Fred Thompson on the Issues

Bella Online, The Voice of Women ^ | September 24, 2007 | Linda Sue Grimes

[WOSG]

“Oh, Fred knows the difference, but he knows he’s speaking to some folks who wouldn’t know a constitutional republic if it bit them in the butt. He’s speaking to folks exactly where they are, ...”

So he’s insulting us by talking down to us? ... Please stop. You are digging the hole deeper.

“and they seem to like him.”
I would like him better if he had precision and accuracy in his pronouncements, and I’m sure the folks who supposedly wouldn’t know better wouldn’t mind it either.

[SuziQ]

He’s not ‘talking down’ to anyone, he’s simply meeting some folks where they are. Are you denying that most folks don’t know the difference between a democracy and a representative republic? Just having someone as a candidate who talks up Federalism will go a long way towards educating voters. That’s a great thing!

[calcowgirl]

"And while we don’t know for certain how or why climate change is occurring,
it makes sense to take reasonable steps to reduce CO2 emissions without harming our economy. "

SAY IT AIN'T SO, FRED! (Dispatch Inhofe, post haste.)

[Man50D]

Rather than assume Thompson supports Fair Tax, it would be better to have quotes of Thompson himself stating his position on the FAIR Tax. has he made a statement clearly on this?

You are misreading my statement in post #5. "The Fair Tax Act Of 2007 (H.R.25/S.1025) that is currently before Congress addresses these very points. Fair Tax ping! ". It is a fact the points he outlines for tax reform match those features found in the Fair Tax. Regardless of that fact Thompson wrote the following letter to Americans For fair Taxation Chairman Leo Linbeck Jr.:

"Dear Leo:

I've appreciated seeing the Fair Tax folks when I'm out on the road, as well as their enthusiasm when they've come to my events. Although I wish they'd get my good side when they roll their cameras!

My staff and I have been working with Americans for Fair Taxation for some time now. We share the same belief that the next President should enact a fundamental overhaul of the tax code that makes it fairer, simpler, and more pro-growth. There are a number of ways to do that, and over the years I've looked at many of them. Congress must begin a serious consideration of real fundamental tax reform, rather than nibbling around the edges. I think the principles and ideas found in the Fair Tax are a good place to start, particularly given the grassroots support it enjoys across the country. Good luck in Iowa this weekend!

Regards,
Fred Thompson

Some people argue this is not an endorsement of The Fair Tax but there are three key points in the letter that prove otherwise. 1) Fred stating he and his staff have been working extensively with American For Fair Taxation. 2) The principles in his remarks on tax reform "principles of simplicity, fairness, and growth" exactly match those in those principles stated in his letter to Leo Linbeck. 3) His support for the principles in The Fair Tax.

The principles are the core of The Fair Tax. Therefore it would be impossible not to support The Fair Tax while supporting those principles. Some also argue it is possible to maintain only some of the elements in The Fair Tax while discarding the rest of the bill. It would no longer be The Fair Tax Act Of 2007(HR) and defeat the whole purpose of the bill. Sponsor Congressman John Linder and many Fair Tax leaders have stated the bill must pass without change.

[kellynla]

"Where are the details? How is he going to enforce the immigrant laws? What will he do differently? What kind of tax is he talking about that gets rid of the IRS and makes US products more competitive? Details, details, details!"

I agree! I like Fred Thompson as a person. And I believe he will be the GOP candidate next year and will beat Clinton BUT I want some SPECIFICS! Thompson needs to come forward with what "webboy45" calls "details!" I'm tired of politicians speaking rhetoric. I want to know details and specifics too!

[WOSG]

“Fred could talk about specifics all day, but that doesn’t mean what he wants done will get done.”

OR ... he can’t talk vague happy talk about dissolving the IRS without telling us exactly how taxes are to be cut, and thereby avoid *any* accountability to actually achieving anything!!!

Nice job if you can get it.

“The President is not a dictator, and he doesn’t file legislation.”
On the contrary, some of our most successful legislation has been crafted with the executive branch’s input, including specific legislation.

It was the “Reagan Tax Cuts” and “Bush Tax Cuts” because they were there in the trenches asking for *specific provisions*.

[WOSG]

“He’s not ‘talking down’ to anyone, he’s simply meeting some folks where they are. Are you denying that most folks don’t know the difference between a democracy and a representative republic?”

‘where they are’? I’m in Texas. I am denying that he needs to be patronizing like that. I dont see other GOP candidates doing that. That’s the kind of junk Al Gore would pull, talking to us like 5th graders. That would be a big phony act if true, and we don’t need phony candidates.

[SuziQ]

‘where they are’? I’m in Texas. I am denying that he needs to be patronizing like that. I dont see other GOP candidates doing that.

Congratulations on being a savvy citizen! Most FReepers, are. However, as several threads on FR in the last week have shown, many are not, and they do need to be educated about this country. I'm glad Fred is doing this, and with his speaking style, they won't think they're being 'talked down to', as they might if they were being spoken to by Her Heinous. But then, she wouldn't be trying to educate any of them anyway; it's in her best interest to keep them uninformed.