Lincoln, however, said that extending the tax cuts for the wealthy should only be done if it can be paid for. "The ultrawealthy, I do not think should receive that tax cut unless it is paid for in a responsible way, and that's an important thing we have Boozman said he supports extending all of the tax cuts and said that not extending them for the higher income taxpayers would hurt small business owners. "The last thing we need to do in this economy is raise expenses on small businesses, especially on small businesses that are making money," Boozman said. "That makes no sense at all."
Lincoln said she worked to make sure the overhaul didn't include a government-run insurance option and helped small businesses. "Where there are places to correct in this bill, I will work hard to make it better. The fact is I'm hearing from Arkansans that there were a lot of things we needed to do and I think this got us started," Lincoln said.
Boozman said he voted against the overhaul because he heard overwhelming opposition from Arkansans to the legislation. "Something needs to be done, but the idea that we've got to do something [in Congress] and that's the solution is what I think is wrong with government," Boozman said.
Boozman and Lincoln sparred over Social Security, taxes and earmarks during the debate. "Sen. Lincoln is a good friend and I admire her, yet we can't afford her anymore," Boozman, a congressman representing northwest Arkansas, said.
Lincoln criticized Boozman for supporting House Republicans' moratorium on earmarks and said that his opposition to money for local projects is harming his congressional district. "The fact is he signed with his party above his state and his district," Lincoln said.
"The 23 percent sales tax is just a bad idea for Arkansans," Lincoln said. "It is replacing your federal income tax with a 23 percent consumption tax on anything you purchase, anything from your bread to your tires to your home to your car."
Boozman defended his position on Social Security and said that private accounts should be looked at as an option. Boozman said that he's open to the idea of the national sales tax and said it would simplify taxes for Americans.
"I think it's something that needs to be looked at. I would love to get rid of the IRS," Boozman said.
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The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press.
Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts by John Boozman. Click here for a profile of John Boozman.
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