience in outsourcing, is unaware of this part of the code.
At another point in the debate exchange, Romney charged that half of the companies that received funding from Obama's green energy stimulus have gone out of business. In fact, out of the three dozen companies involved, only three are in bankruptcy. That's one-twelfth (1/12), not one-half (1/2). Romney either exaggerated or flat-out misrepresented the facts.
Romney is promising to create 12 million new jobs over the next four years. Without explicitly saying so, Romney is banking that Congress will reach some reasonable budget compromise to avoid the sharp tax increases and deep spending cuts of the looming "fiscal cliff." When non-partisan economists make the same assumption, they assess that the Obama administration is already steering the economy in the right direction for creation of about 12 million jobs in the next four years. Romney may sound bold, but he is really making an empty promise.
Romney seems to be using similar number shell games in other areas. He claims he won't cut financial aid to college students, but he intends to cut the Pell Grant program's funding and to bring banks back into the loan process. How do those numbers add up? Obama was able to expand Pell Grants for college students because he cut banks and their billion-dollar fees out of the process.
Romney is promising a huge tax rate cut that he claims will be offset by closing tax credits and loopholes, but he isn't being specific about which tax credits and loopholes, and he isn't being clear where he starts his figuring. Is he assuming that the Bush tax cuts have expired? Non-partisan analysts say there aren't enough credits and loopholes to cover the resulting loss in revenue without greatly increasing the tax burden on the middle class. With Romney and taxes, it's all smoke and mirrors.
I like my politicians to speak clearly and honestly. I don't trust fast-talking, deceptive, shape-shifters who are trying to sell me a line. I'm voting for the truth-teller.
Martha McGovern
Williamstown
