Oct 26 2008
Spratt and Spencer on the Issues
The Herald interviewed Congressman John Spratt (D-SC-05 Rock Hill, Gaffney, Bennettsville) and Republican challenger Albert Spencer and asked them a few questions on the major issues in next week’s election.
Do you support raising taxes on families making more than $250,000?
John Spratt said, “This doesn’t become an issue until 2010 when the (Bush) tax breaks expire. In 2010, we’ll know then where the economy stands. If the stocks are way down, probably the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress will say it’s not the right time to tamper when the capital gains rates. Until we know what the economy is doing, that issue will be kicked down the road.”
Albert Spencer said, “I don’t support raising taxes on anybody. I think we need to lower taxes. Too many of our paychecks, particularly (in) middle class families, goes to taxes. If we start taxing them in addition to what’s going on with the economy, we’re just going to see continued downfall.”
I don’t believe for one second that Barack Obama will wait until 2010 to raise taxes. It’s not possible for him to do so if he wants to deliver all of his new Socialism. Spratt knows this. Why is he being dishonest about it? Where does Spratt stand on raising taxes? He never answered the question.
What changes, if any, would you make to President Bush’s signature education initiative, No Child Left Behind?
John Spratt said, “I would allow a lot more flexibility with respect to adequate yearly progress. Number two, I would fund it more substantially than it has been. That was part of the deal originally. The program has not been robustly funded.”
Albert Spencer said, “A lot of teachers are telling me there’s too much paperwork involved. We need to look at how we can reduce paperwork and still get the intent across. When the paperwork becomes time-consuming, this becomes a negative. A lot of our teachers have large classes, and it’s very difficult for an educator to do everything in 24 hours a day.”
Both of them gave the wrong answer. No Child Left Behind needs to be completely repealed. It has done nothing to improve education in this country; it has only bogged it down with Federal interference and bureaucracy. The Federal government does not have any Constitutional legitimacy to be involved in education. It is a state and local function.
