Jim Martin, “Democrats see our drowning economy and decide to throw it an anvil.”

(Alexandria, Virginia) – By a vote of 51-48, Senate Democrats passed a substantial tax increase yesterday that included a near 60% increase in the death tax that would negatively impact thousands of additional family businesses, farms and ranches.  The tax hike vote, S.3412, drew a strong rebuke from 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin, leader of the nation’s largest conservative seniors organization with over 7.2 million supporters.  Said Martin on the occasion of the Democrat tax hike:

“I’m just astonished at the extent to which the Democrats will go to do willful harm to our economy merely to score political points.  Harry Reid (D-NV) and his cohorts are well aware of the mountain of data that demonstrates that hiking the death tax hike will kill jobs and devastate family businesses, farms and ranches, yet they go forward with the mindless and reprehensible vote regardless because it makes good talking points to their far-left base.

“The Democrats defend their vote by claiming to be champions of middle class tax relief, yet these are the same people and the same party that forced Obamacare on the American people, a bill that raises over 21 taxes on seniors and the middle-class, including higher taxes on things like wheel chairs and health insurance plans.  Senators Reid and Schumer (D-NY) claim they have ‘unhitched’ the middle-class from the rich in this bill, but that’s bunk.  The rich have accountants and tax shelters and will hardly be affected.  Like with so much of liberal economics, the Democrats’ rhetoric hits the rich, but the reality hits small businesses and the middle-class.

“Seniors agree with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that Democrats are engaging in ‘Thelma and Louise politics,’ proposals that take our economy right off a cliff.  Leader McConnell and Senator John Thune (R-SD) should be praised for their principled stand for our economy and for family businesses in the face of this cynical onslaught by the Democrat majority.

“Seniors support the Republican alternative to this bill, which would have preserved the lower tax rates for ALL Americans and businesses, which is hardly a radical plan since the President supported these lower rates until he started campaigning full time.  Our economy is drowning and the Democrats decide to throw it an anvil for politics.  This is just shameful behavior all around.

“This November the seniors who helped build this nation and built our economy with their sweat and toil will remember this attempt by the Democrats to rob them and their families of their life’s work.  A death tax hike spells death for thousands of small businesses, and is the death knell for any hope of turning this economy around.”

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