Tax Perspectives

Taxes

Conservatives

• Large tax breaks for high earners.

• A myriad of tax code benefits for various high-earning groups.

• Focus on the lowest possible corporate taxes.

• Federal taxes even for the lowest earners so they have "skin in the game."

• A large and growing military budget.

• Stimulate the economy through tax breaks for "the job creators."

Liberals

• Large social safety net.

• A "tax the rich" attitude. Increase business tax rates.

• Increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

• Eliminate tax breaks that allow the rich to pay a much smaller effective percentage of their income than middle- and lower-income earners.

Centrist

• Spend significant time determining which taxes, if any, should be raised and by how much. Generally support only gradual, incremental rate increases for high earners and businesses, with changes scheduled well in advance.

• City, state, and federal governments require tax revenue to fund public workers and services for the American people.

• Any rate increase must be supported by careful analysis justifying the need.

• Increases should have broad buy-in from businesses and the public before implementation.