Hawaii 2006 Senate Debate: on Tax Reform

Daniel Akaka: The Bush tax cuts helped the richest, not those in need

A: We cannot make tax cuts permanent. Already this year it's projected that we will have a deficit of $600 billion. And this will be passed on. We have to borrow money from China and now Japan as well. The Bush administration took us from a surplus to a multi-trillion dollar federal deficit, and government should be taking care of those in need help the most and not take care of the richest.

Ed Case: Bush tax cuts unaffordable; targeted middle-class cuts ok

A: I voted against that initiative. It was unaffordable, especially as we had already intervened in Iraq, and one could see that was going to be far more expensive than anybody projected. I had voted against some tax cut extensions, especially those for the very upper income families, because I don't think it's fair, or necessary. But I have voted for some extensions that I think have very targeted purposes and are targeted for the middle class.