The Top Ten Reasons John Kerry is Wrong for Iowa

George W. Bush ^ | April 25, 2004

[RWR8189]

"Even John Kerry's advisers admit that his plan for $1.9 trillion in new government spending doesn't add up, and Kerry can't pay for it without raising taxes on all Iowans. Kerry's promised tax hikes would destroy Iowa jobs and reverse the economic progress spurred by President Bush's pro-growth policies."
- Steve Schmidt, Bush Cheney '04 Spokesman

1. $1.9 TRILLION IN NEW GOVERNMENT SPENDING

An Updated Analysis of Senator John Kerry's Campaign Promises Shows They Would Cost At Least $977 Billion Over 5 Years And $1.9 Trillion Over 10 Years. This is new government spending on top of the President's budget. The costs are only for 44 out of Kerry's 85 campaign promises. There were not enough details to determine the cost of Kerry's remaining proposals.

2. AGAINST HEALTH CARE FOR IOWA'S SENIORS

Kerry Opposed The Medicare Law That Addresses Iowa's Reimbursement Problem By Providing An Additional $438 Million Over The Next Ten Years To Iowa Health Care Providers. (Sen. Chuck Grassley, "Grassley: Senate Passes Historic Medicare Legislation," Press Release, 11/25/03) Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA) said the Medicare law "goes a long way toward fixing the rural reimbursement problem under Medicare for Iowa." (Rep. Jim Nussle, "Nussle Hails Historic Progress For Iowa As Medicare Bill Passes," Press Release, 11/22/03) Kerry voted against a Medicare Bill in the Senate Finance Committee that contained a $25 billion rural package to increase Medicare reimbursements to states like Iowa and helps equalize Medicare reimbursements in urban and rural areas. (David Pitt, "Grassley Medicare Package Faces Tough Battle In House," The Associated Press, 6/13/03)

3. REPLACING THE PATRIOT ACT

Kerry Wants To Weaken The Patriot Act. The Patriot Act gives law enforcement the same tools against terrorists already used to fight drug dealers and organized crime. Kerry has said, "So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft. That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new law that protects our people and our liberties at the same time." (Remarks By Senator John Kerry, Iowa State University, http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1201.html, Accessed 3/11/04)

4. VOTING AGAINST TROOP FUNDING

Kerry Voted Against The $87 Billion Iraq Supplemental. These funds provided body armor and other force protection measures such as armored Humvees, as well as health care for reservists, support for families and meals for injured soldiers.

5. VOTING FOR HIGHER TAXES

Kerry Voted Against President Bush's Historic Middle Class Tax Cuts In 2001 And 2003. The tax cuts Kerry opposed have directly benefited Iowa: More than 1 million taxpayers in Iowa have seen their income tax bills reduced. Over 280,000 small business taxpayers in Iowa have additional tax savings to invest in new equipment, expand facilities and hire additional workers. More than 370,000 married couples in Iowa are benefiting from marriage penalty relief. Over 280,000 families in Iowa have benefited from the increase in the child tax credit from $600 to $1,000. (U.S. Department Of Treasury, "The Economic Growth And Tax Relief Reconciliation Act Of 2001 & The Jobs And Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act Of 2003 Will Provide Benefits To More Than 1 Million Iowa Taxpayers," Press Release, 4/1/04)

6. HIGHER TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY

Kerry Has Voted For Higher Taxes On Social Security Benefits At Least Eight Times. He also voted to increase taxes on seniors making as little as $34,000 per year. ("The Debate: Sorting Out Fact From Fiction," The Boston Globe, 4/10/96) Seniors make up 14.9% of Iowa's population. (U.S. Census Website, www.census.gov, Accessed 3/15/04)

7. VOTING AGAINST IOWA FARMERS

Kerry Has Called To "Get Rid Of The Agriculture Department." Kerry said, "I think we can reduce the size of Washington… Get rid of the Agriculture Department, or at least render it three-quarters the size it is today; there are more agriculture bureaucrats than there are farmers in this country." (Timothy J. Connolly and Mike Elfland, "Kerry Rips Into GOP On Budget," [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 1/6/96)

• Kerry Has Said That Trade Agreements Such As NAFTA Need To Be Reviewed And "Fixed." (Denis Paiste, "The Talk Turns To Trade," The [Manchester] Union Leader, 1/12/04) Iowa's corn and soybean growers have benefited from NAFTA, exporting over $300 million a year to Mexico. (Philip Brasher, "Candidates' Stand On Trade Is Watched Closely In Iowa," Des Moines Register, 10/6/03)
• Kerry Voted Against An Amendment To Provide Iowa Corn Growers Disaster Relief.
• Kerry Voted Against Ethanol On Numerous Occasions.
• Kerry Missed Vote On Biodiesel.

8. RETREATING ON EDUCATION REFORM

In a 2001 Senate Speech, Kerry Called No Child Left Behind "Groundbreaking Legislation That Enhances … Commitment To Our Nation's Public Education System." Now, Kerry criticizes No Child Left Behind as under funded, despite the fact that President Bush's 2005 budget represents a 48% increase for elementary and secondary education since 2001. According to the Department of Education, as of December 11, 2003, a total of nearly $6 billion in Federal education funds remained unspent, waiting to be drawn down by state officials.

9. HIGHER GAS TAXES

Kerry Has Supported A Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. "Kerry said [the Concord Coalition's scorecard] method did not accurately reflect individual lawmakers' efforts to cut the deficit. ‘It doesn't reflect my $43 billion package of cuts or my support for a 50-cent increase in the gas tax,' Kerry said." (Jill Zuckman, "Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers," The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)

10. AGAINST VETERANS HEALTH CARE

Kerry Voted Against Bill Providing Veterans Health Care Funding. Kerry's vote against the supplemental defense funding included an extra $1.3 billion for veterans' health care. Kerry skipped a vote this year that provided the VA with $28.6 billion for 2004, including $1 billion to expedite the process of benefits claims.

[Buffalo Head]

Thank you for the excellent post.

[Brandon]

With price of gasoline approaching $2 a gallon, this one will get some attention. If Kerry had had his way, we'd be past $2 a gallon, and well on our way to $2.50. That kind of takes the wind out of his sails when he criticizes Bush for not doing enough to keep gas prices down.

[Iowa Granny]

Interesting stuff. We should all probably print this out and have it laminated so it doesn't wear out before the election.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

We need to be writing letters to the editor. Saw our favorite congressman Sat. night.