The night of Herman Cain’s “9-9-9 Plan

Yahoo News ^ | 101111 | Chris Moody

[Fred]

There was one clear winner from Tuesday's Republican presidential debate, based on the simple metrics of name recognition: businessman Herman Cain's "9-9-9 Plan."

Virtually all the candidates at the debate table had something to say about Cain's plan to replace the tax code with three, flat nine-percent federal taxes on consumption, business and income. Cain, once delegated to the remote wings of the debate stage, has enjoyed a surge in the polls ever since he won the straw poll in Orlando, Fla., last month, and at the first debate since he joined former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the top tier, Cain and his policy proposals took up more of the debate's time than the ideas floated by any other candidate.

Of course, this isn't to say that any of them praised Cain's idea. Far from it. In fact, everyone who had an opportunity took shots at the plan.

[Crucial]

I like Herman Cain but I think 999 is DOA. He needs to propose something less radical and simple, like lower the capital gains tax to encourage investment. We don’t have to propose radical plans to beat Obama. It would be nice to flatten the tax code as well but that’s going to be difficult. The national sales tax is a non-starter. Cain has to switch gears in a hurry.

[eyedigress]

It won’t be up to Maryland. All those undocumented druggists on the streets of Baltimore now have skin in the game. Think about it.

[presently no screen name]

I watched for the first time tonight but not the whole debate. I like Rick Santorum and don’t know one thing about him - other than he seemed to be in control - at least for the time I watched.

[OldGoatCPO]

Not criticizing you but really which politician do you really trust? Do you trust Mitt or Perry or Bachmann? Why would you trust any of them. I like some of Santorum’s ideas, Cain is at least not so PC he is afraid to put forth ideas, Romney is McCain 2012 and Perry is the like a broken jack-in-the box. Lots of anti anticipation but no thrill when the lid popped open. These candidates are all flawed, I do not trust any of I just want one further to the right than Obama.

[advance_copy]

I would not vote for Romney to kiss my butt. So I don’t care what his plan is.

As for Perry, I heartily agree with his plan to Drill Baby Drill!

[chesty_puller]

The 999 is a start, but a dangerous one with the IRS still intact. The problem is people like me who no longer pay taxes. (Soc Sec and VA disability). A little old couple in my shoes are going to pay tax that they haven't payed in years. Nine percent sales on top of the 8.5 they already pay=17.5% tax on bread and milk is going to hurt them and the good ole AARP is going to rub it in. I like the Fair tax even though it hurts me, it's good for the country.

Good luck in S Florida.

[advance_copy]

Remember this when your 9-9-9 plan turns into higher and higher sales taxes. Trust me, it will. You can count on it.

[Scotswife]

that’s why I’ve been depressed ever since Paul Ryan ruled out a run.
I didn’t agree with everything he said or did, but he stuck me as the only person who could seriously tackle these issues with some chance of success.

[quantim]

A 2-2-2 is a better idea.

Starve the beast.

[JohnKinAK]

You can’t be so naive as to not know a Bill doesn’t become a Law until passed by BOTH HOUSES and signed by the President, or if Vetoed overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses.

[Pan_Yan]

Wealth redistribution is where you are going with Herman Cain.

In the Navy that's what we called a GCE, or Gross Conceptual Error. The current progressive tax code is the ultimate redistribution scheme. Herman Cain the only candidate talking about getting rid of the progressive tax code and making everyone pay something. Right now almost 50% of our population has representation without taxation. Have you picked a candidate? What tax code do they support?

[Oceander]

Herman Cain needs to stop trying to be a one-note wonder with this catchy, but not particularly good, 9-9-9 plan; he has so many other notes available to him that he could be putting on a symphony and not just the plink, plink, plink of the same note over and over again.

[eyedigress]

I understand the concerns. Taxes are hard to be applied evenly.

[Brandonmark]

[advance_copy]

A gross conceptual error would be one that is blind to the idea of a NATIONAL SALES TAX.

[presently no screen name]

I believe that is what Santorum said, also.

[Crucial]

I felt depressed for a minute. Cain just has to show that he’s not tone-deaf and change his plan. There’s more rhan one way to skin a cat. Americanz will accept a reduced rate on certain business taxes if they think it will help put Americans back to work. The real problem is regulations strangling commerce on every level written by people with zero business acumen.

[Pan_Yan]

Since you didn’t answer my last very simple question let me try another one: Do you support the progressive tax code?

[ImpBill]

You're not alone in the depression department. After watching the whole "show" and contemplating it a bit, I found myself asking, "Is this the best the GOP has to offer?"

The Republic is seriously FUBAR'd! Of course tonight wasn't the first time that revelation has come up.

[richardtavor]

At least it is different, and subject to revision. All of the other candidates stated that they would lower taxes, and increase benefits...I have heard the ‘chicken in the pot’ too many times to believe it. I have no doubt that the theory will not hold up as stated, but it deserves some additive changes to make it better.