Why are candiates afraid to say their plans might raise taxes? Because we've conceeded that debate

[DrToast]

Taxes are a necessary part of life.

I understand why some candidates don't want to say it. It will be used against them. But it's only an effective attack because we never fight back. We've internalized the idea that taxes are bad in politics.

I would love to see someone say, "Yes, your taxes might go up. Here's why that's a good thing and here's what you're going to get for it."

[BlueMississippi]

1. It is like having one's cake and eating it too

People get to hear about plans totaling 30 to 74 trillion dollars yet no one asks "where would the money come from?" so they get to skate.

[DrToast]

2. In the long run, it's bad for Dems. We need to have this fight that some taxes are worth it.

[GeorgeGist]

3. Exaggerated cost might be a hint.

[hay rick]

4. The moderators are trolling for a gotcha moment.

If they can get a candidate to say that their plan involves raising taxes, that answer will be sold to the American public without the context of reduced overall costs. If the amount people save in the cost of premiums and co-pays exceeds the cost of additional taxes, they should be happy. Given the way the question is framed, our candidates should be wary of being ambushed.

[DrToast]

7. Yes, but the only reason it's a gotcha question is because we accept it as such.

[loyalsister]

5. I think the party has given in and accepted the GOP premise

Taxes are bad, tax breaks are good and you'll never be able to convince the public otherwise.

[DrToast]

6. We definitely have given up, but I'm not sure if we have to

People don’t trust Republicans on taxes as much as they used to.

Nobody believes they’re the party of “fiscal responsibility” anymore.

[loyalsister]

10. I think you're right

But, if the GOP managed to turn around and give away a major middle class tax cut, I would worry.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. Bernie Is Your Man

“Senator Sanders, I’ll give you 10 seconds just to answer the very direct question, will you raise taxes for the middle class in a Sanders administration?” Guthrie asked Sanders.

“People who have health care under Medicare for all will have no premiums, no deductibles, no co-payments, no out-of-pocket expenses. Yes, they will pay more in taxes but less in health care for what they get,” Sanders said.

[DrToast]

9. Bernie deserves credit for that!

I give him props for that.

[TCJ70]

11. For real. I think people value those kinds of straight answers now...

...unfortunately, the debate format rarely allows for thorough discussions, though. While I know I’d probably definitely pay less under a M4A style system (I pay over 12k a year in premiums now) there are definitely people who pay nothing or next to nothing who will pay more.

Fairness is something people value as well...and I believe that as long as someone doesn’t think they’re getting screwed compared to someone else a tax increase is tolerable to the public at large.